The Spurs are not in good shape.

Their three-point shooting percentage was so low tonight, with 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, since a long time ago, the Spurs have been a team that uses three-pointers and has a high level of development.

And the three-pointer feel is often the case.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Li Liang rested off the court, and Bird asked Stephenson to bring the second team on the court.

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

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

From the perspective of functions, personality and other aspects, Fenson is actually very suitable for the role of the sixth person.

Of course, whether it is suitable or not needs to be practiced to know.

The Spurs started the first attack in the fourth quarter. While 14 points behind, the Spurs still played in an orderly manner and ran the tactics seriously.

Finally, Pelinelli found an opportunity to open at 45 degrees on the right, and then received the pass and made a three-pointer.

This is a key three-pointer.

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

The Spurs fail to make a shot, the Pacers shrink.

With overall height and no advantage in the inside, the Pacers rely on shrinking defense to curb the Spurs' offense and achieved good results.

But the Spurs made a three-pointer as soon as they came up in the fourth quarter, which means that the Pacers' defense will be in trouble.

Then, Louis Scola received Fenson's pass and broke into the middle, then passed the ball to the wing, but made a mistake.

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

Dior handed the ball to Parker, and when he landed at the low post, he played Scola with the ball. With the Pacers double-teamed, a clever pass to Bailini who was inserted into the middle. Bailini received the ball and made a layup again.

The difference is 9 points.

Finson passed the ball to Scola again and made a mid-range shot, but failed to make a shot.

But Lu Dairi, who was inside, grabbed the frontcourt rebound, then made a layup and scored two points.

Li Liang stood up and applauded Lu Dairi. It was not easy to score one offense and two points in one offense.

But such a ball appears very few times after all, and the Pacers cannot rely on Lu Dairi's rebounds to live.

Spurs substitute guard Joseph broke through the basket in the middle, avoided Lu Dairi's block and made a layup.

Then, Scola and Stephenson cooperated with the pick-and-roll and moved to the bottom line, receiving the ball and making a jump shot from the middle distance.

The score difference was still maintained. It seemed that Stephenson still played well without holding the ball and calming his mind.

But the Spurs attacked better.

Their external touch has revived.

Pelinelli took the ball to the frontcourt, and a simple return was given to Dior who was following.

Dior took a three-pointer when he received the ball - Scola didn't even have time to interfere even when he stood inside the three-point line.

"Swish!"

A crisp sound of a ball rubbing against the net hit.

The second three-pointer in the fourth quarter was the Spurs' recovery three-point shooting percentage, which greatly increased the Pacers' defensive pressure.

When Lance Stephenson chose to attack himself but failed, and when he counterattacked, Belineri made another breakthrough and landing, the score came to 90:84, and the Spurs were still 6 points behind.

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

Li Liang and McGee replaced Ludairi and Scola.

Bird doesn't want to use a small lineup. Firstly, this lineup is not very stable, and secondly, it is a waste for him to let Li Liang play the center, and he is still unhappy.

In the first attack after the timeout, Li Liang got stuck in the horn position and received the ball from behind, and then received a [Bill Walton's pass behind the head] to assist Stephenson, who cut the ball with an open cut. Stephenson easily took the ball and made a layup to score two points.

Popovich sat on the sidelines and couldn't help but shake his head.

Why does this Bruce Lee feel that he has to learn everything?

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

Popovich felt a little regretful again. He should increase his bargaining chips in summer and exchange Li Liang for it.

Afterwards, Leonard played Li Liang with the ball one-on-one, but his back jump shot did not hit the basket and hit the rebound without hitting it.

McGee got a backcourt rebound and the Pacers counterattacked.

Stephenson pushed the offensive speed up, CJ Myers had a good chance at the bottom corner, and the ball was passed, but unfortunately he didn't make the three-pointer.

Spurs defender Joseph made a simple pick-and-roll at the high position and made a jump shot from the middle distance of the arc and scored two points.

The Spurs' role players are indeed very brave to play. No matter what the unknown player sounds, they become daring to play and fight when they arrive at the Spurs. I have to say that Popovich is very good at training players.

On the Pacers, after Li Liang made a comeback, the team found the backbone of the offensive, stabilized the situation, and maintained the gap between 5 points.

With 5 minutes left before the end of the game, it makes people feel that the Spurs are about to be unable to withstand it.

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

If it was the NBA 10 years ago, the gap between 5 minutes and 5 points in the last 5 minutes is really difficult to catch up on the dialogue between strong defensive teams.

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

Popovich called a timeout, replaced Dior, and adopted a one-to-four-square-square-line with Duncan, Ginobili, Parker, and Greena Leonard.

After the first goal after the timeout, Ginobili made a three-pointer with the help of Duncan's cover from the outside!

Ginobili did not perform well in the whole game, but he was able to score goals at critical moments.

Immediately following Duncan, Leonard began to double-team Li Liang.

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

The Spurs got the backcourt rebound, and Parker found Leonard in the corner through the half.

Leonard used a fake shot to avoid JR-Smith's block, then adjusted his pace, posture, and the same bottom corner three-pointer... The ball entered!

Overtake it!

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

Just one minute passed, and the situation changed drastically.

Bird immediately called for a pause.

I didn't want to use a small lineup, but it seems that I can't do it if I don't have to.

Li Liang knew that Bird was going to let him play center again, so he made a suggestion and said: "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 been effective.

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

The Pacers originally lineup was to let Li Liang play center forward, Scola was the forward position, and Stephenson, JR Smith and Sloan in the backcourt.

But at this point, defense is a big problem, and the offensive end is not flexible enough.

Bird's idea was that David West would replace Scola's when he came back.

In fact, West's offensive method and offensive range is basically the same as Scola, but the offensive threat is greater, the body is stronger, and the defense is better.

Granger is different. He is completely a different player in style - of course, the premise is that his condition can be restored to at least 60% or 70%.

Bird doesn't think Granger can return to this state, otherwise he wouldn't have traded him last year.

But since Boss Li has spoken, of course he has to let Granger go up and give it a try, proving that Bird's vision is actually not wrong.

It’s not that I am cold and ruthless, but that this world is this Azi, who survives the fittest.

So Granger went on the stage without even appearing in front, and the Pacers formed a combination of Li Liang, Granger, Fenson, and Smith Gaslom.

The Spurs are one, one, four, and the Pacers are not as small as big, five (no) small lineup, also known as big, no small.

This is a big test for Pacers' defense.

Li Liang withstood the test.

After making his first goal after appearing, Li Liang chose to hold the ball at a high position and rushed towards Leonard face to face!

To be honest, it is difficult for Leonard to rush down one-on-one, including James and Durant, in the entire league.

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

momentum!

This psychological advantage is very important for a one-on-one high-level offensive and defensive duel.

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

Leonard spread his hands to the referee, and he didn't know why he had committed a foul.
To be continued...