The invincible kryptonite of basketball

But in the third quarter that determined the outcome of the game, the Pelicans relied on excellent tactical execution and collective runaway to open the score.

Such a performance deserves the word pride.

Of course, winning Game [-] was just a relief for the Pelicans.

Because the big score is 1 to 2 behind, the next home game is still not to be lost for the Pelicans.

If the series with the Spurs falls into a 1-3 situation, it will be disastrous for the Pelicans.

Winning the next game in one go, and then fighting Tianwangshan, is the key for them to turn defeat into victory.

Before the fourth game, fans once again collectively voiced their voices for the Pelicans on social media.

Tang Tian also communicated with Stevens, hoping that the latter would vaccinate the team in advance.

The big victory in the third game is certainly gratifying, but facing the Spurs cannot be taken lightly.

And he and Stevens also had tactical exchanges.

Popovich is likely to widen the space in this game, and then give Leonard enough space for singles.

Double-teaming is relative. If it comes late, Leonard is enough to complete the offense. If it comes early, Leonard can pass the ball even if he is average.

In other words, Popovich is likely to use Tang Tian's early play style during the Pelicans period to shoot all stars.

The Pelicans will have a harder time coping.

If that happens, we can only look at the person defending Leonard alone and Leonard's own state.

On May 5, US time, the fourth game of the Western Conference Finals continued at the New Orleans Arena.

The arena was packed, and the enthusiasm of the fans was even stronger than the previous game.

After the Pelicans won the third game strongly, they naturally expect the team to continue that state and tie the big score.

After the appearance ceremony, the starters of the two teams were released one after another.

The visiting team played first, but Tang Tian predicted it was successful. Popovich removed White and replaced him with Belinelli, using a four-star lineup.

It was not in vain that Tang Tian spent two years with the Spurs. He knew Popovich well enough.

The Pelicans also changed their lineup. Gasol returned to the starting lineup, Durant played at the second position, and Davis went to guard Leonard.

This early response has achieved full marks.

But not long after the game started, the Pelicans fell into a passive position.

After the space was opened, Davis still struggled to defend Leonard.

Leonard's ball-handling offense has improved a lot this season, and Davis suffers from footwork and movement speed, and has been hit several times in a row.

But looking back, Leonard's going forward and stealing made Davis unable to play as he wanted in the previous game.

最终，凭借着伦纳德30分11板6助攻3抢断2盖帽的神勇发挥，马刺队在客场以106比96力克鹈鹕拿下比赛。

1 to 3, although I didn't want to, and I made enough preparations before the game, but the Pelicans still fell into a passive situation.

Without Tang Tian, ​​the Spurs are even stronger. It is really difficult for the Pelicans to win the series.

After the fourth game, the locker room after the game was quiet, and the training the next day was also very dull.

The victory in the third game once gave them hope, but the reality of the fourth game ruthlessly broke their hope.

Stevens also knew that it would be difficult for the Pelicans to go on. He took the initiative to find Tang Tian this time, hoping that he could give the players chicken soup.

Tang Tian agreed.

Before the team went to San Antonio, Tang Tian gave a speech in the locker room.

However, unlike all the speeches he gave before, what he said this time was not passionate at all, and might even be a bit salty.

"I still remember when you won the third game three days ago, I said in front of the reporters that I was proud of you, and now I still say that, I am still the same, I am still proud of you.

You have performed well enough, no one can ask you to do anything more, comeback wins, and I will not do that. "

Stevens thought he heard it wrong, and he and the others looked at Tang Tian in surprise.

"I just want to say that the next game may be your last game of the season, no matter how the game wins or loses, don't let yourself have any regrets.

I won the World Cup in the summer, so I was in a good mood all summer, Kevin lost, he recovered now, but I bet he didn't have a good summer.

Including AD, he was not able to go to the World Cup, and he must be very concerned.

But what happened cannot be changed. Maybe one day in the future, when you look back on this journey, you will be happy, upset, and full of emotions.

Like I said, whatever that is, right now you haven't let that be the past.

Like I said, don't give yourself any regrets, no matter if you win or lose the game. "

ps: I started writing the outline of the new book, the updates will be less, 2 updates a day, the new book is still basketball, the time point will probably be selected at the beginning of the century, the four major shooting guards, the peak era of Yao Shafo driver, this time I will be fully prepared, the preparation time It's going to be a little longer, but it's guaranteed to be better than this one.

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Calm, Tang Tian was very calm when he said this, and the team members also felt calm after listening to it.

But calm is not indifference.

On the contrary, what they said at this moment strongly resonated with what Tang Tian said.

This is actually a very philosophical statement.

There is no chance to start over in life, even if it is just a small thing, a choice, or even a decision.

As Tang Tian said, looking back on this incident in the future, they will have different emotions, and this mood is their own determination.

