Chapter 701: First Quarter Explosion
Chen Yan's mentality remained unaffected by the previous sequence.
It was merely a small interlude in an intense and thrilling game.
After receiving the ball, Chen Yan immediately called for a pick and roll.
Then, with a no look pass, Chen Yan found Curry, who had run into open space.
Curry released the ball at lightning speed.
The shot was incredibly quick.
Swish!
The 3 pointer dropped through the net.
Chen Yan recorded another assist, and Curry also opened his scoring account.
On the next possession, Miami decided to attack the paint.
Pau Gasol went high and strong, but his hook shot missed.
After the shot, Pau Gasol signaled that Kenyon Martin had fouled him, but the referee ignored him.
This was not Miami's home court.
The referees would not give the Heat as many free throws as they had in Game 1 and Game 2.
On the other side, the Knicks began attacking the paint more frequently.
They knew this was New York territory, and the referee's whistle would definitely lean more toward them.
Miami also understood that the calls in this game would favor the Knicks, so their defensive movements were not too aggressive, and their own drives to the basket noticeably decreased.
This was the advantage of playing at home.
It could pressure the opponent psychologically as well.
With 2 minutes remaining in the 1st quarter, the Knicks led 26 to 20.
Curry and Kenyon Martin went to the bench to rest, while Chen Yan continued playing with a mixed lineup.
Many people complained that Nelson overused Chen Yan, especially during the Playoffs.
But the reality was that Chen Yan was New York's stabilizer.
If he were abruptly taken off the court, the entire situation of the game could change dramatically.
For Chen Yan, being heavily used was something he had long been accustomed to.
D'Antoni had used him this way during his years with the Suns.
New York offensive possession.
After Barea brought the ball past half court, he quickly passed it to Chen Yan with a crossover.
The fans cheered loudly.
Now, as long as Chen Yan was on the court, even if he did nothing for 3 seconds, the home fans felt as reassured as if they had taken a calming pill.
Wade had already gone to the bench to rest, and James Jones was now defending Chen Yan.
James Jones aggressively closed in, waving his arms.
His defensive enthusiasm was undeniable, but his athleticism was average.
Chen Yan quickly dribbled the ball, and Turiaf came up to set a screen.
James Jones caught a glimpse of Turiaf in his peripheral vision and tried to go around the screen, but Chen Yan suddenly changed direction with a body fake, accelerating past him in the opposite direction.
James Jones did not have Wade's strong mobility and could not keep up with Chen Yan immediately.
Joel Anthony quickly stepped back to prevent Chen Yan from driving.
Chen Yan ended his sprint by planting his toes and retreating beyond the 3 point line.
This step back was smooth and effortless, filled with rhythm.
After creating space, Chen Yan shot decisively.
"For three!"
Accompanied by the sharp voice of the arena announcer, the basketball fell into the net.
29 to 20.
"Chen Yan's 3 pointer is good!" Barkley said. "That is his 16th point in the 1st quarter."
"And every single one has been difficult," Kenny Smith said with a laugh. "It is clear his hand is blazing hot today. Miami has not been able to limit him."
Nelson continuously applauded from the sideline.
He gave Chen Yan unlimited shooting freedom.
He wanted to concentrate all the shots in Chen Yan's hands and let him defeat Miami by himself.
Chen Yan had that ability.
And he had proven it more than once.
Miami offense.
James called for the ball and began backing down Battier.
After turning, James faked a shot but did not shoot. Instead, he chose a layup with an up and under move.
The Knicks bench players all stood up at the same time, placing their hands on their chests and circling them frantically.
This shot had the possibility of being a travel.
James pivot foot had moved, but the referee did not call it because his movement was very fluid.
James shot was a bit soft, and he missed it.
Pau Gasol followed up and tipped in the rebound.
29 to 22.
New York offensive possession.
Barea brought the ball across half court and passed it to Chen Yan at the top of the arc.
Chen Yan caught the ball and immediately shot, handling the offense very simply on this possession.
The basketball's trajectory was perfectly straight.
Chen Yan held his shooting hand high, waiting for the sweet sound of the net.
Swish.
Another make.
32 to 22.
2 consecutive 3 pointers directly ignited the home court.
"Get on him!"
Wade, sitting on the bench, directly expressed his dissatisfaction with James Jones defense.
In fact, James Jones had not been distracted or careless on that play.
He had simply overthought it, unable to determine whether Chen Yan would drive or shoot.
Because he did not have Wade's physical ability, once Chen Yan made his move, James Jones could not keep up.
James dribbled the ball across half court himself.
He loved playing the role of point guard.
Before entering the league, James template had been Magic Johnson, and his court vision and passing ability did indeed show that potential.
James passed the ball to James Jones at the top of the arc and then posted up.
Another back to the basket play.
After gaining weight, James often initiated offense from the post, but James post skills and strength were not proportional.
He often failed to push back smaller and weaker players.
James bumped Battier twice, then immediately turned and kicked the ball out.
Miller in the corner did not have a shooting opportunity, so he faked once, then drove to the mid range area and shot a jumper.
Chen Yan was faked out at 1st, but he quickly recovered and almost completed the block.
Miller was also startled.
He did not expect Chen Yan to catch up to this shot.
In his haste, Miller's shot was quite wild.
The basketball hit the backboard and bounced out.
Pau Gasol gained favorable position in the paint battle.
Turiaf's physique was not on the same level as his, and during the scramble, Pau knocked the ball out of bounds.
It was still Miami possession, but only 8 seconds remained on the shot clock.
After the inbound pass, James was not in a hurry to attack.
Just as everyone was preparing to clear out for his isolation, James took 1 step, then suddenly raised his hand and passed the ball.
The Knicks players were prepared.
They also understood James offensive habits very well, and neither corner was left open.
Miller could not shoot after catching the ball.
Dribbling in front of Chen Yan was too risky, so he could only lob it into the paint.
Pau Gasol received the ball and made a half turn.
His position was blocked, and his footwork was not very comfortable, so he chose to pass the ball out to James on the perimeter.
James did not hesitate for even a moment, immediately swinging the ball again.
Joel Anthony received the ball and passed it again.
The ball moved around like a game of hot potato, eventually landing in James Jones hands.
Jones had already checked the shot clock.
There was not enough time for a normal shot.
As the ball came toward him, he hit it out like a volleyball.
This shot showed plenty of imagination, but the difficulty was too high.
It hit the front rim and bounced out.
"Miami should not have played it like that," Barkley complained. "They should have shot earlier."
"Exactly," Kenny Smith said. "They passed too much and had too many ideas. Sometimes the most threatening play is the simplest one."
As the 2 commentators spoke, Chen Yan had already burst into the paint with lightning speed.
Without slowing down, Chen Yan used a Euro step, instantly dazzling James and Chalmers.
He drove all the way for a layup.
Extremely easy.
Extremely graceful.
Barkley shouted excitedly, "24 points in the 1st quarter! Chen Yan has exploded in the opening period!"
.....
https://discord.gg/KvMN2CFsMR
[If you don't want to wait for the next update, read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon.]
[[email protected]/FanficLord03]