Capítulo 24: Error 24
Hector's POV
I'm on the court at the beginning of the second quarter. I took two fouls at the beginning of the game. This is my first start; I know I have an opportunity, but the excitement prevented me from seeing the big picture.
Beasley shoots at 3PT but misses; the ball will land near me; now I have taken the rebound, I see Bogdanovic well placed. He caught the ball, and phew, he put the 3PT.
Ok, I'm back on defense; yes, offensive foul, we recover the ball. Bogdanovic, what are you trying to tell me? Ok, I'll make you a screen. The shot is missed, but I have the free rebound I cannot shoot, Ariza? And Beasley to intercept. Damn, nobody has time to move. They are two against me; I must make the right choice, Plumlee or Grant. Well, I made the wrong choice. Plumlee makes an easy dunk.
There is Hield, who returns, and the coach strengthens the attack. He will surely make the pass to Plumlee, an easy counter for me. Joseph beckons. I know I must make him a screen; he takes the screen and makes me the pass. I am alone; I shoot. Ok, 2 points. I'm on a good dynamic.
Good Beasley has mitt a 3PT. I give the ball to Joseph, and he places the game. It is for me; I stand out and go to the low post. I'm trying a backdown, Craig is smaller than me, and they're not trying to overtake me? Do you know if I am underestimated here? Ok, a hook should be good enough. Ok, we lead by 6 points.
Bogdanovic passes the ball to Joseph, but what do you do? There is Craig free. I placed myself on the rebound, hoping he would miss, but he did not. We lost the ball.
Craig tries in a pick and roll; I'll bait him. We'll see. If he is alone against me, I will pretend to leave an opening, and he bites and tries the layup, but if I have enough space to look for the counter, I will try my luck. Go on a counterattack, Bogdanovic, to recover the ball; it's too high. Hield couldn't catch it.
Timeout, Coach Wharton beckons to me. I bother Grant, who misses his shot, but Craig takes the rebound. I'm going to hinder him too. He misses his shot, but I couldn't stop Plumlee's putback.
"You played well, but now rest well." I take sulfur, and I take a Gatorade. I look at the score. We lead 35-37.
I wanted to face Jokic, but I'll wait a while and observe Jokic's movements; I have a lot to learn.
End of POV.
It will be two minutes before the end of the quarter for Hector on the field. He defended Jokic well on two shots and was satisfied at the end of the quarter. He made up for it with 4pts 2reb 1ast 2blk. The Kings lead 47-53, but the game is far from over.
The third quarter began, and Murray gave the time with a 3PT entry. Fox responds with a stepback. Time is ticking, and the Nuggets are only one point behind.
Jokic grabbed an offensive rebound and passed to Murray. Murray is alone against Hector. He tries to dribble but attempts a step back at 3PT. He sees his shot blocked by Hector. Holmes replaced Hector after this action and did not return from the quarter. In the end, the Kings were led 77-70.
The Denver collective began to take the lead as time passed. In the final quarter, Hector played 5 minutes and grabbed a rebound but couldn't stop Denver—defeat the 101-94 Kings, who started their season with three losses.
Hector played well, he only put 4pts 3reb 1ast 1stl and 1blk, but he caused a headache to Jokic, who only put 9pts 13reb 2ast but five losses of the ball and put only four shots out of 15 attempted. The match's top scorer was Holmes, Hector's replacement, who put in 24pts and 13 rebs, Fox 20pts 9ast but could not bring home the win. Murray of the Nuggets put in 18pts, Harris 17, and Barton 13.
Even though he didn't weigh on the Kings' offense, Hector was important on defense. That's the impression he gave everyone. And that's how Hector finished his first match as a starter.
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