Chapter 614

The state of the Spurs is indeed not very good.

Their three-point shooting rate tonight was frighteningly low, only 2 of 8 shots, and they didn't make a single three-pointer in the entire third quarter.

Popovich has always claimed that "I hate three-pointers the most", but in fact, from a very early time, the Spurs have been a team that utilizes and develops three-pointers to a high degree.

And the touch of a three-pointer often comes as soon as it is said.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Li Liang rested off the court, and Bird let Stephenson lead the second team on the court.

Bird is examining Stephenson's role in the second unit.

If the effect is good, he will consider putting Stephenson on the bench and playing the role of sixth man.

In terms of function and personality, Finsen is actually very suitable for the role of the sixth man.

Of course, it takes practice to know whether it is suitable or not.

The Spurs opened the first attack in the fourth quarter. With 14 points behind, the Spurs still played methodically and ran tactics seriously.

In the end, Belinelli found an open opportunity at 45 degrees on the right side, and after receiving the pass, he made a three-pointer.

This is a key three-pointer.

Starting from the third quarter, the Pacers pursued a strategy of shrinking defense because the Spurs were not good at three-pointers.

If the Spurs can't make a shot, the Pacers will shrink even more.

When the overall height and the inside line are not dominant, the Pacers rely on shrinking defense to contain the Spurs' offense, which has achieved very good results.

But as soon as the fourth quarter came up, the Spurs made a three-pointer, which meant that the Pacers' defense was going to be in trouble.

Subsequently, Luis Scola broke into the center after receiving a pass from Finsen, and then distributed the ball to the wing, but there was a mistake.

The ball was intercepted by Dior, and the Spurs did not make a quick counterattack, but stabilized their position and attacked.

Diaw handed the ball to Parker. He fell into the low post and beat Scola with the ball. When the Pacers double-teamed, he made a clever ground pass to Pelinelli who was inserted in the middle. Pele Neri caught the ball and made another layup.

The point difference caught up to 9 points.

Finsen then passed the ball to Scola for a mid-range shot, but missed.

But Rudez on the inside grabbed the offensive rebound and made a layup to score two points.

Li Liangdu stood up and applauded for Lu Dairi. It was not easy to score one board and two points in one attack.

But after all, such balls appear very rarely, and the Pacers cannot rely on Ludez's rebounds to live.

Spurs backup guard Joseph broke through the middle of the basket, avoided Rudez's block, and made a layup.

Afterwards, Scola and Stephenson moved to the bottom line after the pick-and-roll, caught the ball and shot a mid-range jumper.

The point difference is still maintained. It seems that Stephenson is still playing well when he has possession of the ball and has a calm mind.

But the Spurs play better offensively.

Their outside touch has recovered.

Belinelli holds the ball to the front court, and a simple return ball is given to Diao who is keeping up.

Diaw took the ball and made a three-point shot directly - Scola was too late to interfere when he stood inside the three-point line.

"Shua!"

There was a crisp sound of the ball scraping the net, and it hit.

The second three-pointer in the fourth quarter was made, and the Spurs' recovered three-pointer made the Pacers' defensive pressure greatly increased.

When Lance Stephenson chose to attack by himself but missed, Belinelli broke through and made another throw in the counterattack. The score came to 90:84, and the Spurs were still 6 points behind.

Bird called a timeout, and if he was chased like this, the Spurs would soon turn the situation around again.

Li Liang and McGee replaced Rudez and Scola.

Bird still doesn't want to use a small lineup. Firstly, this lineup is not particularly stable. Secondly, it is a kind of consumption for him to keep Li Liang playing center, and he is always unwilling.

In the first attack after the timeout, Li Liang catches the ball with his back at the horns, and then receives a [Bill Wharton's pass behind the head] to assist Stephenson, who is in an air cut. Stephenson catches the ball and lays up easily Down two points.

Popovich couldn't help shaking his head while sitting on the sidelines.

Why does Bruce Lee feel like he has to learn everything?

He entered the league a year later than Leonard and was a little older, but he learned things really quickly.

Popovich felt a little regretful again. In the summer, he should increase his bargaining chips and replace Li Liang.

After that, Leonard held the ball and played Li Liang one-on-one. As a result, his fadeaway jumper missed the basket and hit the backboard and missed.

McGee got a backcourt rebound and the Pacers counterattacked.

Stephenson pushed the offensive speed up, CJ Miles had a good chance in the bottom corner, the ball was passed, but unfortunately the three-pointer shot was missed.

The Spurs guard Joseph, after using a simple pick-and-roll in the high position, hit a mid-range jumper at the top of the arc and scored two points.

The role players of the Spurs are indeed very daring to play. No matter what players sound unknown, they become daring to play when they come to the Spurs. I have to say that Popovich is very good at training players.

As for the Pacers, after Li Liang reappeared, the team found the backbone of the offense, stabilized the situation, and maintained the point difference at around 5 points.

With 5 minutes left before the end of the game, it felt like the Spurs were going to be overwhelmed.

Every time the Spurs score a goal, Li Liang can use his personal ability or goals or assists to suppress the Spurs' counterattack.

