The Basketball Court Swordsman

The Thunder and Spurs, after two years, the two teams once again met in the Western Conference Finals.

Two years ago, the Thunder relied on the league's enthusiasm to counter the Spurs and advanced to the finals. But this year, San Antonio people obviously don't want to see similar things happen again. In the first two games of the series, the Spurs completely suppressed the Thunder. One of the main reasons for this is that Congolese forward Serge Ibaka missed due to injury, and the Thunder lost their most stable inside defensive gate.

In the third game of the series, Ibaka made an early comeback for the Thunder's willingness to close. With closed shots, this is a multiple choice question of choosing now or choosing the future. Closed needles can allow a player to return to the court immediately, but it is bound to affect his future career.

But the Congolese knows very well that the Thunder do not want to wait any longer. They are so close to the finals and even the championship. He is willing to overspend his future for this team. So in the third game, Ibaka made a brave comeback.

He limited Duncan to only 16 points and shot only 41%. And he scored 17 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks to help the Thunder regain a city at home.

At this point, the series battle between the Spurs and the Thunder became 1 to 2, and the Thunder avoided the embarrassing situation of 0-3 behind.

Ibaka's comeback caught Popovich off guard, but Popovich knew very well that a mere Congolese forward could not prevent the Spurs from hitting the championship. Two years ago, the Oklahoma City Thunder was promoted due to the bias of the referee's whistle. But this year, Popovich does not intend to let the tragedy repeat itself.

The San Antonio Spurs are a complete and united team, so Popovich will not worry about the sudden comeback of a mere Ibaka. He knows that the Thunder is at the end of the crossbow, and it is almost their limit to win the third game. Westbrook's immaturity and Ibaka's non-peak state determined that they could not go further.

? Of course, Popovich also knows that now is not the time to consider the finals. It's just that his thoughts are hard not to wander there, because just a day ago, the Indiana Pacers had won at the American Airlines Center and turned the series' total score into 3-0.

Paul George's ankle injury did not affect his condition in the slightest. After the second game to kill the Heat, the Pacers threw themselves out and scored an 11-point victory at the American Airlines Center.

The Heat's offense was very fierce in that game, because everyone knew that if they were beaten 3-0, the Heat's championship dream would be almost shattered. In this regard, the Heat and the Thunder are the same.

The difference is that the Spurs failed to withstand the crazy counterattack of the Thunder, and the defending champion withstood.

In the case of James and Wade both can win the game, this highlights the strength of the Pacers on the defensive end.

So now, the bandits from the cornfields of Indianapolis are almost on a rampage waiting for their next opponent in the Finals. ?

Behind 0 to 3, there has never been any team in NBA history that can make a comeback with a 0 to 3 lag.

Therefore, in addition to considering the Thunder, Popovich must prepare for a duel with his old rival Henson.

If even the Thunder are struggling, how can the Spurs compete with the Pacers this year? Popovich does not want to drag on any longer, he hopes the team can solve the Thunder within 6 games!

"Here, Pop." Just as Popovich was thinking about these miscellaneous things, the chief assistant of the Spurs after Budenholzer, Chip England, reminded the old man.

The old man looked up and saw the Chesapeake Energy Arena, which was once home to the Hornets. In the last game, his team lost here. But today, the old man will not allow his team to fall twice in the same place.

So he stood up, walked to the front of the bus, and cleared his throat.

"Listen, as long as we win the next game, we can get that **** match point! As long as we get the match point and return to San Antonio in the next game, we will have the initiative. I know, outside People say that we are old and that this is the age of a young man. But I want to tell you, that's all fart!"

If Henson was also on the Spurs team bus at this time, he would definitely be surprised that Popovich had a similar tone to himself.

"Now, step into that beautiful stadium! And when we come out, I hope we have a victory in our hands! Let's go, don't let the Pacers wait too long! Our goal, but the championship Yeah!"

Popovich waved his hand, and the Spurs rushed off the bus in excitement like bandits.

Duncan was the last of all the players to get out of the car. Before he got out of the car, Popovich also patted the "Stone Man" on the shoulder and told him, "I want to talk to you in the locker room later. Talk alone."

Seeing Popovich's serious expression, "Stone Man" nodded slightly.

"You know, they are almost entering the finals. The Miamiians are over." In a corner of the locker room, San Antonio's greatest No. 21 was bending over, leaning over to listen to a whispered white-haired man in front of him. .

"Yeah." Duncan nodded slightly, without making any extra responses. He knows very well that what Popovich calls "they" is the Spurs' biggest opponent this season, the Indiana Pacers!

"Miami people are already powerless, this fact cannot be changed. But what hasn't happened yet, there are still endless possibilities. Do you know what I mean? The championship will be waiting for us in June, we haven't lost yet. The Pacers may not be able to defeat us. Before we prove those, we are only two games away, two games. As long as we can defeat the Thunder today, I believe we will have the chance to prove ourselves after two games."

"Well," Duncan replied with just one word, but after a few seconds he added, "They are really strong, but we can defeat them."

Popovich smiled with satisfaction, yes, the Pacers are very strong. But in his hands, there is a living legend No. 21! As long as there is this big-looking guy, Popovich believes that any game has a chance of winning!

"Okay, go. From the start of this game, release all your nature. The time has come, Tim. The bloodiest period of the season has already begun. Let the Pacers **** see, we West The team is not easy to mess with."

In this way, Popovich and Tim Duncan, the mentor and apprentice, ended a brief conversation. Although the dialogue is short, the effect is outstanding.

Four hours after the two talked, at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, the Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 117-89. Even though the Thunder scored 46 points in combination, their team still lost by 28 points.

Among them, Tim Duncan scored 26 points and 12 rebounds alone, shooting 61.5% from the field. Ibaka, who was extremely excited in the third game, was defended today with 3 of 10 shots, only 6 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists. Of course, he also made 4 turnovers because of Duncan.

Duncan's excellent performance allowed the Spurs to get the match point in Oklahoma with a total score of 3-1. In the next game, the Spurs are bound to win the Western Conference in San Antonio!

In other words, after a year, the Spurs and Pacers will most likely meet again in the finals! And this time, Popovich and his players are undoubtedly coming for revenge.

After the game, Duncan, the best player of the game, accepted an interview with reporters off the court.

"Indiana Pacers? They are indeed a problem. But recalling past failures helps us to some extent. But the most important thing is to work **** the court and implement the coaching tactics. And now there is some talk about the finals. It's too early. The Western Conference Finals are not over yet."

Although Duncan said so, everyone knew it well. When the Spurs achieved a 3-1 lead. The Western Conference Finals, like the Eastern Conference Finals, have actually ended early...