The Basketball Court Swordsman

The two offenses at the beginning of the first quarter set a basic tone for the next game. The pace of the two sides is not fast, most of the time they are fighting positional wars. But the efficiency of both teams is very high, because they can always use superb passing to find the opposing defensive gap.

After the first quarter, the Pacers only led the Spurs by one point 24 to 23. The original point difference has been widened a bit, but the "Demon Blade" Ginobili, who came on the bench, scored many goals that were not "Spurs".

Ginobili is such a player, he always makes Popovich love and hate. His arrogant passing is always between turnovers and assists, and his way of scoring is not conventional. However, this is exactly why he is called "Demon Blade".

"Sure enough, the Spurs' calmness makes them unlikely to fall behind too much. There were no mistakes on both sides today, so the Pacers did not get any chance of counterattack. However, entering the position to attack, this is exactly what the Spurs hope to see."

Mike Brin is right, slow-paced positional battles, this is the Spurs' favorite rhythm. Although Henson does not reject playing positional warfare, he does not want the Spurs to play this game comfortably. He needs to widen the point difference, in the case of positional warfare. There is only one way to quickly open the point difference in a positional battle-three-pointers.

"Look for more opportunities outside the opponent's three-point line, and be more active with off-ball screens and off-ball running. Seize the opportunity and stabilize the defense. As long as we can make a few **** three-pointers, the point difference can be pulled. It's open!" During the break, Henson's arrangement was also very clear. He asked the players to take more shots outside the three-point line.

To this end, Henson replaced Ray Allen and Danny Green. Although Leonard can also shoot three-pointers, there is no doubt that Danny Green is more accomplished in three-pointers. George played a lot of time in the first quarter and needed a few more minutes of rest, so Ray Allen continued to play.

The Spurs are the best mid-range team in the league, but don't forget that the Pacers were one of the best three-pointers in the league.

On the other side, Popovich and his assistant Budenhorse are also trying to figure out Henson's psychology. The old man finally decided to protect the rim. After all, the offensive method of three-point shooting is extremely unstable. You may kill your opponent, or you may kill yourself.

"If the opponent really widens the point difference with a three-pointer...Don't hesitate, hit the ball inside as much as possible!" Popovich confessed, and the inter-period break just ended.

With brand-new adjustments and strategies, the two coaches started fighting again!

With the first goal of the opening game in the second quarter, Paul clearly saw that the Spurs' defense is still focused on protecting the basket, which could not help but boost his confidence. In the first quarter of today’s game, the Pacers’ finishing rate at the basket was actually very average. The reason is that the Spurs’ defensive system can make players who break into the basket instantly fall into a circle.

This kind of defensive mobility is absolutely invisible to the Heat. Indeed, the Heat's defense is very tough. Anyone who has watched the previous round knows how intense the physical confrontation between the two teams is on the court. But the toughness and the lack of tactics caused the Heat's defense to still not cause too much trouble for the Pacers.

But the Spurs are just the opposite. They give the Pacers a moderate amount of physical confrontation on the defensive end, but the tactics are executed very decisively. Use the power of multiple people to contain the powerful impact of the walkers. Facts have proved that Popovich's defensive strategy is successful. The Pacers only scored 24 points in the first quarter, which is enough to explain the problem.

Therefore, Popovich has no reason to change strategy in the second quarter. Even though, he guessed somewhat of Henson's idea of ​​playing a three-pointer.

Paul stopped at the distance between the three-point line and the midfield line, so that his vision could see the two bottom corners. Both Ray Allen and Green are seeking opportunities by running empty-handed, but Paul knows how much responsibility he has. If your teammate ran out of the opportunity and he didn't see it or passed the ball in time, then with the Spurs' defensive level, the opportunity would cease to exist.

So every goal scored in the attack seems to be the scorer's credit. But among them, the screeners and passers and even the decoy to pull the defense actually have credit.

At this moment, Paul saw Ray Allen run through Horford's cover and a reverse run, throwing Gary Neal a little away. Chris Paul did not hesitate, or even concealed his intentions with false eye movements. He used his waist to drive his arms and threw the basketball to Ray Allen's veteran shooter!

Paul's passing speed is very fast! And a shooter like Ray Allen is always ready to catch the ball.

"Snapped!"

Ray Allen steadily caught Paul's pass. At this time, Gary Neal had gotten rid of Horford, but Ray Allen was still one step away. This distance is enough for the player with the most three-pointers in the league!

"Look, I'll just say that the kid would have the idea of ​​a three-pointer." Popovich shook his head when he saw Ray Allen shooting. He knew that Gary Neal could no longer interfere with Ray Allen. The only thing that can prevent Ray Allen from scoring now is his own touch.

Unfortunately, Ray Allen feels hot today. As soon as the game came up in the second quarter, the Pacers helped the Pacers hit three points!

"Good shot, Chris Paul deserves to be the master of play. On the offensive end, he can see the situation in any corner of the court! Ray Allen's final blow and Paul's timely pass are simply perfect!"

Henson was glad that his tactics were successful as soon as he came up, but he was not complacent. In the regular season, a few three-pointers are enough to open the score and completely destroy the opponent's confidence. But his opponent today is Popovich's Spurs!

