Popovich's source of confidence is also the source of fear for the Grizzlies.

Rondo was actually willing to join the Spurs at a salary lower than his net worth. This was something that no one expected. He thought he would go to the Jazz and Hawks with room to pay a maximum salary and a good lineup.

Who knew that Rondo was willing to play as a substitute for the Spurs!

Popovich is a very flexible head coach. It can be seen from the way Duncan used his three peak periods. When Duncan first entered the NBA, he played a double tower tactic with David Robinson in high and low posts, and passed the test.

The main focus is on the hoop and flying in the sky; after Duncan's first major injury in 2000, the 2001 season became the main focus of low-post back-playing and high-post support; now it has become the main focus of mid-range shots and high-post support.

Rondo, a player with team priority, strong defense and strong command ability on the field, does not consider personality factors, is very suitable for Popovich, and gives Popovich a way to concentrate the ball that he could never try before.

.

Everything has two sides, and the ball rights are concentrated, so it is difficult to ensure that the characteristics of each player are played.

However, completely team-oriented will face a situation where it is difficult to break the deadlock when the situation is anxious. Just like last season's playoffs, the Spurs were obviously very anxious with the Lakers, but when it is anxious, Kobe and Leonard always rely on the situation.

James' restraint and co-defense ability help the Grizzlies gain an advantage on both offense and defense.

In the past, they had Ginobili to rely on, but now Ginobili has less and less time to enter the demon sword state, and the probability of a pit is higher than the probability of an outbreak, which is one of the places they are regarded as hidden dangers at the beginning of the season.

But with Rondo, although Rondo is not good at scoring, his key game is not vague. The active players have obtained large triple-double data of 3 times 15 in the playoffs, except Sun Ce, Rondo, and there is no one else.

It's right.

Looking at the quiet man Rondo who was on the bench after entering the game, he averaged 8.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game this season. After playing 30 games, Sun Ce knew that Rondo was willing to reduce his salary to join the Spurs.

What is the probability of integrating into the Spurs?

Everyone is willing to cut their salary, so what else can't be sacrificed?

The two teams have a good relationship outside the court, but on the court, the two sides have a big grudge. In the past few years, they have fought many times in the playoffs and have won and lost each other. Both teams regard each other as one of the strongest opponents in the playoffs.

The game is about to begin, and both teams are very focused on making the final preparations.

At 6:58, the referee signaled the two teams to appear.

The first three Christmas games today have been played, and there is no overtime, so the game between the Grizzlies and the Spurs is very punctual.

In the first Christmas game, the Bulls narrowly defeated the Heat. Rose made the Heat have no choice but to make two consecutive long shots at the critical moment. Originally, Rose had a strong pick-and-roll attack ability, but now the mid- and long shots are getting better and better, and he is starting to approach.

There is no solution.

After several years of foundation, Ross has surpassed Evans this season.

The three-pointer and a mid-range shot at 3:26 pm this afternoon helped the Bulls secure the victory.

The Knicks and the 76ers' game was more concerned than the first game. After all, it was the Knicks' game, and there was also the topic of grudges between Howard and his old club. However, the Knicks are not the 76ers' team.

The opponents, Dragic and Howard, are not Evans and Greece Gasol. Greece has continued the performance of the league's first center this season, pressing the rhythm to the death and helping to defeat the Knicks.

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In the third game, the Warriors beat the Pelicans away, showing their dominance.

Unlike previous years, the Christmas battle was the dividing line between the early and mid-season, this season's Christmas battle is regarded as the beginning of the mid-season.

Except for the Warriors who scored 31 points with Curry's 6 three-pointers in a single game, Harden scored 39 points and scored 70 points together to make the score soar. The teams in the other two games scored lower than

Early season.

Some experts gave an evaluation after the first three games. All teams began to adapt to the defense under the new rules. The league averaged up to 106.7 points in the early stage of the season, and by the end of the season, it is likely to drop to 103-105.

The points are not as scary as two or three points higher than the average score of last season.

This is a sign. The Grizzlies averaged as much as 118.9 points during their 27-game winning streak, but now it has dropped to 115.5 points.

Back to the Memphis FedEx Arena, the game is about to begin. At the referee's instructions, Duncan, the Spurs' strongest player, has been around for 18 years, led Parker, Danny Green, Guy, and Spliy

Special lineup debuts.

On the Grizzlies, Sun Ce, Klay Thompson, Paul George, Randolph and Aldridge are on the luxury lineup.

Aldridge and Duncan came to the middle circle to jump the ball.

Sun Ce felt that Duncan was really in a miserable life. At this age, he was the one who could jump the most in the Spurs inside. If he hadn't dyed his hair, Duncan would have white hair.

Moreover, Duncan averaged 15 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2.1 blocks, 0.8 steals per game this season, and got it during his 28.5 minutes of playing time per game... That's 4 months away from being 39 years old, and the s-level ability evaluation

Sun Ce couldn't help but complain about other insiders' lives.

