CHAPTER 579: CHAPTER 284: OLD KNIGHT, CHARGE!_2

However, Spoelstra on the sidelines appeared rather composed.

Although the Cavaliers’ offensive performance tonight was somewhat unexpected, it wasn’t unacceptable.

After all, to create this situation, Malone put JR in the starting lineup.

It’s well known that the Cavaliers’ bench strength isn’t strong, and with JR moved to the starting lineup, their bench strength weakened even further.

On the other hand, the Heat had great depth in their roster this season, and the difference became apparent during the substitution phase.

Both teams began to make substitutions.

Hansen was replaced and rested at this time, while Irving continued to stay on the court by Malone’s decision.

On the Heat’s side, Durant stayed on to lead the team.

Durant, with the ball, faced Tucker for a mid-range pull-up and hit.

Although it was towards the end of the quarter, the Heat’s starting lineup had too many scoring options, and their energy levels were still high.

But turning back, Irving drove hard to the basket, drawing a personal foul from Vucevic.

It must be said, not only did Irving play decisively today, but he also played fiercely.

Just like he said to Hansen, if he didn’t prove himself now, he really would have to leave.

Thanks to Irving’s performance at the end of the quarter, by the time the first quarter ended, the scoreboard read 31-34, with the Cavaliers still closely trailing.

"The Cavaliers tonight are showing their desire to win!" O’Neal at the commentary booth was excited.

The Heat’s performance wasn’t really an issue; the problem was that the Cavaliers were playing too well offensively tonight.

And it wasn’t just Hansen who was performing.

"The challenge they face has only just begun," Kenny Smith promptly threw cold water on the matter next to him.

"Yes, this period will be the toughest for them," Barkley agreed, also watching the game.

At the start of the second quarter, Irving also went to rest.

The depth of the Heat’s roster this season wasn’t just because they had three excellent bench players, but also due to the strength of their rotational lineup.

Each of the Heat’s starting five could play the role of an offensive core, and they were capable of being split and combined during the rotation phase.

For instance, the players on the court for both teams at that time, Cavaliers: Mo Williams, JR, Johnson, Conningham, Garnett

Heat: Chalmers, Wade, Seferosa, Big Gasol, Vucevic

The gap in the strength of both lineups was evident from the comparison.

JR’s first shot attempt after coming on was disrupted by Wade and went astray.

He was part of the starting lineup and had only rested for two minutes at the end of the quarter; his energy hadn’t fully recovered.

But in response, Wade used Vucevic’s pick and roll to break through Garnett and score with a layup.

The game didn’t look to be on the same level at all.

Spoelstra sat on the bench, turned his head toward Malone standing on the sidelines of the opposite half-court.

In this situation, should Malone substitute Hansen in early?

If he did, Hansen’s energy consumption would inevitably increase, and even if the Cavaliers managed to keep up through the first three quarters, what about the fourth?

The Cavaliers’ previous loss to the Bulls was because Hansen’s energy was drained too much in the first three quarters.

But if he didn’t make the substitution, the Heat would likely take the opportunity to widen the lead.

"Swish!"

Spoelstra had just turned back when he heard the crisp sound of the net from the court.

Mo Williams decisively hit a three-point shot after executing a pick and roll with Garnett.

This made Spoelstra tense up.

Fortunately, in return, Big Gasol received the ball in the low post against Conningham, drew Garnett’s help defense, and then passed to Vucevic underneath, who easily scored two points.

Cheers erupted in the arena; the Cavaliers’ defense, both starters and substitutes, couldn’t stop the Heat’s offense.

The only team that might stop the Heat, perhaps, was the Warriors, ranked first in the League in defensive efficiency.

Williams continued to manage the ball and execute pick and rolls with Garnett.

Spoelstra had already come to the sideline to remind his players to focus on defense.

Despite the clear difference in strength, the bench players didn’t have much time, and if the Cavaliers kept scoring, the advantage would be as good as gone.

Williams was fast and, although he seemed to have been playing in the League for many years, he was actually only 32 years old, which was still the prime for a guard.

The Heat tightened their defense.

At that moment, Williams spotted the opportunity and flung the ball towards Conningham in the corner.

"Mo don’t pass" was a thing of the past; after eleven years in the League, his passing skills had long since been honed.

More importantly, he wanted to win!

Receiving the ball, Conningham got himself a wide-open opportunity.

The Heat Team’s double-center lineup posed a significant threat on offense with their inside presence, but their agility on defense was poor, pretty much stuck once they got inside.

Williams’s three-pointer had been crucial, but Conningham’s shot was even more so.

It wasn’t just because the Cavaliers couldn’t continue scoring, but if they couldn’t make open three-pointers, the opposition could collapse their defense without fear.

And usually, if the first one missed, the subsequent shots would likely miss as well.

Conningham had plenty of time to adjust.

Starting six years ago, when he joined the Cavaliers, on Hansen’s advice, he’d already begun working on his three-point shot.

He was better at three-pointers than Hansen knew from "history."

The basketball left Conningham’s hands with a beautiful rotation.

The crowd started to stir before the ball even began to fall.

Spoelstra also sensed trouble brewing.

"Swish!"

A crisp sound signaled Conningham’s successful three-pointer!

The Cavaliers had hit two three-pointers in a row at the start of the second quarter, putting them ahead 6 to 4 since coming back in the quarter!

Incredible, but just as O’Neal said, a gap in strength doesn’t necessarily decide the final win or loss!

Many times, what determines the outcome of the game is whether you can make your shots.

At this time, Hansen also excitedly stood up to wave his towel for Williams and Conningham.

No one from the outside could have guessed that these two Old Knights would deliver such a performance at a critical moment, but Hansen knew.

They had always been waiting for an opportunity to prove themselves.

"Never underestimate your opponent!" O’Neal shouted from the commentary booth.

At this moment, Malone turned around to call West into the game.

Big Gasol’s forceful attack in the low post was foiled by Conningham with an early foul.

Just then, there was a short whistle from the sidelines, and West replaced JR to take a rest.

Now, aside from Hansen, who was still resting off the court, the Old Knights were all present and accounted for.

The Heat Team had a sideline ball.

They still fed the ball inside, and West chose to collapse and double-team.

The Cavaliers’ guard line substitutes included Williams and JR this season; he hadn’t seen much playing time.

But now, as Malone used smaller lineups more often, both he and Delavadova would get their chances.

His advantage over the latter was in awareness and experience.

Wade’s outside shooting was not very reliable, so that was a wise decision.

Big Gasol decided to pass, and Wade received the ball and, instead of shooting a three, chose to drive inside.

West had time to rotate back, although he couldn’t stop Wade, he bought Conningham time to help defend.

Eventually, Wade’s shot veered off the mark with the interference, and the Cavaliers finally managed to defend successfully during a substitution sequence.

And as Conningham turned around to grab the defensive rebound, the Cavaliers quickly mounted a counter-attack.

The other disadvantage of a double-center lineup was the slow retreat; this was something Hansen was very clear about from his time at the Grizzlies.

The Heat couldn’t get their inside players back in defense in time, leaving only three perimeter players to do so.

At this time, all five Cavaliers were charging forward.

The characteristic of a small lineup was the fast break.

Leading the charge were Williams and West, with Conningham close behind.

West’s movement towards the sideline drew Wade’s defense, while Williams, after fending off Chalmers, passed the ball to Conningham.

After catching the ball, Conningham leapt and slammed the ball into the basket with both hands!

This play not only caused Hansen to stand up from the bench once again but also excited O’Neal at the commentary table to straighten up.

Hansen had returned to his loyal Cleveland, and the Old Knights were on the charge!