The strongest champion puzzle

Chapter 436

When Zhang Xiaotian was away, the Spurs also easily dealt with the fishy Lakers.

The team was in Los Angeles for a few days, and Popovich joked about it.

"We've been here for four or five days, and I've been enjoying the food and the wine every day, and I can't wait to get out of here," Popovich said. Come on. I just hope half the team is still asking 'Are we training tomorrow?' I'm like 'Don't talk about training, let's go get something to eat', it's so attractive here."

Of course, Zhang Xiaotian, who did not enjoy the decadent life in Los Angeles, also received congratulations from the old man.

Zhang Xiaotian only has a child now, which is very late for the rest of the team. Leonard rarely joked, "This guy has finally joined our ranks."

In March, Zhang Xiaotian returned to the team.

The Spurs' first game in March was at home, and it was the Pacers who came in and were working hard to adjust for the record.

Thaddeus Young, who was absent from the game last time, returned, CJ Myers was promoted to the starting lineup, and the Pacers came aggressively.

The Spurs still put Gasol on the bench. To a certain extent, his role overlaps with Aldridge's, and the team is also making different attempts.

After the All-Stars, they have to prepare for the playoffs.

The playoffs are a whole different world than the regular season, and they need more cards.

Paul George played very resolutely at the beginning of today. Leonard was a little underprepared and lost two fouls in the first quarter.

In the contest of the main lineup, the Spurs rarely suffered losses.

However, during the rotation period, Gasol performed well and helped the team get the score back.

The Pacers' decision to switch the main force is also a double-edged sword. The main lineup has been strengthened and the attacking substitute lineup has been affected. They probably have no choice.

If the team's performance is too poor, it will be difficult to renew Paul George.

In the second quarter, both sides increased their defensive strength almost at the same time.

The Spurs have a bit of a problem with the feel of this game, and the defense is tight and the iron sounds are constant.

The main reason is that both sides did not fight back, and almost all of them fought hand-to-hand after falling to the ground.

At the end of the first half, except for Zhang Xiaotian, the Spurs' main players lost all four points. The team also fell behind, but only by 2 points.

The Pacers are still an old problem, and they can't score well. As long as the Spurs adjust their status, they will definitely have more opportunities.

In the third quarter, the Pacers came up with two three-pointers, showing a strong desire to win.

Popovich felt a little chill in the back of his head, and he quickly replaced Gasol.

But playing with the main lineup, Gasol doesn't have that advantage.

The team fell into a difficult situation, and Zhang Xiaotian and Leonard added singles again.

The reason why the league's stars are valuable is that in many cases their singles are more stable than subtle tactics, and Popovich now recognizes it.

The Pacers didn't say how well they played as a team, but when Paul George was strictly defended by the Spurs, everyone else did stand up and score.

Paul George doesn't have much organizational skills, but attracting defenses can help his teammates.

After Zhang Xiaotian and Leonard showed their strength, the Spurs quickly recovered the score, and the two sides fell into a stalemate again.

In the last quarter, Paul George didn't play head-on on the court. He was peaceful in the first half, but under the siege of Zhang Xiaotian and Leonard in turn, his physical strength was not so strong in the second half.

Paul George, a star who is not that strong with the ball, is really tired from playing against two good defensive strikers, so even if he knows that Zhang Xiaotian will show his power, the Pacers can only let him take time to rest.

Zhang Xiaotian hit a three-pointer as soon as he came on the court, and then hit 2+1. The Spurs quickly gained the lead in the score.

What does it mean to be an all-star beyond the ordinary, that is, everyone knows that Zhang Xiaotian will grab points and still can't stop him.

Not to mention that his current physical fitness is also among the top ranks, he is the type of Curry who looks weak, and how many players can only sigh in awe.

Zhang Xiaotian has figured it out now, even if his basketball stats rise to 100 points, he might not be the strongest in a certain aspect, he can only be said to be the pinnacle of the general All-Stars.

There are certain players in the league that surpass the average All-Stars. Whether they are called superstars or anything, their strength in some aspects is definitely over 100, so it is difficult to limit.

With the improvement of strength, Zhang Xiaotian in the final quarter has that level of strength. If it comes to overtime, Zhang Xiaotian will be the strongest in the league.

So when CJ-Myers played well, Paul George returned to the court early.

Because he didn't come back, Zhang Xiaotian couldn't solve this problem at all.

Popovich is a thief, Paul George played and Leonard also played, two top strikers, the Spurs' offensive and defensive ends rely on numbers to suppress each other.

Paul George is very good, but with the means of Zhang Xiaotian and Leonard, it is no problem to restrict him.

Pacers head coach Nate McMillan is still in a hurry. Paul George is already very difficult to fight against Zhang Xiaotian and Leonard alone.

What to do, hit the inside and shoot three-pointers from the outside, the Pacers tried their best.

On the Spurs side, Zhang Xiaotian and Leonard pick and roll, a simple and crude but effective tactic.

At the beginning, Parker and Duncan were desperate to transfer many teams. Now Zhang Xiaotian and Leonard's two-person attack is almost unsolvable.

Others on the field were responsible for doing rough work and shouting 666, and the Spurs stabilized the score advantage so strongly.

In fact, the gap is not very big, but the Pacers just can't get over this hurdle, and the gap of about 5 points is also desperate, especially when time is running out.

Paul George is also there, but he also started various singles.

But the effect is not very good, except for one free throw, the other balls are iron.

108:99, the Spurs defeated the Pacers again.

Zhang Xiaotian and Leonard scored 60 points together, making the Pacers' defense helpless.

In the current regular season MVP list, both of them are on the top, which is also the recognition of them by the outside world.

After the game, Gasol talked about his three-pointer, "It feels great. Zhang's pass is very good. Doesn't it look great?"

At this time, it is impossible for the Warriors to break the winning record of last season, and it is unlikely to compete with the Spurs for the first place in the Western Conference. Therefore, the topic of whether the Spurs can replace the Warriors to set another record has become hot again.

Regarding this point, Popovich gave a special lecture during the team training.

"Don't even think about it. The playoffs are the key. I need you to stay healthy, stay in shape, and have enough energy. If you don't know how to maintain it, I will make a plan."

(End of this chapter)