Henson was a little nervous, but the Pacers players were more confident in the game.

Far from being discouraged, the players were desperate to get one back after being beaten by James. I have to say that the team that is more frustrated and courageous is often the most terrible team. And the current Pacers are clearly in such a virtuous circle, and although they lost the last game, their morale is still high.

David. West even bluntly said in an interview before the game: "Although Sean tried to scare me with those dirty methods, I will attack bravely as always, and he can't scare me." ”

"The last one we had was a shutout, and it showed that we were cornered by the Miami Heat. That kind of ball doesn't mean they're much better than us, and I'm sure even LeBron. James can't take advantage of that opportunity every game. Paul is also very confident, after all, they went through more difficult situations last season, but still won the series and the championship after that.

Sometimes, even if you don't have morale-boosting words, the players can adjust themselves. For a team with 72 wins, a loss in one game is not enough to break them.

Today, the biggest change for the Pacers is undoubtedly the replacement of Danny with Leonard. Green. Leonard is back in the starting line-up, something Spoelstra and James had anticipated. Before the game began, James' eyes were fixed on Leonard. He hasn't forgotten how he was defended by Leonard in the playoffs last season.

If anything, Henson's sudden change of starters last season was quite surprising. So this season, Henson's letting Leonard play as a starter is expected. Everyone knows that Leonard is the key point in containing James, and it is only a matter of time before Henson makes him a starter.

But Henson still believes that Leonard's ability is definitely beyond most people's expectations.

Throughout the regular season, including the first two rounds of the playoffs, Henson did not completely liberate Leonard. For one, the Pacers' performance is stable, and there is no reason to break it. Second, Henson also hopes that Leonard can accumulate more experience and use it as a secret weapon to use when he needs it most.

Now, it's time. Leonard's ability is already more powerful than people think, not to mention after getting the attribute bonus.

In this game, it's time for a complete showdown to the outside world. The stars of the Indiana Pacers are not just Paul and George!

"It's still Leonard, the lad's improvement this season is visible to the naked eye. In the Eastern Conference Finals last season, it was his brilliant defense that changed the tide of the series. However, Leonard's appearance last season was a bit unprepared, and this season, we are not sure if Coach Henson's change of guard will still work. ”

Kenny. As soon as Smith finished speaking, the camera on the scene focused on Bosh who was standing in the center circle and preparing for the scrum. "The Dragons" are undoubtedly one of the most talked-about players of the day, and Pacers fans will be eager to see how he can "win cleanly."

The referee blew the whistle and cheers from the stands. Bosh took the lead for the Heat to get the ball first, and Chalmers was slow to control the ball. It can be seen that Henson deliberately shrunk the defense, mainly to prevent the Heat's impact on the interior. Therefore, Leonard did not wrap around James with all his might, but let him go two steps.

Seeing this, Chalmers handed the ball directly into James's hands. James was still one step away from the three-point line when he received the ball, but when he saw that no one came up to defend, he directly pulled up and shot!

By the time Leonard sealed it, it was already too late. The basketball hollowed into the net and didn't even touch the hoop! In the first goal of the opening game, James gave Leonard a dismissal!

LeBron's three-pointer sounded the alarm for the Pacers' defense, but don't think it's safe to shrink the box. In the playoffs this season, LeBron's three-point shooting rate was as high as 37.5%, which is undoubtedly above the passing line. For comparison, in last season's playoffs, LeBron shot just 25% from three-point range. So, last season you could have released LeBron, but not necessarily this season. ”

Seeing James hit a three-point shot, Henson didn't say it. You can't change your tactics just because the opponent scored a three-pointer, James can indeed kill the game, but never by a three-point shot.

In the next round, George singled out Wade with the ball. With George dominating the absolute height advantage, Wade is very, very difficult on the defensive end. Spoelstra's plan was not to change the defence, but to assist the defence.

Wade deliberately let George go in the middle, and just when George broke through, James immediately struck over! Spoelstra thinks he knows Leonard very well, and Leonard can indeed score, but he is still far from the role of "scorer".

As soon as George gives the ball to Leonard, James will immediately interfere. In Spoelstra's view, Leonard's outside projection will not succeed at the slightest interference.

However, Henson hits the opponent's "take it for granted"! Leonard has always been the focus of Henson's cultivation, and his own growth rate is very amazing, plus he has one more badge of progress bonus than others. This guy's progress is much greater than what people see on the surface!

Seeing James coming over, George really divided the ball, and the receiver was Leonard!

James swooped back as planned, stretching his arms as far as he could. In the past, the Heat were stolen by Leonard, all because they directly gave him a big vacancy. But this time, James' defense was very pressing!

