Even in the game against the Pacers, Wei Guo didn't really get angry.

I'm just a little emotional...

Wei Guo grabbed Brown by the neck and lifted him up. If Wei Guo got angry, the consequences would be unimaginable.

......

Their defensive pressure is very strong, which greatly affects their shooting percentage.

and...

The Celtics have a height advantage over the 76ers overall. Apart from point guard Anderson, the other four starters are all over two meters tall. Although they don't have giants like Mutombo and Weiguo, their height advantage is still obvious in other positions.

They talked trash non-stop, but their defense didn't involve any emotional fouls.

The Celtics' goal is clear: to win this game through skill. If they resort to pushing or fighting first, they'll be at a disadvantage.

Mr. Russell was sitting on the sidelines.

If the Celtics players actually start fighting, the old man will be so angry that he'll leave the arena.

........

The first quarter has ended.

23:19!!

The Celtics lead by 4 points.

The 76ers took 17 shots, making 6 for 19 points, a shooting percentage of only 35.2%. The Celtics took 19 shots, making 9 for 23 points, a shooting percentage of 47.3%.

The Celtics' defensive pressure is evident from their overall shooting percentage.

The 76ers were only down by 4 points because they got more free throws, earning 6 points on 6 of 9 attempts in the first quarter.

Brown began criticizing the players, saying, "Your defense wasn't up to par, and your offense wasn't decisive enough!"

Speaking simply about the Celtics' roster.

Their defense is only average by league standards. The 76ers have faced many players with stronger defenses than the Celtics, but they have never suffered such a defeat. Even though they are not far behind, the problems they have cannot be ignored.

"Defense!"

With the break time approaching, Brown reminded the players again, "Don't let the Celtics score easily again."

......

The second quarter begins.

Wei Guo stayed on the bench to rest, Coleman came on, and Iverson, who had rested for three minutes in the first quarter, also returned to the court.

The Celtics are on offense.

Rogers drove to the basket but missed the layup.

Coleman grabbed the defensive rebound, and Rodgers tried to steal the ball from Coleman's arms, but failed.

When the Celtics started to get back on defense, Coleman passed the ball to Iverson. Iverson dribbled to the frontcourt, waved to his teammates to spread out, and said he wanted to go one-on-one!

Pierce defends Iverson one-on-one.

Iverson used a series of crossovers to get past Pierce, then pulled up for a jump shot.

"Whoosh!!!"

The basketball went through the net cleanly.

23:21!!

After scoring, Iverson retreated to his own half with a blank expression, preparing to defend.

Similarly...

Pierce successfully backed down Coleman.

There was a goal...

There is blacksmithing...

There is cooperation...

There was a mistake...

The team's score is increasing very slowly.

Wei Guo rested for more than four minutes and replaced Mutombo. Although Wei Guo came on, his role on the court was still that of a defensive anchor. He guarded the inside and did not allow the Celtics to violate him. With constant physical contact, Wei Guo was unable to control his fouls. Wei Guo only had one foul in the first quarter, but before the end of the second quarter, he had three fouls.

"Give him a good beating!"

Jim stood on the sidelines, sweating profusely with excitement.

"What a terrible referee!!!"

The state of Wei met an infuriating end.

........

The first half has ended.

39:37!!

The Celtics lead by 2 points.

The Celtics kept switching on defense, and many times there was only one player guarding Wei Guo under the basket. However, the tight perimeter defense prevented the 76ers from getting the ball in their hands.

The home team locker room.

Brown was motivating the players when Wei Guo suddenly said, "I'll play point guard!"

"Um???"

Brown paused for a moment, then nodded. "Change tactics in the second half and have Weiguo play point guard."

The 76ers' players, including Iverson, still lack playmaking ability. Once the Celtics tightened their perimeter defense, they started to let Iverson constantly dribble and isolate.

Admittedly...

Iverson scored a team-high 15 points in the first half, but that came on 15 shot attempts.

Wei Guo only took 7 shots in the first half, making 3 of 7 for 6 points, and also picked up 3 fouls. In Brown's view, having Wei Guo play point guard at this point would also control Wei Guo's foul count, which would also protect Wei Guo.

......

A few days ago.

Coach Thompson asked Wei Guo over drinks whether he would stay with the 76ers after becoming a free agent at the end of the season.

Wei Guo was a sentimental person...

After careful consideration, he told Coach Thompson that he would go to whichever team offered the most money.

Being sentimental doesn't necessarily mean being attached to one person or one city.

We all work in the same league, so we see each other all the time. We can drink together all the time, and even if we're not teammates, we can still be friends.

......

Russell was very impressed with the Celtics' performance in the first half.

They played with anger, yet remained calm, without truly provoking Wei Guo.

If you deliberately provoke Wei Guo...

If Wei Guo uses the chokehold again, he will be suspended for the next game. Trying to win a game by suspending Wei Guo is a move that Russell will criticize.

......

The second half of the game has begun.

Walker missed his shot, and Mutombo grabbed the defensive rebound.

All the players ran towards the frontcourt...

Only Wei Guo remained in the backfield. Mutombo passed the ball to Wei Guo, who slowly dribbled it to the frontcourt.

"Wei Guo has switched to the point guard position?"

Jim's face suddenly darkened. "Is this Brown's tactic?"

The Celtics' lead in the first half was due to their superior perimeter defense. If the 76ers' backcourt were to be a combination of Wei Guo and Iverson, the Celtics' advantage would vanish.

Pierce defends the nation single-handedly!

Wei Guo dribbled past his opponent and made a behind-the-back pass into the penalty area, his eyes also glancing at Mutombo on his left. The move was incredibly realistic.

Pierce and Batistuta moved towards Mutombo at the same time, and Mutombo was ready to receive the ball.

The ball is gone...

"Bang!!!"

Coleman on the right side of the defense received the ball and dunked it.

39:39!!

The 76ers tied the score.

This ball??

How did it end up in Coleman's hands?

The players behind Wei Guo saw it clearly: the moment Wei Guo passed the ball behind his back, his left elbow struck the basketball, changing its trajectory.

Although I was momentarily stunned when I received the ball...

However, there was no one in front of Coleman, and by the time he reacted, it was still within his time limit to jump and dunk.