In the subsequent attack, "French Trot" Tony Parker's layup was hit by Horford's active interference. But the Brazilian Splitter took advantage of the gap where Horford threw out and scored an offensive rebound. It's just a pity that Split is always just a blue-collar, and his finishing ability at the basket is not strong.

After getting the rebound and landing, Split immediately took off twice. But at this time Horford had rushed back and raised his arms under the basket to interfere with Split's layup. In this way, Al Horford missed Split's offense without jumping at all.

The Spurs did not convert offensive rebounds into points, and the Pacers have a chance to widen the point difference!

The Spurs did not retreat as quickly as the Heat, but they were stable. They can block the route and passing angle that should be blocked.

Although the Heat's retreat was quick, it was a bit messy. For example, several times, Bosh and Joe Anthony quickly retreated to the basket, but found that Al Horford had stayed outside the three-point line, which caused a miss. But the Spurs' retreat will never make such a mistake.

Perhaps this is why the Heat failed to reach the finals. These small details are sometimes enough to make the two teams open the gap.

For the second offense in the second quarter, Paul still found Ray Allen. But with the lessons learned last time, the Spurs switched defenses when Ray Allen took advantage of the off-ball screen. Stephen Jackson crossed to Ray Allen, while Gary Neal went straight to Green.

Ray Allen did not make a strong shot, but returned the ball to Paul, who broke through directly after receiving the ball!

"It seems that the Pacers' tactics have not been played out." Mike Brin shook his head, the same way, but can not defeat the Spurs twice!

But people did not see that at the moment Paul broke through, Danny Green went round the bottom corner to the top of the arc, while David West moved up from the three-second zone to the high post, which happened to block Neal who was defending Green.

Paul on the move seems to have eyes behind his back, moving the basketball to the top of the arc on a large scale!

"Danny Green, an open shot opportunity!"

Danny Green, the "runner" who used to have no team needs and played in the Development League, does not know what greatness he will create in this year's playoffs.

It's Gary Neal again, and Henson believes that his defensive weakness is playing. You don't have to break through the weak points of defense. You can also hit the ball by shooting.

Green's shot is very stable, in fact, Green has always been a very optimistic player for Popovich. Since the league had Henson, Popovich has found that it has become more and more difficult for the Spurs to miss a low overall pick.

It's not because the Spurs' vision has deteriorated, but because they have one more competitor who is missing together.

Neal was sweating, and he knew that if this goal were to score again, the team would lose 6 points because of himself. He prayed countless times in his heart, praying that the ball would not hit. This is a three-point shot after all, and the uncertainty of the three-point shot is too great.

However, Neal's self-comfort did not come true. Green's three-pointer was as steady as Ray Allen, and the tumbling sound of the Nets stirred the entire Bankers Life Arena. Of course, it also made Gary Neal and Popovich very heartfelt.

Counting the 1 point lead at the end of the first quarter, plus the two three-pointers now, the Pacers instantly opened the point difference to 7 points! In another round like this, the points difference will be in double digits.

"Would you like to pause?" Budenholzer was nervous, but Popovich didn't rush.

"Look again."

As a result, the Spurs' offense still failed this time, and Gary Neal got an open three-pointer. But I don't know if the defense just made Neal lose confidence. He actually didn't grasp the open three-pointer, a "required skill" for every Spurs outside player.

The most terrible thing is that this ball also formed a long rebound. Chris Paul caught Parker's ball jersey with a small motion at the mid-range position, and then he jumped high and collected the rebound ball!

After catching the rebound and landing, Paul didn't even stand firm, so he directly launched a long backcourt pass!

In fact, Paul had already seen Green running forward while he was in the air. If he wants to, he can pass the ball directly in the air! But at that time, Green hadn't got rid of "Martial Saint" Jackson, so Paul didn't do that.

"A direct attack is something Popovich doesn't want to see!"

After receiving the long pass, Green ran with all his strength, and Stephen Jackson naturally did not give in. Just as Jackson was pursuing with all his strength, Danny Green suddenly stopped outside the three-point line!

Generally speaking, a fast counterattack will hit the ball inside, after all, this has the highest success rate. Chasing one-third of the body is a great reward, but also a higher risk.

Therefore, Jackson did not expect Green to stop outside the three-point line. He rushed over the head due to inertia, leaving Green shooting space!

This seemingly tepid, but in fact, superior "3D guard" did not hesitate to stop and take a three-pointer!

The ball seemed unreasonable, but Henson did not blame Green. When a shooter's hand feels warm, any shot he throws is reasonable!

Duncan and Splitter have rushed to the basket with open arms and jammed, ready to protect the rebound. However, the basketball fell directly into the net and Danny Green made the second consecutive three-pointer!

"Green, this kid is on fire!" Mike Brin cheered.

"Hey." Popovich sighed, and then stopped the game.

Green's three-pointer allowed the Pacers to widen the difference to double digits at the beginning of the second quarter! In a positional battle with a three-pointer to open the score, Henson's plan was once again successful! And Green's performance surprised Henson. This guy feels like a top shooter in the finals!

10 points, this point difference is not easy to equalize for teams that like to play positional warfare. Henson gave his own problem, and now it's Popovich's turn to take over.