But even so, Leonard still made a decisive move! Before today's game, Henson told him more than once, "Don't hesitate to shoot when you have the chance!" It's time for the world to know the real you! ”

James' aggressive return didn't even make Leonard frown, and under the slight interference of the Heat's No. 6, Leonard's shooting was extremely calm. Only open shots are threatening? Sorry, that's in the past!

And so, a very magical scene happened. After continuing James' opening long-range three-pointer, Leonard put in a three-pointer under James' active defense! At the beginning of the game, both sides scored goals in the most unexpected way!

"Kawaii. Leonard, his shot was very decisive! Can you believe that? Two forwards who are admitted to not be able to shoot actually soared to three points! ”

Henson applauded lightly on the sidelines, Leonard's three-point shooting percentage this season is actually not low, but he has fewer shots, and as a substitute, not many people care if his three-point shooting has become more accurate.

James shook his head, believing that there was some element of luck in Leonard's goal. But soon, Leonard proved his scoring ability with another master layup after a break!

In the second round in a row, after the Heat's offense failed, Leonard actually scored in the second round in a row. This time it was a beautiful breakthrough and he still scored the ball despite Bosh's interference. It has to be said that the Heat must have a snack on Leonard's defense. If you give him too much space, he can really score! ”

Spoelstra didn't expect Leonard's breakthrough to be so resolute that Paul and George didn't have a chance to score at all.

James glanced at Leonard, but couldn't see anything from the emotionless face of the "gibbon".

Last season's Eastern Conference Finals, Leonard also had a good scoring performance, but immediately returned to normal after entering the Finals. In the regular season and the first two series of this season, Leonard did not show too much offensive talent. As one might think, Leonard can score, but he's not a scorer.

It's like Noah has played a few games with 20+ points in the playoffs this year, but no one will use him as a scorer. Therefore, when the opponent is defending, the priority against him is also the lowest.

Until now, Leonard has scored five points in a row, but the Heat still don't believe in evil. They still prefer to focus on Paul, George and Horford, how many points does Leonard have in a game?

Spoelstra yelled at the stadium, presumably to get the team to go ahead with the original plan.

This time, Wade wanted to use his impact to create an inside foul for the Pacers. But today, George, who doesn't have to worry about James, makes it difficult for Wade to move an inch, and seeing that he can't break through, Wade can only suddenly pull up and shoot at close range!

Wade's movements were beautiful, and the timing was sudden. But George's height and long arms made "The Flash" very helpless. Under George's serious interference, Wade's pull-up jump shot stumbled out of the frame. Again, the Heat missed the offense. Paul took the rebound himself and pushed it forward.

As soon as Paul crossed the halfway line, George took advantage of the off-ball cover to look for opportunities, which undoubtedly made everyone on the Heat nervous. However, instead of handing the ball to George on the right side of the court, Paul passed it to Leonard, who was on standby at 45° on the left.

"This" Spoelstra's eyes widened, and Leonard's first shot was an open shot after receiving the ball. The second ball is a layup after cutting in empty-handed.

But this time, he was holding the ball himself from beyond the three-point line! Is this formation going to hold the ball and play James alone?

"What a joke!" James was also stunned, but he didn't dare to slack off, and stretched his arms in front of Leonard.

Leonard grabbed the ball with one hand with his right hand, raised it high, and seemed to be about to pass, but at the moment when his teammates opened up the space, he suddenly lowered his center of gravity and accelerated his breakthrough!

With a simple triple threat move, Leonard gained a half-body advantage. James immediately used his perverted body to resist Leonard, this kid is simply unbelievable!

However, what James never expected was that he did not withstand Leonard's impact! This No. 2 is very strong and can carry James's perverted body to continue to walk inside!

"Leonard broke through with LeBron!" Kenny. Smith was also taken aback, no one could have imagined that Leonard's ability to break through with the ball was so stable!

Walking to the basket with James, Leonard suddenly stopped, then raised the basketball and shook a shot, flying Bosh who rushed to the basket to make up for the defense. Bosh also knew that what he said had caused a heated discussion, so he played very aggressively today. But it seems, some of the positivity is overdone.

James, on the other hand, rushed over the head because of Leonard's stop, and with a quick stop, Leonard got rid of all defenders, and then scored an easy layup under the basket.

"Seven points in a row, Kawaii. Leonard, he actually took the first 7 points of the game for the Pacers! Coach Henson seems to be "Kenny. Smith looked at Henson, who had a calm face, and swallowed, "It seems that he intends to make him the core of today's offense!" ”

Singled James to score, Leonard returned to his own half of the court conscientiously, ready to defend the next round.

Is Leonard a Sixth Man? A defensive stalwtman? Is it a sapper? No, it's neither.

In today's game, Henson will let the whole world know. Kawaii. Leonard, is a star player!