CPU keeps coming back when down by 10 or 20

I've played 20 games so far in All-Star mode and the average margin of victory is 2. This is so unrealistic. I'm usually up 10 or 20 during halftime and the computer starts jacking up 3's (with my defenders in their jockstraps) that go in. Plus, that full court press towards the end of the game is unbeatable. The instant you don't pass out quick enough, the double-team will strip you. Why can't my team press like that?

Another random spouting:

Passing in this game is pointless. The court feels so small, CPU defenders recover so freaking quickly. Like some guy doubling the post will almost always get back to the 3-point shooter on the kick-out. It doesn't help that my stupid player has to jump to catch the ball, thus giving the defender time to recover.

And even when I pump fake the shoes off a defender, I can never go around him. The force-field is the size of fat Albert. (80's reference for all you senior citizens here)








(BTW, I'm using Andrew's slider settings.)

I play on Superstar and most of the time I don't have any problems protecting my lead. Also I find that I rotate, as well as kick the ball out pretty well too. Although faking rarely works for me. And often times it will need an abuse of the pro-hop button.

If it feels really unrealistic then maybe Andrew's sliders simply don't fit your playing style. Just try tweaking a few things. I started with Andrew's sliders too but I've tweaked it alot already, probably the most significant thing I did is lowering the gamespeed down to 35.

i'm playing @ default sliders (except fatigue and subs), superstar level ..... it's just normal for the cpu to shoot 3's ..... they will make 2 or so ... just keep on challenging the shots they make ......

Since I don't have NBA Live 2004 yet (I should be getting the PC Version today or tomorrow), I've been playing a little 2003, just to say goodbye, and I noticed even when playing in rookie mode, defence on those 3 point shooters is key when the CPU is down by quite a bit (5+), or they may just come back and bite you. I suggest double teaming the best 3 point shooters, and get your center and/or power foreward over there too, as long as the other team's center and power foreward is not very strong, or does not pose a thret.

A good way to protect the half time lead is to play the zone, I use 1-3-1, off and on during the 3rd quarter and for the very beginning of the 4th to force them to shoot outside shots which they miss pretty often. During the 4th when they try to make their comeback play man to man defense and you will disrupt most of their outside shots, don't play zone. Playing zone late just gives them more space to get an open 3.

The game is designed to allow the CPU to comeback unless you stay focused and on top of your game throughout. I attribute a lot of the CPU comebacks in my Dynasty thus far to my own complacency.