Chapter 44 Looking for trouble
This game was not broadcast nationwide, but was broadcast by a local Indiana TV network. The commentary booth was on the sidelines, near the player tunnel.

At 7:30, both sides announced their starting lineups, which appeared on the hanging screen in the air.

Knicks: He Zhongqiu, Kurt Thomas, Sprewell, Alan Houston, Howard Ellis
Pacers: Brad Miller, Jermaine O'Neal, Ron Artest, Reggie Miller, Jamaal Tinsley

The live commentators are Ross Gershon and Lewis Langlois.

Ross Gersang said: "Our current record is 19 wins and 7 losses, third in the Eastern Conference, and the Knicks are 3 wins and 8 losses, 14th in the Eastern Conference, a difference of 11 wins.

In terms of strength, we are far ahead, and this is our home court, so there should be no suspense about the outcome of this game."

"We crushed them in the inside and we also had an advantage on the outside. There was really no suspense." Lewis Lanros nodded.

At 7:40, the Knicks' starters arrived at the player tunnel first, followed by the Pacers.

In addition to the starting lineups of both teams, there were also two reporters, as well as staff and security personnel from both teams.

The player tunnel seemed a bit crowded because the away team went first, so the home team waited behind and did not come up immediately.

"Look, Wolverine is that kid."

"He looks a bit thin, is he really that strong?"

"It's just a lie. Do you think breaking a backboard by dunking it means you are very powerful? Michael Jordan also broke a backboard by dunking it in Italy."

"I think his bench press data is also exaggerated."

Michael Miller, Tinsley and O'Neal were talking in low voices.

Reggie Miller and Artest didn't speak, they disdained to discuss a rookie in public.

He Zhongqiu was full of energy and spirit. His strong will and mental strength allowed him to sense the line of sight coming from behind him. His keen sixth sense even allowed him to sense a hint of malice.

But it didn't matter. He had never been a popular person since he was born, and he was used to it. He was too lazy to turn around and take a look.

Then he started the game and after warming up, Don Cheney began to arrange tactics.

The Pacers' lineup is quite strong, but their outside breakthrough power is not as good as the previous Nets, so they do not play a zone defense and deploy man-to-man defense tactics. On the offensive side, they still focus on basic tactics such as breakthroughs, passing and cutting.

At eight o'clock, jump ball.

The Pacers did not send Brad Miller for a jump ball, but instead used O'Neal Jr., who had a better wingspan. After all, both of them are 211 cm tall.

Although O'Neal Jr. can't jump much now due to injury, Brad Miller is a floor player and can't jump even more.

O'Neal Jr. is a very kind person and very introverted. He can still talk a few words behind people's backs, but now standing in front of He Zhongqiu, under the oppressive and sharp eyes, he dare not say anything. He does not have the arrogance of a veteran at all.

He Zhongqiu could even see a kind of childish innocence in the evasive eyes of little O'Neal.

"Di!"

The referee's whistle blew and the ball was thrown high into the air.

"Snapped!"

He Zhongqiu, who was better in height, wingspan, jumping ability and explosive power, lacked experience. He jumped a little bit late and the ball was knocked away by O'Neal.

He Zhongqiu ran to Brad Miller, and Kurt Thomas followed O'Neal Jr.

小奥尼尔从上赛季开始就成为了步行者的第一得分点，本赛季场均37分钟，20.8分10.3篮板2助攻0.9抢断2.3盖帽。

He has comprehensive offensive skills, with 70% of his attacks in the restricted area and 30% from mid-range. Except for three-pointers, his shooting positions are all within the three-point line, so he is guarded by Kurt Thomas, who has better defense.

Brad Miller is currently the Pacers' third scoring point, averaging 31 minutes per game, 13 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.6 blocks. His offensive area is the same as O'Neal Jr., he is good at mid-range and long-range shots, has strong ability to clear space, and is slightly weaker than O'Neal Jr., and is guarded by He Zhongqiu.

O'Neal tried to get under the basket, but Kurt Thomas, who was 206 cm tall, was very tough and pushed him to the basket. O'Neal's strength was average, and he was not very strong in the paint. He couldn't get in, so he fell to the left wing to ask for the ball in the low post.

Brad Miller pulled to the right wing and He Zhongqiu followed.

This movement allowed him to gain three defensive tactical proficiency points, but he had no time to look up the information and ignored it.

At the top of the arc, point guard Jamal Tinsley passed the ball to Reggie Miller on the right wing, Alan Houston was defending, and Brad Miller immediately came up to do a pick-and-roll.

He Zhongqiu already had a certain understanding of the pick-and-roll tactics, and this was a man-to-man tactic, so he immediately followed up. His speed was faster than Brad Miller and it was quite easy.

Reggie Miller is still in good shape. He broke through Alan Houston with the help of a pick-and-roll. After a slight change of direction, he broke through He Zhongqiu, who had little experience and poor ability to defend against pick-and-rolls. He accelerated and broke into the paint area through the right elbow area.

After breaking into the paint area, he attracted the defensive attention of Kurt Thomas, then passed the ball to O'Neal Jr., who made a close-range jump shot, but unfortunately missed, and Kurt Thomas grabbed the rebound.

"Haha, the defense of mid-range shooting king Alan Houston and that Wolverine is rubbish. Old Miller can penetrate as much as he wants."

"Wolverine? No, no, no, he doesn't deserve this nickname. I can give him a new nickname, Colander."

"King Kong colander? Haha..."

The on-site commentators Ross Gersong and Lewis Langlos joked wildly, causing the Pacers fans to cheer.

Knicks offense.

Howard Ellis advanced to the frontcourt and gave the ball to Alan Houston, who faked a breakthrough and shot a three-pointer, but missed.

O'Neal's rebounding ability is far superior to He Zhongqiu. He moved to the landing position on the right front side of the basket first, blocked He Zhongqiu and occupied a more advantageous position.

He Zhongqiu used his hand to push O'Neal away, but at this time the referee blew the whistle, pointed at him, and made a gesture for a pushing foul.

"He, you can't push people when you're trying to rebound."

Kurt Thomas said with a dark face, afraid that He Zhongqiu didn't understand, and made a gesture of pushing someone away.

In fact, He Zhongqiu knew that he was just used to playing street ball and had not formed any good habits. He just pushed people out of habit.

"OKOK." He agreed repeatedly.

"Kid, you dare to use tricks when playing here?" Ron Artest came over and said fiercely.

"I don't understand." He Zhongqiu said.

"I say, you dare to use tricks when playing here?" Ron Artest repeated angrily.

"Behave yourself and don't cause trouble."

At this time, the referee pushed the two away and spoke in a warning tone.

Artest took two steps back, pointed at He Zhongqiu, and said sternly, "Rookie, play cleanly here, or you'll be in trouble."

"Hey, Ron, it was just a push when we were fighting for position, why do this?" Alan Houston couldn't stand it anymore and said to Artest.

"Alan Houston, this has nothing to do with you." Artest shouted.

Alan Houston was not a tough guy, and he backed off after being yelled at.

Although the madman has character, he doesn't have the courage to stand up to a vicious man like Artest.

Kurt Thomas is only tough on defense, and at this time he doesn't dare to confront Artest head-on.

At this time, everyone on both sides knew that Artest was taking advantage of the situation to give rookie He Zhongqiu a warning.

(End of this chapter)