One Guard

Judging from the history of the last ten years, the Trail Blazers can definitely be called a strong team. Although the lineup and members of this team have undergone large-scale replacements since entering the 21st century, the results are not as brilliant as in the 1990s. But the Blazers seem to rarely retreat from the position of "Western Powerhouse".

Of course, this year, Greg Oden was reimbursed for the season, and Brandon Roy was sidelined indefinitely again because of knee soreness after playing a few games. The Portland Trail Blazers can only be regarded as a second-rate team at best.

But even so, the Mavericks dare not say that they have 100% certainty to win the Trail Blazers. You know, the Dallas Mavericks have never been a giant, and they also lost their star.

But now it is meaningless to mention how brilliant the past achievements are. The Trail Blazers can still be regarded as a second-tier team. When the Mavericks lost Dirk Nowitzki, they were considered by the media to be weaker than the Trail Blazers. a lot before...

Of course, it is not entirely unreasonable for journalists to think so. In the team's five games without Nowitzki, the Mavericks have only won two of them. Moreover, in these 5 games, the Mavericks even lost to the Raptors who were at the bottom of the league and the Bucks who lost Brandon Jennings. If it wasn't for meeting the Cavaliers who aim to lose more in time, the Mavericks' losing streak might not stop so quickly.

Under this series of difficult questions, Carlisle has also become a favorite of reporters recently.

"Losing Dirk is indeed difficult for us, but I believe the boys in the team will not be intimidated by this difficulty. As for you asking me about the result of tonight's game, sorry, I really don't know how the game will be. , I have no comment." Squeezing out from the crowd of reporters, Carlisle walked quickly into the locker room. Originally, I just went to the car to find the glasses I forgot to take off, but I was caught by the reporters.

After closing the locker room door, Carlisle felt his ears become quieter in an instant. Looking at the players who were seriously putting on their equipment, the academic coach felt very relieved. When the whole world felt that the Mavericks would continue to lose, at least they themselves hadn't given up.

"Boss, everyone is well prepared." At this time, Nowitzki in a suit walked up to Carlisle with a walking stick. Although the German can rest at home during the injury, he still insists on attending all home games. With Dirk around, even if they just sit on the sidelines, the Mavericks players will feel more at ease.

"Well... today's game is not easy, Dirk." Carlisle did not hide his worry, although his heart was full of desire for victory. But the NBA is not a place where you can survive just by desire.

"LaMarcus?" Nowitzki also guessed Carlisle's concerns.

"Who else?" Carlisle smiled wryly, then put on his glasses, and began to write and draw on the tactical board.

The absence of Nowitzki also means that the Mavericks now have absolutely no players who can match up with Aldridge.

Today, when both Oden and Roy have fallen rapidly, Aldridge, the No. 2 pick in 2006, has played his own worth, giving the Trail Blazers hope.

This season, Aldridge's scoring average rose to a career-high 21.8 points. And even in the last match against Nowitzki, Aldridge scored 35 points. Today, Dirk Nowitzki is injured and absent, God knows how many points that guy can score.

If Carlisle uses Petro and others to play the fourth position, then Aldridge's footsteps can allow him to easily break through the defense. If Cardinal and Marion are allowed to play the fourth position, they will suffer too much in terms of height.

But Carlisle had no choice, and that's why Carlisle was anxious about the game. Although those media people hate it, they have to admit it. The Mavericks' odds today,

It's really not big!

On the other side, in the away locker room of the American Airlines Center Arena, the players of the Trail Blazers were screaming one by one, full of murderous intent.

The Trail Blazers have just won two consecutive victories after losing Roy, which undoubtedly gave them a lot of self-confidence. And Aldridge didn't forget how he lost when he scored 35 points last time.

After that game, Aldridge told himself that he must win it next time. Now, it's time to win back!

