[外電] They've Got a Shot
They've Got a Shot
It all goes according to (game) plan for Clippers, who even the series
By Jason Reid, Times Staff Writer
May 11, 2006
PHOENIX — It might be time for the Phoenix Suns to prepare for another
long postseason rumble, or at least settle in for a tougher fight.
The Clippers made their intentions known Wednesday night, routing the
Suns, 122-97, in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals at US
Airways Center.
Propelled by strong defense and balanced offense (the Clippers had six
players in double figures, including all five starters), they started
fast, floored the accelerator in the middle and finished strong.
The team executed Coach Mike Dunleavy's defensive game plan much better
than in Monday's 130-123 Game 1 loss, containing Phoenix point guard
Steve Nash while slowing down the league's highest-scoring team.
The Clippers evened the best-of-seven series, 1-1, and gave the Suns a
lot to consider before Game 3 on Friday at Staples Center.
The Suns overcame a 3-1 deficit in defeating the Lakers in the first
round, and could have more heavy lifting ahead.
"We needed this game," point guard Sam Cassell. "We didn't want to go
back to L.A. down two. We just got together and said, 'We're going to
play harder, we're going to rebound…. We're going to execute our
offensive and defensive game plan.' That's how we had success today."
Power forward Elton Brand had an impressive encore to his 40-point
performance in Game 1, scoring a game-high 27 points and grabbing 10
rebounds. Cassell, who had 28 points in the opener, also delivered
again, scoring 23 points with six assists.
Their teammates provided more help this time.
Swingman Cuttino Mobley rebounded from a one-for-six performance,
scoring 23 and grabbing eight rebounds.
And despite foul trouble, center Chris Kaman had 14 points and 16
rebounds. He played a key role in the Clippers having a 57-26 rebounding
advantage, including 19-5 on offensive rebounds.
In Game 1, the Clippers grabbed five more total rebounds than the Suns.
"The first game, we let 'em take advantage a little bit," Kaman said.
"[Phoenix forward] Shawn Marion had [15] rebounds, and that shouldn't
be like that. We came back and tried to go hard. We tried to get our
guys in there and rebound, and we were able to do it."
The Suns didn't hit the mark as well from the field, dropping from 54.7%
shooting to 45.6%. The falloff was even more significant on three-
pointers: 44.4% to 34.6%.
When shots missed, the Clippers were often first to the ball.
"That's what we have to do," said forward Vladimir Radmanovic, who had
10 points and nine rebounds while playing well for Kaman.
"They missed their shots, and the only way for them to stay in the game
was to get rebounds. We were all together tonight. Everyone did their
jobs."
And the Clippers accomplished their No. 1 goal: getting the job done on
defense. The Suns are 0-4 in the playoffs when they fail to score at
least 100 points.
Nash had 14 points and eight assists in Game 2. He had 31 points and 12
assists in Game 1, and the Suns scored 33 fewer points, so that's
improvement.
"Most definitely, because they didn't score 130," said swingman Quinton
Ross, who guarded Nash and scored 11 points. "We just came out more
focused to stop their transition game, and when they had looks, we just
got out and contested shots."
Not surprisingly, Dunleavy was pleased.
"Our low-post game got kicked into gear, but the main thing was our
defense," he said. "We did a much better job on coverages."
Brand and Cassell opened the game shooting well, and the Suns didn't,
helping the Clippers sprint to a 20-6 lead. The Clippers went ahead by
as many as 17, and took a 38-22 lead into the second. It was a team
postseason record for points in a quarter.
They took a 65-51 halftime lead and weren't threatened.
So now the Suns return to Staples Center, where they defeated the Lakers
in overtime of Game 6.
This time, however, they're facing the Clippers.
"We came here to steal one and we got it," Radmanovic said. "Now, we
have to go try to win both on our home court. No letting up now."
--
你們認為海南高高在上,位於雲端嗎?他們真的就這麼高不可攀嗎?
他們的成績的確是有目共睹的。以他們過去的戰績來看,我們和海南的確有天壤之別。
但是----
我在睡前,都會想像著有一天......
我每晚都在腦裡描繪我們和海南大學附屬高中參加IH的戰況。
從那一年前起,每晚都如此!
--
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