Chapter 41 Post-Game Press Conference

In another office in the arena, the Pelicans were also holding their post-game press conference.

Tang Tian, Jokic, and Stevens attended together.

The reporters asked mostly routine questions, and the three answered fluently.

The theme of Tang Tian's press conference was to praise Jokic beside him.

He kept saying things like Jokic was the best organizing big man in history, and that his passing was ten times better than his own.

"What do you think of the Mavericks' performance, or do you think they will cause you trouble in the rest of the series?"

A reporter asked Tang Tian a relatively specific question.

"Of course, they are performing better and better. In the first game, we finished the game in less than three quarters, but in this game, they fought us to the last five minutes. The next game will be in Dallas, and it will be a fierce battle."

Tang Tian still praised the Mavericks' performance.

"What do you think of today's conflict?"

The reporter followed up and asked about Pachulia's foot planting.

"Obviously, the last suspension did not make Pachulia realize his mistake. I think the league should increase its efforts in dealing with this matter, otherwise conflicts may happen again, which will be a great loss to the league's image."

Tang Tian directly put pressure on Adam Silver in advance.

After the game between the Mavericks and the Pelicans ended, the second games of the other three groups also ended one after another at the same time.

The Cavaliers easily defeated the Nets again 101 to 79.

The gap between the two teams was obvious, and the Cavaliers played extremely easily in the first round.

The Heat narrowly beat the Hawks 93 to 91.

Whiteside continued his excellent performance, scoring 18 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocks.

Wade scored 21 points, and he blocked Korver's buzzer-beater, helping the Heat take a 2-0 lead in the series.

The Spurs easily defeated the Thunder 103 to 90.

After losing the first game, Popovich quickly made adjustments and gave Durant unlimited defensive pressure.

This was also what Popovich had used against Tang Tian in the past.

Facts have proved that Durant is indeed a level below Tang Tian. He ended up with only 23 points on 10-of-26 shooting.

After this game, the series score became 1-1, and the outcome of the series was still full of unknowns.

After finishing the first two games, the Pelicans and the Mavericks moved to Dallas, where they would compete in the next two games.

Facing a 0-2 deficit, the Mavericks' official website also displayed a slogan to defend their home court.

Dallas fans have never lacked enthusiasm, and this slogan also made the fans high-spirited.

Not only outside the American Airlines Center Arena, but also on the surrounding streets, such slogans could be seen everywhere.

As long as they defend these two home games, the Mavericks still have hope of winning.

However, a piece of news that was unfavorable to the Mavericks came out before the game.

The league severely punished Pachulia for the incident. Although the foot planting was unsuccessful, he was still suspended for five games and fined $25,000.

In other words, even if the Pelicans and Mavericks series went to a Game 7, Pachulia would not be able to play.

The Mavericks protested, but the league rejected it.

This signal was also very clear. Adam Silver did not want those dirty playing styles to appear again.

Fans cheered for the league's decision and also cheered for Tang Tian.

As Tang Tian's status in the league gets higher and higher, he has gradually begun to have influence and say.

That night, the American Airlines Center Arena was crowded with people, and team owner Cuban was wearing his signature blue T-shirt, with a flushed face in the front row.

The enthusiasm of Dallas fans is really unparalleled, and this scene surpassed the New Orleans Arena.

Although Pachulia was suspended, the Mavericks players were still high-spirited when they appeared on the scene.

With such a home court, it would be inappropriate for them not to be excited!

After the opening ceremony, the third game of the series between the two teams started soon.

After two games, both sides had basically figured each other out.

Carlisle and Stevens did not make any adjustments to the lineup.

Embiid won the jump ball for the Mavericks, and Butler came up and made a jump shot after receiving a pass from Deron.

Cheers rang out from the scene.

Just like what Tang Tian said at the press conference, the Mavericks were even more aggressive when they returned to their home court, and this was destined to be a fierce battle.

That's what the fans at the scene thought, and that's what the fans in front of the TV thought.

Even the TNT Big Three in the commentary booth thought so.

But soon, everyone realized that the game was completely different from what they had imagined.

The Pelicans were obviously prepared. From the beginning, they raised the quality of their defense very high, and even Tang Tian devoted himself to the defense.

Then, they kept playing defensive counterattacks.

This approach completely exposed the Mavericks' weak defense.

After the first quarter, the Mavericks were completely beaten by the Pelicans, trailing 16 to 36 in a single quarter.

During the inter-quarter break, the on-site photographer gave Stevens a close-up.

Stevens still turned his head to look at Tang Tian.

This was another trick that Tang Tian had given him.

The Mavericks failed to organize a counterattack like they did in the last game.

They eventually lost to the Pelicans 78 to 102 at home, trailing 0 to 3 in the series.

No team in NBA history has ever come back from a 0-3 deficit.

In other words, the Mavericks' season journey has come to an end.

It was not until this time that fans remembered what Tang Tian said at the post-game press conference of the second game.

This guy is a big忽悠 (hūyou, con artist)!

He also said that the Mavericks were playing better and better, and that the game would become very intense when they went to the away game, but the result was that the battle ended in one quarter.

Poisonous milk! All poisonous milk!

It was also at this time that some fans realized that Tang Tian was a disciple trained by Popovich.

This operation has gained the true inheritance of Popovich.

The fourth game will be played in two days.

Stevens pulled Tang Tian again to talk about the tactical problems of the fourth game.

He thought that he had a thorough understanding of tactics, but after these two games, he found that he was actually a bit far behind Tang Tian.

It sounds incredible that a head coach is not as good as a player, but that is the truth.

However, he was not jealous, but slowly discussed with Tang Tian with a learning attitude.

There is no end to learning, not to mention that he is the youngest type of coach himself.

"The last game will definitely be very intense. The Mavericks will do everything possible to win the game. We even have to be prepared to go back to New Orleans for the fifth game."

Tang Tian said very seriously.

Tactics and the like, the two sides have played three games, and everything that can be used has already been used.

The Pelicans' tactical surprise in the third game was a success, but the Mavericks' failure to perform well was also a major reason.

In the last game, in a situation where they will be eliminated if they don't win, the Mavericks will definitely fight hard.

"Mentality and details."

Stevens really has coaching talent, and then he said the key points of the fourth game.

Being prepared for a tough battle and grasping every detail of the game are the key points for the Pelicans to end the series.

ps: This is a manuscript, my mother is hospitalized, her life is not in danger, but her ribs and tail vertebrae are seriously broken, and she needs surgery, thank you for your concern.