Chapter 1229 The Magical Killing Ball

After returning from the timeout, Popovich made another change, replacing Bertans with Forbes, and returned to a lineup with one large and four small.

But this change allowed George and Leonard to move to the third and fourth positions, and their defense against Tang Tian became weaker.

It was an obvious sign that no matter how hard you defended, you couldn't guard against Tang Tian, ​​so you just didn't have to guard anymore and just played with each other.

No matter how strong Tang Tian was, he only had one chance to make a move in one attack.

With the Spurs' state tonight, there is no chance of playing against each other.

Popovich's strategy soon came true. The Spurs had a hot offensive performance tonight. They played against the Pelicans again in the next half of the quarter.

At the end of the third quarter, the score on the court was 90 to 94.

Although the Pelicans scored 40 points in a single quarter, driven by Tang Tian's 27 points in a single quarter, the Spurs were only 4 points behind in the end.

The outcome is still full of suspense.

In the crucial fourth quarter, amid the cheers of the home fans, the Spurs, led by George, once again hit a climax to establish their lead.

The situation in the third quarter was repeated again in the final quarter, and the score between the two teams remained deadlocked until the end.

Although the Pelicans are in the same state tonight as they were in the last game, the Spurs did play well tonight.

Especially Leonard, he has broken his previous record of 43 points in a single playoff game, and raised the record to 50 points.

On the other side, Tang Tian has also scored a season playoff high of 60 points.

This is a showdown between gods on both sides.

30 seconds before the end, Leonard scored a difficult layup and scored his 52nd point, which also helped the Spurs tie the score at 125.

Stevens called a timeout.

The fans felt their breath hitch.

This game was really exciting, and the best game of the year is no longer possible.

After the timeout, Brogdon held the ball from outside to press the time. When the pressure reached about 10 seconds, Tang Tian ran out to catch the ball, and then accelerated forward to break through.

The Spurs teamed up with White, George and Leonard.

Tang Tian did not choose to pass the ball. He broke through from the right and accelerated, creating a bit of offensive space for himself, then jumped up and turned back toward the baseline.

Both George and Leonard flew over, their long arms intertwined.

This ball is difficult.

Tang Tian's backward range was also very large.

After the ball was released, it passed through the fingertips of George and Leonard, under the unwilling eyes of the fans at the scene.

"Uh-huh!"

The basketball goes hollow into the net.

The posture is picturesque!

127 to 125!

Tang Tian made a near-win shot!

Popovich reached out and called a timeout.

There are only 9 seconds left before the end of the game. For the Spurs, they must score in the next round.

Either a buzzer beater or overtime.

It depends on what Popovich chooses.

After the timeout, the Spurs made another substitution adjustment, and Popovich brought Baynes up.

George sent a foul ball in the frontcourt, and Leonard ran out to catch the ball.

Popovich didn't do any tricks in the end, he just handed the ball to Leonard, who was in the best shape tonight.

But the next second, the scene became restless.

Because the Pelicans are obviously defensive, and it is Tang Tian who is guarding Leonard now!

Leonard did not choose to pass the ball and directly attacked with the ball.

The two faced off from the three-point line to the free throw line, with Leonard having the greater physical advantage, but Tang Tian's defensive skills and abilities were top-notch, and it would be difficult for him to go further.

With only 4 seconds left in the blink of an eye, Leonard chose to make an emergency stop in advance.

This emergency stop created a shooting space for him, but Tang Tian jumped in the next second and interfered.

Leonard shot against the defense.

The fans at the scene gasped and looked at the ball in the air.

The ball passed Tang Tian's fingertips, but it seemed a bit short.

Obviously, the defensive pressure on Tang Tian was too much, and Leonard was unable to complete a comfortable shot.

"Bang!"

The ball hit the front of the basket and popped out!

Leonard's buzzer beater failed!

The eyes of the fans at the scene were full of despair.

The Spurs were eliminated!

But just then, Baynes used his height advantage to grab an offensive rebound, and then threw it to George on the outside!

Popovich’s final substitution is revealed!

2 seconds left.

George took the ball and saw Green coming to defend him. He hesitated and didn't take a shot, and then threw it to Leonard who ran to the three-point line again.

Leonard received a hot iron pot and took action without any time to adjust.

As soon as the ball was released, the red light on the sideline came on.

This time it was more than just breathing. The fans at the scene felt that their hearts were about to stop.

This match was so thrilling.

"Bang!"

The ball bounced off the back edge of the basket.

Obviously, the hasty shot at the last moment did not give Leonard much room for adjustment.

However, the ball bounced and then fell, grazing the edge of the basket and sliding in.

That feeling is like saying that you can't get in just for a moment, but in the end it just slides in!

Leonard's three-pointer defeated the Pelicans!

The scene exploded instantly, and the fans suddenly stood up from their seats and roared loudly.

Leonard pulled the Spurs back from the cliff!

The Spurs bench was also in a state of excitement.

Even Popovich pumped his fist excitedly.

"Incredible!"

In the commentary box, Kenny Smith sighed.

Leonard's last three-pointer was incredible, and his 55-point performance tonight was even more incredible.

Most of the expressions on the faces of the Pelicans players were helpless.

In the past, they always killed others, but no one could kill them.

Davis' expression at this time was even more remorseful. If he could protect the final defensive rebound, the Pelicans would now be close to the Western Conference finals.

But the game was over, and the final video replay requested by Stevens also confirmed that Leonard's buzzer-beater did not time out.

The two sides will return to New Orleans for the sixth game of the series.

Tang Tian saw Davis' depressed look and went over to pat him on the shoulder and touch his head.

"The winning goal is a lucky shot. They should win it. We just need to win it back in the next game."

Davis nodded after hearing Tang Tian's words.

The last ball was indeed a lucky ball as Tang Tian said, so losing this game didn't matter. What I was afraid of was losing momentum and losing consecutively.

This is how most of the reversals and comebacks in the NBA playoffs come about.

The Spurs were celebrating over there, and Tang Tian pulled the players together and said some words of encouragement to stabilize their morale.

After this was over, the celebration was almost in progress, and the two teams held a final handshake.

Tang Tian shook hands with Spurs players one after another, including Popovich.

The old man is in a good mood. Winning this game is crucial for the Spurs.

When it came time to shake hands with Leonard, Tang Tian reached out and gave him a hug.

"I know, he will see it."

While hugging, Tang Tian spoke.

"Yes, he helped me."

Leonard also said.

Today is actually a very special day for Leonard, because today is his father's birthday.

The final buzzer-beater, just like Leonard said, his father helped him secretly.