If it was the NBA 10 years ago, with a gap of 5 points in the last 5 minutes, the dialogue between strong defensive teams was really difficult to follow.

But this is the 2014-2015 season, and the NBA is no longer the same.

Popovich called a timeout, replaced Diaw, and adopted a lineup of Duncan, Ginobili, Parker, Greena Leonard, and four minors.

On the first ball after a timeout, Ginobili used a cover from Duncan on the outside and hit a three-pointer!

Ginobili didn't play very well throughout the game, but he was still able to score at critical moments.

Following Duncan, Leonard began to double-team Li Liang.

Li Liang passed the ball to JR-Smith, and Smith missed an open three-pointer.

The Spurs got a backcourt rebound, and Parker found Leonard in the corner after halftime.

Leonard avoided JR-Smith's block with a fake shot, then adjusted his pace and posture, and also made a three-pointer from the bottom corner...the goal was scored!

Overtake!

In just two rounds of offense and defense, the Pacers failed to grasp an open three-pointer, and the Spurs overtook the score.

Only a minute later, the situation changed dramatically.

Bird immediately called a timeout.

I didn't want to use a small lineup at first, but it seems that I don't need it.

Li Liang knew that Bird was going to let him play center again, so he made a suggestion, "Larry, can you let Danny play? Let him try?"

Li Liang wanted Granger to play with him for a while.

Although the medicine has not been taken for a long time, it should have some effect.

Byrd hesitated and thought for a while, thinking that he could give it a try.

The original small lineup that the Pacers lined up was to let Li Liang play the center, Scola was the forward position, and Stephenson, JR-Smith and Sloan were in the backcourt.

But Scola's defense is not a small problem, and the offensive end is not flexible enough.

Bird's idea is that David West will come back to replace Scola.

In fact, West is basically the same as Scola in terms of offensive methods and offensive range, but the offensive threat is greater, the body is stronger, and the defense is better.

Granger is different, he is a completely different player in terms of style - of course, the premise is that he can recover at least 60% to 70% of the past.

Bird doesn't think Granger can return to this form, or he wouldn't have been traded last year.

But since Boss Li had spoken, of course Granger had to go up and give it a try, to prove that Bird's vision was not wrong.

It's not that I'm ruthless, but that this world is just this sub, survival of the fittest.

So Granger went into battle without any previous appearances, and the Pacers formed a combination of Li Liang, Granger, Finsen, and Smith Gaslon.

The Spurs are one big and four small, and the Pacers have no big five (no) small lineups, also known as neither big nor small.

This is a big test for the Pacers' defense.

But Li Liang withstood the test.

For the first ball after his debut, Li Liang chose to hold the ball in a high position and charged Leonard face to face!

To be honest, with Leonard's defensive level, it is difficult for the entire league, including James and Durant, to rush down one-on-one.

But Li Liang can do it, what do you rely on?

momentum!

This psychological advantage is crucial to a one-on-one high-level offensive and defensive duel.

The result was that Li Liangqiang killed the basket, and then caused Leonard's foul and went to the free throw line.

Leonard spread his hands at the referee, he didn't know why he fouled.

Don't say you don't know, Li Liang doesn't know either, it's a foul anyway.

With two free throws, the Pacers regained their advantage on the court.

On the defensive end, Duncan once again tried to play Li Liang one-on-one.

As a result, Li Liang activated the skill [Death Coil] and directly broke the ball from Duncan's hands.

After successfully stealing the ball, the Pacers launched a three-line fast break, the ball passed quickly, and finally passed to Danny Granger.

Granger catches the ball, makes a quick attack on the basket, avoids Leonard's block, and successfully dunks with one hand!

The home fans were silent, but the Pacers' bench exploded.

Mike - Brown stood up from the stool, raised his hands in cheers for Granger.

Nice fast break, nice dodge, nice dunk.

Granger feels that his physical condition is quite good, the best in the past two years.

Although it is not possible to return to the peak, it is better than faltering.

Bird was a little surprised, Granger can dunk like this?

Strange, obviously it shouldn't be possible.

This goal greatly boosted the morale of the Pacers.

Subsequently, Ginobili broke through the basket and was interfered by Li Liang and missed a layup.

Granger grabbed the backcourt rebound, then passed the ball to Li Liang, and controlled the rhythm to attack.

This is the difference between Granger and Finsen.

This should be replaced by Finsen. In such a good situation, it would be reckless to get a backcourt rebound!

Li Liang personally controlled the ball for halftime, and still faced Leonard one-on-one at the top of the arc.

Two years ago, Li Liang, who was at the top of the arc, could only catch the ball and make a transition. Two years later, he has been able to organize with the ball.

He held down the clock and watched the attack clock come to the last 5 seconds. After an accelerated dribble, a weird smile appeared on his face, followed by an emergency stop jump shot!

[Sam Cassell's smile! 】

The ball is hollow into the net! Two more points.

This attack took more than 20 seconds.

Li Liang's so-called "field control ability" has become stronger and more skilled in the use of skills.

Leonard was still expressionless, but a minute later, Li Liang's eyes flashed [anger value +20, from Kawhien-Leonard. 】

Alas, what's the use of being incompetent and slightly angry?