Starting from the last bus in the NBA

Chapter 179 The Final Battle 3
The end of the first quarter, 23:22.

The Sonics have always led by one point, and with their home court advantage, they are still the side with a better chance.

However, this game was very difficult.

Not only reflected in the score, but also in the whole game, boring and stiff.

There is no way, at this point in the game, the fight is all about hard power, and it is basically impossible to think of surprises.

As for hard power, the Spurs and the Supersonics can only be regarded as evenly matched.

This situation continued from the first quarter to the second quarter and even the second half.

Not only that, but also from the starting lineup to the bench.

Throughout the first half of the game, the score between the two sides was 46:44, with the Sonics leading by 2 points.

I have to say that with this score, one inefficiency is highlighted.

超音速队在整个上半场，40投16中，三分球12中5，还有12罚9中的罚球。

A 40% hit rate is, it has to be said, a bit low.

If it weren't for the three-pointer to stabilize the situation, maybe they would be the one behind.

Of course, the Spurs didn't fare much better.

41投18中，三分球6中1，罚球10中7，命中率也只有44%。

No way, the Sonics' offense is more free throws from the outside, and the end point is also outside.

As perimeter players, no matter how well Wang Hao and Gary Payton play, it is impossible for them to have a high shooting percentage.

After all, the Spurs' defense is here.

The closer you are to the basket, the higher your shooting percentage. This is not a casual saying, but the truth.

During the halftime break, Paul Westphal looked at everyone with calm eyes and said.

"Everyone, it's time for the real decisive battle. This is our home field, is it our territory?
Are you willing to watch your opponent win here and show off your power here? "

"Since you don't want to, then go for it and spare no effort to fight for this victory.

Whether a whole season of hard work can achieve a satisfactory result for everyone is the last 24 minutes. "

……

Paul Westphal's suit is still neat and his hair is meticulously combed.

It seems that this is clearly a coach who flatters and humiliates.

It's just that the sweat on the forehead from time to time, as well as the soaked shirt, obviously don't think so.

As a head coach, he is equally stressed.

Some people may find it difficult to understand. After all, this is not the finals, but the second round of the playoffs.

Is it possible that if you win this game, you will win the championship?
Of course not, even if they beat the Spurs, there is still the invincible Lakers.

There's still a Western Conference title to contend for, and a championship to contend with.

However, if you don't accumulate steps, you can go a thousand miles, and you can't even pass the first round of the playoffs. How about a championship?
Not every team is qualified to talk about the championship, but no team will give up easily.

A team that will give up lightly is not qualified to compete for the championship.

And an uncompetitive player is not eligible for a championship.

Oh, you want to say brother wolfberry?

It's not that they are so Buddhist that they have no desires and desires, but they just plan to fight until they are 50 years old and make more money.

Besides, looking at his independent leadership results, as well as those of his peers, it is already very telling.

Without a strong competitive spirit and fighting for it, then you can only be a supporting role.

In the world of sports, just like in the world of movies, only the protagonist has the most lights.

Okay, let's get off topic.

By this time, throughout half-time, Paul Westphal was emphasizing one thing.

In addition to tactics and techniques, this is also a competition of will.

Of course, in addition to pouring poisonous chicken soup, Paul Westphal did not forget to formulate tactics.

Rashard Lewis started the second half.

Throughout the first four games of the playoffs, Lewis averaged 13.4 points per game, the team's third-leading scorer.

It's a pity that, as a forward swingman in the third and fourth positions, he averaged only 3.5 rebounds per game.

Coupled with the lack of defense, it is difficult for him to take on the heavy responsibility of starting.

After all, the Sonics only have Wen Baker and the old Horace inside, but there is no Warcraft.

At the beginning of the second half of the game, the Spurs continued to make substitutions in order to prevent Johnson from being stared at by Gary Payton.

However, this time, it was Lewis he wanted to guard against.

The height gap of nearly 30 centimeters allows Lewis to almost completely ignore Johnson's defense.

Wang Hao quickly moved the ball near the bottom line, and Lewis made an easy mid-range hit.

48:44
However, a huge advantage in offense also means a huge loophole in defense.

Although Mario is old, but experience is here, a change in rhythm can easily complete a breakthrough.

Once breaking through to the inside, the Sonics' defense quickly shrunk, which gave opportunities to the outside.

Duncan responded to Mario on the inside and used it as a transfer point to transfer the ball to the outside.

Johnson ran quickly to get rid of Gary Payton to get a chance and hit a mid-range jumper.

48:46
I have to say, this is the most comprehensive player!

It can be said that there is only one reason why the Spurs can persist until this point in the entire series, Duncan.

Perhaps, his scoring is not as good as O'Neal, his stability is not as good as Karl Malone, and his explosion is not as good as David Robinson.

But Duncan is too stable. Whether it is offense or defense, he has always maintained the top stability.

The two sides came and went. In the third quarter alone, the two sides took the lead alternately 12 times.

But no matter who it is, they can't find a good way to open the score in one fell swoop, and no one can do anything to anyone.

It seems that everything is developing as most people expected, and the anxious score will continue until the last moment.

The last quarter, even the last five minutes, even the last play.

NBA playoffs, the first round of the Western Conference, 9 minutes and 56 seconds of the fourth quarter of Game 71, 73:2, the Sonics trailed by [-] points.

"Gary, you have two minutes to rest, Salmond, there is only one thing I want you to do, and that is to stabilize the situation."

That's right, Paul Westphal is already preparing for the final showdown.

In the case of ensuring that the point difference is not widened, let the core players get enough rest time.

It's not just Paul Westphal doing this, it's the same with the Spurs.

The 35-year-old David Robinson has already left the field early, and Duncan has just been replaced to recover a little strength.

But at this time, Wang Hao, who had just rested, returned to the arena again.

Playing at this time basically means that Wang Hao will no longer have a rest time, but needs to persist until the end of the game.

In this game, he has played nearly 30 minutes, and the whole game basically ran for 40 minutes.

However, this is definitely not a problem for Wang Hao, who is less than 20 years old.

Perhaps, everyone has not noticed that there is such a special existence as Wang Hao on the court today.

Throughout the game, under the pressure of the Spurs' defense, Wang Hao actually didn't get too many good opportunities.

In the case of being targeted, he is now unable to deal with the strength of the entire team by himself.

(End of this chapter)