The Spurs' highest scorer this season is still Guy, averaging 21.2 points per game and playing 31 minutes per game. He is actually the player with the highest playing time in the Spurs.

This is why the last time they played against the Spurs, even though the Spurs rested, Parker, Guy, Duncan, and the Grizzlies played very hard. The opponents are cheap but they play very well in the Spurs system.

Players can rotate and ensure their strength.

At 7 p.m., the referee blew the whistle at the beginning of the game and threw the ball into the air.

Aldridge beat Duncan to win the jump ball, and the Grizzlies attacked first!

Paul George advanced to the frontcourt, he was not easy to play against Danny Green, this guy had excellent defense and was one of the best defenders in the league. Aldridge was not easy to play against Duncan, Sun Ce played against blocks

I was not easy to play, Randolph was not easy to play... Relatively speaking, Sun Ce would be better to play, Paul George signaled Sun Ce to go to the high position on the right to catch the ball.

Sun Ce came to the high position on the right side of the free throw line and relied on Guy to receive the ball.

Paul George hung the ball to Sun Ce and pulled it to the right side line. Aldridge came to the left side line. Klay Thompson went to the left corner on the left, and Randolph went to the left side of the three-second zone.

Guy is under great pressure to defend Sun Ce. With almost the same height and wingspan, in terms of confrontation, he no longer has the advantage in other aspects except for explosive power and explosion speed. Sun Ce is stronger in the static power and cannot prevent Sun Ce from getting into the position and getting the ball.

Feeling the pressure coming from behind, Sun Ce felt it was okay, so he took a step forward and slapped the ball. Guy immediately pressed up to avoid being turned around and leaned back to jump shot. Sun Ce's turn over and lean back to jump shot is a move that the opponent must guard against.

The skills are getting stronger.

But Sun Ce was a fake move! Taking advantage of Guy's move forward, Sun Ce swung the ball behind Guy's back with his left hand, and turned left to break through the bottom line!

There is no way to defend this. This is a left-handed move. A player like Sun Ce can control the ball with both left and right hands. The shooting is too unfriendly to the opponent!

Guy quickly turned around and chased. At this time, Duncan also retracted to the reasonable collision zone. Sun Ce went to the bottom line. Guy could chase and defend. Guy's arm span was slightly longer than Sun Ce, 221 cm, not as passive as other forward players defended Sun Ce.

, If Sun Ce burst under the basket, Duncan could form a pincer attack.

Sun Ce broke to the bottom line and turned around and jumped, passing it to Aldridge on the left side of the free throw line.

Split switched quickly and could hand the basket over to Duncan who had already been retracted. Split rushed to Aldridge at the first time, but Aldridge was ready to shoot after receiving the ball, and the free throw line was at the distance.

A backward jump shot shot... hit!

Randolph's threat of eating cake, Sun Ce's low-post scoring threat, double 3D outside restraint, Aldridge's accurate mid-range shot... The Grizzlies only played their first offense, and Popovich's side just said F

The words at the beginning are spewed out.

Triangle Attack!

It's actually a triangular attack!

He thought the Grizzlies had given up on the triangular offense because they played very little in the new season.

However, playing less does not mean that there is no fight. Except for the 5-day and 4 games before the Christmas holiday, the Grizzlies played more or less triangular attacks in the first 28 games, giving Brian Xiao time to practice his tactical conception

, always adjusting.

On the 23rd, the Grizzlies prepared for the Christmas battle with the Spurs, and the stage tactics proposed was a new version of the triangle offense!

Popovich had thought that the Grizzlies would use triangle offense against them, but thought it would be Randolph and Sunce, Paul George, and Aldridge and Klay Thompson as pitchers.

The starting point is not Randolph, who has the strongest singles ability in the game at low posts, but Sun Ce turns around and cuts in to create a threat, with Sun Ce as the starting point, Aldridge as the end point, and Randolph as the contact point.

Popovich unexpectedly expected this change. He is the type of head coach who has stronger pre-game preparation than on-the-spot adaptability. The only way he can think of is to raise the rhythm!

When the Spurs attacked, Duncan seized the opportunity and cut in and received Guy's second pass and layup to score two points. The Grizzlies' lineup's defense is indeed not enough, and it cannot be said that it is not bad, but it is only average, and it is difficult to defend the Spurs.

The attack was completed in just 11 seconds. Popovich always swallowed up what he said. Back then, he hated fast attack the most and three-pointers the most. Now they are playing brisk attacks, with the best three-pointers at open positions.

One of the teams.

After the first round, the two teams clearly felt what the other party wanted to do.

The Grizzlies want to use five All-Star players to fight the position and slowly endure the battle, while the Spurs want to speed up and play out the advantage of the light offensive.

It was in a confrontation from the beginning!
Chapter completed!