The strongest champion puzzle

Chapter 415 Critical Moments
The Rockets took the lead into the fourth quarter, which also made them breathe a sigh of relief.

During the rotation period, they let Gordon, the sixth man, bring two starters and let Harden rest for a while.

Since Brewer couldn't restrain Zhang Xiaotian, after Ariza went down this time, it was the second-year student Sam Decker who came to match up.

Although Sam Decker is a white forward, he is serious about defense and will not make mistakes easily.

But for Zhang Xiaotian, whoever comes is the same. The Rockets' defensive strikers must be paired with inside defense players to limit him.

The Rockets' inside defense can only be said to be so-so.

They also have countermeasures, which is to resolutely carry out flanking attacks.

After all, the Spurs rotate ten people, and Zhang Xiaotian is surrounded by substitute players at this time.

It's just that they didn't figure it out, Zhang Xiaotian played with substitute players not only because of his offensive power, but because the substitute players were more suitable for him.

Mills, Danny Green and Ginobili are ambushing outside the three-point line. Zhang Xiaotian just needs to kill inside at this time.

The Rockets were very impressed with Zhang Xiaotian, and the attack was relatively timely.

Then Ginobili hit a three-pointer, Mills hit a three-pointer, and the Rockets, relying on Harden's hard-working free throws, were thrown back with three three-pointers.

However, the Rockets were not in a hurry in this situation. Gordon first caused Green's foul, and then made a strong shot.

Compared with Anderson at 8000 million, Gordon at 5300 million is obviously the rocket's master.

However, Zhang Xiaotian did not give the Rockets a chance to regain control of the situation. He not only broke through, but also passed the ball. When the opponent's defensive player hesitated a little, Zhang Xiaotian also scored a three-pointer.

As long as the three are separated, the Rockets can't restrain him at all.

But I don't know what the Rockets coach is based on. He stood very calmly on the sidelines and had no plans to adjust.

The Rockets did not adjust, but the Spurs took the initiative to make changes.

With Leonard and Aldridge on the court, the Spurs immediately became more flexible on both offense and defense.

After Leonard came up, he rushed into the Rockets inside and caused a foul and made two free throws, which helped Zhang Xiaotian disperse a lot of defensive pressure.

Zhang Xiaotian took the opportunity to make a mid-range shot and an assist to help the team take the lead.

At this time, the Rockets just woke up like a dream, and quickly asked for a timeout, and replaced Harden.

Harden scored two points on the field, but the defense of the Rockets' strongest lineup was not so strong. Danny Green and Ginobili hit three-pointers again, and the score suddenly tended to widen.

Only then did the Rockets know that they were in trouble, but they really couldn't prevent it, they just hoped that the offensive end could flourish.

The Spurs' defense at this time has been improved to the extreme. Harden is handed over to Danny Green, Zhang Xiaotian is here to restrict Gordon, and Leonard is ready to help defend at any time.

Harden hit the iron for the second time after playing, so he also played a breakthrough.

It's just that the other Rockets players didn't work so well under the Spurs' defense.

First Ariza missed a three-pointer, then Gordon forced a shot and was blocked by Zhang Xiaotian, Harden had to do it himself.

After hitting the iron again, Harden finally made a step back, but the next attack was forced into a mistake by the Spurs' well-placed pincer attack.

Zhang Xiaotian counterattacked directly with the ball, stopped at the three-point line, and the score gap between the two sides suddenly approached double digits infinitely.

The terrible thing is that there are only the last 2 minutes left in the time.

At the critical moment, Zhang Xiaotian and Leonard made singles hits, but Harden's two three-pointers missed by a little bit.

Although Ariza hit a two-pointer, it has no effect.

As Gordon also hit the iron with a three-pointer, the Rockets completely lost their fighting spirit, and the Spurs won the game without any risk.

After the game, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich accepted an interview. He used two words to summarize the team's final performance at the last moment, tenacity and courage.

"That was the best part of the whole game," Popovich said. "They showed toughness physically and mentally. We fell behind at one point. We could have lost the game, but they kept going. Trying to chase points. The defense is better, the physicality is stronger, we hit a few goals, relieved. But they never complacent, they have been trying to get points, because the game is 48 minutes, in the In an NBA game, anything can happen."

"If your guys never stop running, you're always getting shots. I'm really, really proud of them."

"They did a pretty good job against a team that was very, very difficult to defend. They and the Warriors were probably two of the toughest teams in the league for obvious reasons, their players and their system. I'm really happy with our tenacity, we won the game, it doesn't mean we're going to play better than them, we just hit those shots in the clutch, but it was a really good game on both ends. very intense."

Popovich is actually not very satisfied with the team's previous performance, but after winning the game, he always doesn't mind praising the opponent, because the winning side is stronger, right?

In fact, the Spurs are ushering in a very wonderful start, and their current combat effectiveness is also phenomenal.

Next, they will play back-to-back away games. The game will not be so easy, but the team has already arranged everything. What Zhang Xiaotian and other players have to do is to try their best to win the game.

Every time there must be a back-to-back rotation, this time three people are arranged, and Parker, Ginobili and Gasol will take a rest in one of them respectively.

This time their first opponent is a little troublesome, so let the Spurs eat the Clippers, the only defeat.

But Griffin missed the game due to injury, and the Spurs are still stronger on paper.

The Clippers are fourth in the West, but they are definitely not easy to deal with, even without Griffin.

Of course, compared to the Spurs who took the initiative to rest the team, their grade is still a little lower.

Veteran Pierce started on top of the other side. In fact, the Clippers' lineup has become one big and four small.

The Spurs did not use one big and four small to match, but chose to start with two insiders.

The Clippers always bully people inside when they have a neat lineup, and Popovich obviously wants to get revenge.

But after the game started, Aldridge's offensive efficiency was not high.

This season can only be the third point, and Aldridge is becoming less and less domineering.

Fortunately, the Spurs turned to the outside line. It is too difficult for JJ Redick and Pierce to deal with Zhang Xiaotian and Leonard.

After only half a quarter, the Clippers had to make a quick substitution.

JJ Redick can still contain the outside line, but Uncle Pi has completely lost his effect.

(End of this chapter)