Or mentally admit defeat in advance, go through the motions, and be annoyed in the future, after all, this is a chance for five consecutive championships.

Or give it a go, fight hard, even if you fail, at least know that you have given everything you have for the five consecutive championships.

No one chanted slogans, but from the eyes of the players, it could be felt that their hearts were extremely firm at the moment.

At this moment, Stevens turned his head and gave Tang Tian a very appreciative look.

He now feels that Tang Tian's chicken soup level has entered a realm that others cannot match.

It's not decibels, it's not emotions, it's just resonating with you and making you believe it's the truth.

That afternoon, the Pelicans set off for San Antonio.

1 to 3 behind, playing away, for them, all the external conditions are the most unfavorable.

In the handicap given by the spinach website before the game, they also allowed a full 10+ points.

No one thought they could win Game [-] again.

except themselves.

The next night, the game between the Pelicans and the Spurs started at the ATT Arena.

The attendance rate was full, and the faces of the fans were full of excitement.

Their thinking is the same as the outside world feels, preparing for the glorious moment when the team enters the finals.

The rise of Leonard and the successive additions of Aldridge and George have made the Spurs still a championship-level team after the GDP era.

But in the past few years, the West has been dancing with demons every year, and the heroes are fighting for hegemony. The last time they reached the finals dates back to 2014.

That was the first season after Tang Tian left. They had just finished their dynasty and lost to the Heat team led by James in the finals.

They never went in after that.

They can reproduce that glory tonight.

After the opening ceremony, the starting lineups of the two teams were released.

The Spurs still had a one-star lineup in the previous game, with Forbes and Belinelli on the outside, George and Leonard on the striker, and Aldridge at the center.

Stevens has changed again this time, with Brogdon and Holiday on the outside, Durant and Ariza on the striker, and Davis at the center.

From Stevens' frequent changes, it can also be seen that the Pelicans are at a disadvantage, and the constant change is to find opportunities.

"Shaq, what do you think the Pelicans' chances are to win tonight?"

Before the game started, Barkley started to heat up.

"30%, less than 30%."

O'Neal is really realistic. Without Tang Tian, ​​​​his view of the Pelicans has completely changed.

Barkley couldn't help laughing, then turned to look at Smith.

"40%, the Pelicans, they won Game [-], they deserve that percentage."

Kenny Smith is relatively objective.

However, judging from the attitudes of the two, including Barkley's reaction, their Big Three, like the outside world, are optimistic about the Spurs entering the finals tonight.

As I said before, no one is optimistic about them except the Pelicans themselves.

The game started quickly, and Davis jumped to the first attack opportunity for the Pelicans.

However, Durant's attack was missed by Leonard's interference.

Stevens changed this lineup to increase the offensive flexibility on both ends of the offense and defense, but it turns out that playing the Spurs, Durant is not efficient at the third position.

But for a while at the basket, Davis was in a bad position and couldn't catch the rebound, so he shot the ball directly.

The angle of the ball was not very good. Holiday missed the ball and saw that the ball was about to go out of bounds and flew to save it.

He rushed into the Spurs' bench, but unfortunately he didn't save the ball.

The Pelicans' first offense went nowhere.

Looking back at the Spurs' frontcourt position, Leonard singles Ariza, and Durant has a help defense.

Leonard passed the ball ahead of time, and George was ready to shoot a three-pointer from the outside.

Holiday on the weak side flew to help defend.

George shook Holiday a bit, and then shot again.

But at the moment of his shot, a hand interfered again.

It's Holiday!

He didn't give up after being swayed away, but rushed over again.

The ball was missed, but George's shot was affected and he hit a three-pointer.

"The Pelicans were positive tonight."

Kenny Smith commented.

"Yes, but that's not enough for them to win."

O'Neill smiled and shook his head.

Before he finished speaking, Durant played a pick-and-roll with Davis in the frontcourt. Durant was double-teamed out of the ball and was directly intercepted by Leonard.

The Spurs are also very excited tonight. They haven't made it to the finals for many years, and each of them has eagerness written on their faces.

However, Leonard missed the ball and was cut back by Davis from behind!

The enthusiasm of the Pelicans tonight is not very good, it is very high!

Davis turned around and dunked directly after the steal.

In and out, Davis came out on top for the Pelicans.

But Leonard immediately slapped Ariza's back and turned back to pay back.

If you hit me, I will pay you back immediately. Tonight, the two teams are like beasts in a cage, baring their fangs and fighting.

In the frontcourt position of the Pelicans, Durant singled George with the ball, and George quickly shot the ball out.

However, George did not control the ball. After the ball left, it was caught by Leonard's big hand, but Ariza quickly caught the ball.

The two fell to the ground during the scramble, and Holiday also rushed forward at this time, followed by Brogdon and Forbes.

The court was covered with big men for a while.

The referee blows his whistle and calls for a scrimmage.