"Hit the ball inside and into LaMarcus's hands! Remember what we learned during training. Today, we must capture Dallas!" Nate McMillan waved the marker pen in his hand. Yell at the players. At this moment, he doesn't look like a coach at all, but like a general who boosts morale on the battlefield.

For a team like the Trail Blazers hovering on the edge of the playoffs, winning every game is particularly important. Since the team is unwilling to completely rebuild, then use the victory to bring the Blazers back on track!

"Roar!" The Trail Blazers players responded to their coach's request with loud roars. Aldridge, who was usually silent and quiet, roared the loudest. If the Germans are not here today, I will definitely rule the audience!

※※※

On the basketball court, the reporters have already set up their "long guns and short guns" and are waiting for the players from both sides to warm up. Mu Ran stood under the basketball hoop and looked towards the player tunnel, but he didn't see anyone.

"Why are you in a hurry, Mu, it's still early for the game." Next to Mu Ran, a colleague elbowed Mu Ran who stretched his neck.

Mu Ran looked at his watch. Indeed, there is still a long time before the start of the game, and the players usually don't warm up so soon. For some reason, Mu Ran felt that he was more nervous than the Trail Blazers players.

Because if this game cannot be won, the Mavericks will bear a greater burden when they face the Thunder, Magic and other teams. If it doesn't work out, it will be another series of losing streaks.

It can be said that whether this game is played well or not will set a tone for the Mavericks' future progress. Therefore, the importance of this game is actually beyond the imagination of many people.

Mu Ran naturally didn't want the Mavericks to experience a losing streak. After Yiyang joined the Mavericks, many Chinese fans regarded it as their home team, and Mu Ran was no exception. And who would want to see the team they support lose?

"I'm a little worried. The Mavericks are currently in the fourth position. It's really too empty. And the strength of the Trail Blazers is precisely the fourth position." Mu Ran took a deep breath and let himself relax a little.

"There's nothing to worry about. The Mavericks won last time." Mu Ran's colleague replied disapprovingly.

"But last time, the Mavericks had Dirk."

"Have you forgotten, Mu Ge, the last time the two sides fought, Nowitzki was almost blown away by Aldridge. He allowed Aldridge to score 35 points with 53% shooting. Today, Aldridge's score And the hit rate couldn't be more exaggerated than this. And that day, Dirk was completely suppressed on the offensive end. In the end, it was Yiyang's 23 points, 10 assists, 4 steals and the last 30 seconds. The key performance allowed the Mavericks to narrowly win by 4 points." The reporter wearing glasses said vividly, it seems that in the game a month ago, Yiyang's performance left a deep impression on him.

"You mean..."

"I mean, last time the Mavericks won against the Trail Blazers, it was not the Germans, but Yiyang. So today, just wait and see." Mu Ran's colleague blinked at him, and at this moment , Someone came out from the player channel.

Mu Ran and the surrounding reporters immediately raised their cameras, and the sound of "click click" shutters completely surrounded the area.

As before, Yiyang was still the first to step onto the court and start warming up. He did some leg presses on the court and some warm-ups before he picked up the basketball and shot.

Yiyang has already developed these good habits when he was playing under Stevens. And this is also the basic guarantee that Yiyang has always been very healthy.

Two minutes later, a guy in training uniform came out from the player tunnel at the other end of the court. The lanky player ignored Yiyang, but began to shoot and warm up on his own.

"Aldridge came really early today!" The reporters all pointed to the other half and muttered. In the last game against the Rockets, Aldridge scored a double-double of 25 points and 11 rebounds. It is in good condition. Judging from his warm-up performance today, Aldridge's touch is still very hot.

At this time, licensed reporters have already entered the field and started interviewing the players. In the stands, more and more fans wearing Mavericks blue T-shirts also took their seats.

Mu Ran took a deep breath, and seemed to smell a strong smell of gunpowder smoke.

Two silent guys who don't even bother to look at each other could provide fans with a frenzied game of restlessness...  

Isn't it the Germans who win the game? Well, it depends on your performance, Yiyang!