Chapter 789 There Is More than One Way to Solve the Problem

During halftime, Stevens was talking to Brown about Cousins' defensive issues.

The two coaches who are good at defense did not discuss any practical and useful methods in the end.

Cousins' skills are so versatile that it is not easy to strangle him when he is in good condition.

Perhaps we can only hope that Cousins ​​​​will fall back in half-time after resting.

Stevens finally pulled Tang Tian to the office alone.

"We don't have to think about how to defend."

What Tang Tian said surprised Stevens.

"We just have to think about how to get him off the field."

Tang Tian's next words made Stevens suddenly realize.

This is a question of the perspective of thinking about the problem. When dealing with someone who is in good condition, in addition to guarding him, you can also beat him down.

In fact, Tang Tian had already tried this angle in the first half, but Cousins ​​​​didn't take advantage of his aggressive approach.

But in addition to aggressive general methods, there are also tactical methods.

With the direction in mind, after the two people discussed it, they basically determined the offensive ideas for the second half.

After discussing the details, Stevens rushed to the locker room and took the time to make tactical arrangements.

Back in the second half, Francis and Mutombo left early because of something else, but Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady were still sitting on the sidelines.

The emotions of the fans at the scene were still high, and the half-time break did not cool down their passion.

Many fans noticed some changes on the field. Bojan replaced Ariza in the second half.

Stevens relies heavily on Ariza, which can be seen from the fact that Ariza is asked to start the game as soon as he comes back to find his condition.

So this adjustment may not seem big, but it is very noticeable.

Including D'Antoni, he also walked to the sidelines at the beginning of the second half to see what the Pelicans' adjustment was.

The Pelicans formed a formation in the frontcourt, with Bojan and Holiday in the two corners, and Davis standing in the high post on the left. The three of them opened up a lot of space in the entire half.

Tang Tian held the ball outside the right three-point line, and Jokic set up a pick-and-roll.

Tucker is not a flexible defensive player. He prefers tough confrontation. He did not avoid Jokic's pick-and-roll, and Tang Tian met Cousins ​​​​in a misplaced position.

At the moment when the dislocation was formed, Tang Tian didn't even make a three-point threat, he just took the ball and rushed in.

Cousins ​​​​is in really good condition. He predicts accurately in an instant and shrinks in advance.

Tang Tian went to the basket and shot from close range.

Cousins ​​took action to block the shot, but Tang Tian didn't hide and took the initiative to lean on him and take the shot.

"boom!"

Cousins' center of gravity was unstable this time, and his weight and impact knocked Tang Tian directly to the ground.

The referee's whistle sounded and Cousins' shooting was fouled.

In the face of boos from the audience, Tang Tian steadily made two free throws, giving the Pelicans the first points in the second half.

The Rockets' offense, Paul and Cousins ​​​​cooperated in the pick-and-roll, Paul suddenly scored to Cousins, and Cousins ​​​​met Holiday's shot.

"Uh-huh!"

The basketball goes hollow into the net.

He was still hot in the second half.

If the Rockets can come back tonight, he will definitely be the number one contributor.

The Pelicans' offense uses the same offensive method, but this time the Rockets' defense has changed. Morris on the left stepped in to help defend.

Tang Tian distributed the ball to Davis.

After Davis got the ball, he didn't shoot in the open position. He also accelerated and rushed in with the ball.

Morris couldn't handle it alone, so Cousins ​​went over to help with defense.

Davis' strong shot missed, and the referee didn't blow the whistle.

Tang Tian was unattended at this time. He jumped up to grab the offensive rebound and was about to take action.

Cousins ​​turned around and covered him.

Tang Tian faked the shot, waiting for Cousins ​​to get up, and then took the initiative to lean in and take the shot.

Cousins ​​was too big to hide in time, and Tang Tian made another shooting defensive foul.

He put his head in his hands. This was his third personal foul of the game.

But it's not his fault. He had to guard against Tang Tian, ​​and there was a big gap in speed and reaction. He didn't want to get fouled unless he defended symbolically.

But that's not his style.

D'Antoni was still watching, but Bzdelik stood up from the bench and quickly walked to him to communicate.

As a defensive coach, he already understands the Pelicans' tactical strategy in the second half.

They want to beat Cousins ​​down by constantly attacking the basket.

Bojan and Holiday's corner three-pointers have been very stable this season. The Rockets' defenders on both sides of this formation cannot shrink.

As for Cousins, he is relatively slow to react due to his large size. In addition, he is relatively short and is not outstanding defensively. It is difficult to avoid fouling in the face of such an impact.

Tang Tian made two free throws.

Cousins ​​assisted Morris in a double-team and scored another three-pointer, and the Rockets continued to maintain the lead.

"DeMarcus, watch your foul count."

Bzdelik shouted at Cousins ​​who was retreating on defense.

Cousins ​​nodded.

Bzdelik's shout showed that the Rockets had discovered the Pelicans' offensive strategy, but this did not cause the Pelicans to make changes.

Davis and Jokic played an inside pick-and-roll, and Davis, holding the ball, continued to rush Cousins.

Cousins ​​didn't dare to take action, and Davis directly squeezed through and scored a layup.

Beating Cousins ​​​​is the most ideal result of the Pelicans' tactics. Even if Cousins ​​​​does not dare to defend with all his strength, the Pelicans' scoring will become easier.

Tang Tian and Stevens, these two tactician masters, came up with a move that Bzdelik couldn't resist alone.

Cousins ​​​​is still eye-catching on the offensive end, but the Pelicans continued to attack the Rockets' basket to score.

Cousins, who was extra rational tonight, controlled his fouls, but there was a difference in scoring efficiency between the two sides, and the Pelicans were significantly more efficient.

The Pelicans closed the gap little by little and then took the lead.

When the score went back, Cousins ​​was anxious and took a shot to block Davis but was whistled for his fourth time.

D'Antoni could only replace him.

With Cousins ​​​​in, the Rockets' offensive advantage is gone, and the point difference on the field is further widened.

Harden was still out of shape under the Pelicans' defensive formation. The Rockets only relied on Paul's organization to maintain a stalemate with the Pelicans.

When it comes to the transition period between substitutes, the weakness of their substitutes is exposed again.

Ariza defended Mohamed and Terry one after another, Dinwiddie made a fast break dunk and Jokic made a chasing three-pointer, and the Pelicans quickly opened the score.

By the time the main players from both sides returned, the Pelicans had completely reversed the situation and opened the point difference to double digits.

And after the main force returned, the Pelicans continued to attack the Rockets' basket.

Three minutes before the end, Cousins ​​received his sixth foul and was sent off.

The winner of the game was decided at this point.

The Pelicans lost first and then won. They reversed a half-time deficit and defeated the Rockets 125-115, changing the score to 3-0.

Cousins ​​scored 35 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks. If he had not been sent off in the end, he would have had a chance to help the team win.

But there is no if, the Pelicans' tactics are the same as in the second game, and they are very targeted.