Chapter 1185 Brain Is a Good Thing

There are still 9 days until the official start of the All-Star Game. The Pelicans still have 4 games, and their opponents are the Mavericks, Celtics, Knicks and 76ers.

The first two games are difficult, and the last two games are easy.

Especially the first game against the Mavericks.

Embiid has been in great form recently, averaging 27.5 points, 13.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.1 blocks in the past ten games, while shooting 49% from the field.

Driven by his outstanding performance, the Mavericks have won 9 of the past 10 games and now have a 7-game winning streak and are in very good shape.

With Cousins ​​​​not regaining his former courage after injury, Embiid's performance this season seems to be the league's number one center.

This is obviously a test for the Pelicans, who have just gone through a trade.

Moreover, this game is played in Dallas. The Dallas people, who have lost the previous two games, obviously hope to win back a victory at home.

On the night of the game, the American Airlines Center Arena was packed.

Driven by owner Cuban, the enthusiasm of the Dallas Cowboys was particularly high tonight.

The Mavericks have recently won consecutive games and their morale is high, while the Pelicans have just lost to the Lakers in a trade, and their morale is at a low point.

One high and one low, it is clear who has a greater chance of winning.

After the opening ceremony, the starting lineups of the two teams were announced one after another.

On the Mavericks side, Conley and Holiday are on the outside, Harris and Dwight Powell are on the forward line, and Embiid is at center.

For the Pelicans, Brogdon and Tang Tian are on the outside, Green and Davis are on the forward line, and Harrell is on the center line.

Stevens didn't start Gasol right away.

Gasol has only been with the team for a day and is not yet familiar with the tactical system.

The game started quickly amid the cheers of the fans.

Embiid beat Davis in a jump jump, kicking off the Pelicans battle.

Embiid came up and hit Harrell in the low post.

Harrell is very tough, but Embiid looks at the big man and is very skilled at the basket, and he uses continuous footwork to hit the board and score.

And this is just the beginning.

After the Mavericks opened the game, they allowed Embiid to play inside for several consecutive attacks. From the low post to the free throw line, Embiid scored all of them!

His recent state is not generally good.

Moreover, after the Pelicans contracted, Holiday and Harris on the outside also showed excellent form and made consecutive shots.

After Jokic left, Carlisle simplified the team's tactics and used Embiid's inside containment to maximize the inside-out style.

Halfway through the first quarter, the Mavericks led the Pelicans 17-10.

Not only Embiid, but the entire Mavericks team has been in good shape recently.

Stevens turned and called Gasol from the bench.

When Harrell faced Embiid, it was like meeting a nemesis. He couldn't compare with his height and wingspan, nor could he compare with his skills. He was suppressed and felt a little temperamental.

Embiid passed Harrell from the free throw line to the basket, shot and scored, and also caused Harrell's pulling foul.

The scene was filled with excitement, and after scoring the goal, Embiid roared like a wild beast on the sidelines.

This is truly "Emperor" level strength.

Embiid's extra penalty opportunity, a short whistle came from the sidelines, and Gasol came on to replace Harrell.

Harrell was a little frustrated. Gasol patted his head when he came on the court and gave him some encouragement.

This kind of behavior looks like a veteran golfer.

Embiid's extra free throw hit.

20 to 10, the Mavericks extended their lead to 10 points.

They have met three times this season, and this is the first time they have taken such a big lead at the start.

Cuban's face turned red and he looked excited on the sidelines.

The Pelicans have failed this season and are no longer the invincible team they were last season!

It’s time for the Mavericks to regain some ground!

"Defense! defense!"

The fans at the scene also got excited and cheered for the home team under the guidance of the on-site DJ.

The Mavericks are already gaining momentum.

Tang Tian broke through with the ball, the Mavericks tightened their defense, and Embiid also let Gasol go from behind.

Tang Tian saw the opportunity and passed the ball back to Gasol at the top of the key.

Gasol's big three-point opportunity!

He has three-point range, and his career three-point shooting percentage is close to 35%.

He didn't hesitate, raised his hand after catching the ball and threw it away.

"Bang!"

But unfortunately, his three-point shot failed to hit, and it was obviously deflected.

His form this season, especially on the offensive end, is really not that good.

In terms of three-point shooting percentage alone, he is only over 31% this season.

Embiid protected the defensive rebound.

Fans on the hotline looked down on Gasol for a while.

The center of the past is no longer coming back, Gasol doesn't have much gas left in the tank, and the Pelicans made a huge loss on the trade deadline.

The Mavericks attacked the frontcourt to establish position.

Embiid continued to catch the ball at the free throw line, and the Mavericks continued to play their previous inside and outside tactics.

With his back against Gasol, Embiid turned and walked toward the basket.

He is very big, and Harrell was unable to get up under him before.

But Gasol is also big, and he has good footsteps and can keep up with Embiid.

Embiid didn't have a chance to take a shot directly when he reached the basket. He feinted, but Gasol couldn't get up at all.

He turned back to the free throw line, and Gasol followed suit.

He used all offensive methods, but failed to create a scoring opportunity for himself!

He finally chose to rely on Gasol's outside hook.

But Gasol stretched his long arms, putting enough pressure.

"Bang!"

Embiid's shot hit the frame and Gasol turned around to collect the defensive rebound!

The Mavericks' surge of offense was interrupted!

Stevens nodded with satisfaction as he watched from the sidelines.

Although Gasol has lost his touch this season, his defensive skills cannot be lost.

The Pelicans attacked the frontcourt and met the same defensive treatment when Tang Tian broke through. He also distributed the ball to Gasol.

Gasol didn't throw the ball, he took the ball and broke through directly to the basket.

Embiid returned to defense, and he sent another through ball to Davis on the weak side.

The Mavericks' defensive focus was on Tang Tian, ​​and Gasol's breakthrough was so decisive that they had no time to return to defense.

"Uh-huh!"

Davis made a steady hit from mid-range in the bottom corner.

The Pelicans broke their scoring drought!

Davis took the initiative to high-five Gasol while retreating.

The ball just fed was very comfortable.

One defense and one attack were successful, and the Pelicans' morale recovered significantly.

Embiid had no chance to return the ball to Conley, and then took the initiative to set up a pick-and-roll.

Conley broke through for a layup, but was interfered by Gasol.

The ball didn't go in, and Gasol also collected another defensive rebound.

The Pelicans attacked the frontcourt again. This time Tang Tian tried to hold the ball from the outside, and Gasol suddenly took the initiative to cut to the basket.

Tang Tian saw the opportunity and hit the ball through the defense. Gasol received the ball and easily made a layup.

The Pelicans' offense was quite comfortable this time around.

Tang Tian also high-fived Gasol while retreating.

When playing basketball, the brain is really a good thing.

Gasol knows that his touch is not good, and he can score suddenly and take the initiative to cut without the ball. He can always make himself "valuable" on the court.

Not to mention whether Gasol can regain his touch on the offensive end, judging from this point alone, this wave of transactions by the Pelicans is already worthwhile.