Chapter 628: Rhythm Trap
On Phoenix's next offensive possession, Nash showed his aggressive side.
Nash dribbled with his left hand to the left 45 degree angle beyond the 3 point line, then passed the ball to Chen Yan.
Chen Yan immediately sent it back.
The 2 played a quick give and go, almost like a wall pass in soccer.
After receiving the return pass, Nash crossed over and drove inside the 3 point line. Then he hit another crossover, throwing Kidd off balance before rising into a mid range jumper.
The score became 7 to 4.
On the next possession, Kidd once again brought the ball across half court at a controlled pace.
Nowitzki received the ball outside the 3 point line, then looked for Ray Allen.
Ray Allen immediately transferred the ball inside without stopping it.
Haywood caught the pass and took 3 steps. Under Jordan's interference, he slammed the ball hard off the backboard.
It was a bit off, but understandable.
Haywood was not known for that kind of finish.
Nash took the ball and drove.
First, he crossed over to his left hand and penetrated inside the 3 point line. Then he hit another crossover.
The sequence was identical to the previous possession, but this time, Kidd did not lose his balance.
Nash was a guard who adjusted on the fly. If the opponent did not bite, he could not simply take the same jumper as before.
After calling for a screen, Nash drove left, then suddenly went behind his back.
Using his agility, Nash broke into the paint.
However, Kidd did not lose position and stayed with him.
Kidd was extremely experienced. As Nash began his drive, Kidd subtly applied a little force with his hand.
This kind of contact was usually hidden from the referee and would not be called a foul.
Kidd was much stronger than Nash. With only a slight push, the fast moving Nash lost his balance.
As he flew toward the baseline, he located Chen Yan and threw the ball out.
That was the difference between a top player and an ordinary one.
Top players could still adapt under pressure and make the right adjustment.
After Chen Yan received the ball, Artest, who had originally prepared to collapse into the paint, rushed out.
Chen Yan did not use a fake.
A simple burst of acceleration was enough to blow past him.
Facing the slightly crowded paint, Chen Yan did not dodge. Instead, he charged straight in with a second burst of speed.
Dirk Nowitzki raised his hand to swat the ball as Chen Yan gathered to take off, but Chen Yan was too fast.
Dirk's hand had only just come up when Chen Yan had already flashed past him.
Haywood's instinctive reaction to such an impact was simply to raise both hands.
Chen Yan jumped in front of him, glided to his side, and finished the layup.
9 to 4.
This possession fully displayed Phoenix's dual core individual ability.
Nash and Chen Yan took turns driving, tearing Dallas's defense into disorder.
Seeing Phoenix begin to apply pressure, the Mavericks were not willing to back down.
Kidd brought the ball to the front court and passed it to Nowitzki for an isolation.
Dirk Nowitzki was Dallas's nuclear weapon.
Nowitzki held the ball over his head, and all the Mavericks players spread out, allowing him to attack Diaw 1 on 1.
After 3 seconds, Nowitzki began his move.
First, a jab step.
Then another jab step.
Nowitzki probed while watching Diaw's feet.
Suddenly, he pulled up from a standstill.
Dirk had noticed that Diaw's defense had loosened slightly. After the second jab step, Diaw had taken a small step back.
"Swish!"
The basketball dropped cleanly through the net.
It was a high post 2 pointer.
9 to 6.
Jordan quickly inbounded the ball.
The camera focused on a closeup of Nowitzki after his isolation score.
But just as the broadcast cut back to a wide shot, Chen Yan was already soaring through the air and dunking the ball.
11 to 6.
Charles Barkley exclaimed, "What just happened? That was an alley oop!"
Kenny Smith shook his head. "The camera could not even keep up. In that quick flash, we saw Steve Nash throw the pass to Chen Yan. Those 2 connected again."
After landing, Chen Yan pointed at Nash.
Artest and Kidd, who were standing nearby, looked at each other and shrugged.
Neither of them had guarded Chen Yan off the ball, but Artest bore more responsibility. After all, Chen Yan was his primary assignment.
That play hurt Dallas's morale a little.
Head coach Rick Carlisle could not help shouting from the sideline. He was not truly angry. He was reminding his players to pay more attention.
Kidd slowly controlled the ball across half court again.
Dallas ran a simple set, and Ray Allen curled to the top of the arc to receive the pass.
After Ray Allen caught it, Haywood immediately came up to set a screen, blocking Chen Yan in front of him.
Jordan switched onto Ray Allen, while Haywood rolled inside.
Ray Allen saw the mismatch and decisively passed the ball into the paint.
Haywood thought Ray Allen was going to shoot and was preparing to rebound, so the 2 had a miscommunication on this possession.
The pass hit Haywood in the head and bounced away.
Fortunately for Dallas, luck was on its side.
Artest secured the loose ball.
Not only did Artest recover the possession, he also spun past Grant Hill.
After 1 dribble, Artest entered the 3 point line.
With no one guarding him, Artest jumped, but he did not shoot. Instead, he threw the ball to Haywood in the paint.
Phoenix's big men were all on the perimeter at that moment.
Haywood scored with a 2 handed dunk with little interference.
11 to 8.
Suns offense.
Chen Yan called for the ball outside the 3 point line.
After Nash crossed half court, he immediately delivered the pass.
Chen Yan had just scored 4 straight points with his driving force, and he was clearly in rhythm.
Chen Yan held the ball with 1 hand while Artest pressed him closely.
There was emotion in Artest's defense. He had not only failed to guard Chen Yan well at the start, he had also been humiliated by that chase down block.
Chen Yan did not want to get tangled up with him, so he waved for a screen.
Jordan screened Artest, and Chen Yan used the opening to drive left inside the 3 point line.
Artest squeezed past Jordan's screen with determination, trying to chase Chen Yan from behind.
Whether for the team or for his own pride, he did not want Chen Yan to score again.
Chen Yan ignored Artest's pursuit.
His eyes were fixed only on the basket.
He drove all the way to 1 step inside the free throw line, then finished the attack with a fadeaway mid range jumper.
13 to 8.
On this play, neither Haywood in the paint nor Artest on the perimeter could stop Chen Yan.
Haywood did not dare to press too far forward because he feared Chen Yan's speed.
Artest, meanwhile, was about to catch up from behind when Chen Yan suddenly faded left into his jumper, leaving Artest with no angle to contest.
Rick Carlisle thought for a moment, then called timeout.
The reason for his hesitation was simple.
It was a little too early to call timeout.
But not calling one seemed even more dangerous.
Phoenix's pace had suddenly increased.
As unwilling as Dallas was to admit it, the Mavericks had fallen into the Suns' rhythm trap during these 2 minutes.
…..
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