From South China Tiger to NBA King

After the timeout, there were some adjustments to the lineups on both sides.

The Spurs replaced three of their starting lineup, Irving, Aldridge, and Derrick White, plus substitute Bertans, and Pau Gasol.

The Celtics also took this opportunity to switch back to the starting lineup, Jiang Hu, Leonard, Danny Green, Horford, and Gasol.

After the first goal after the timeout, the Spurs continued to attack.

They played a tactic of internal and external cooperation. Gasol held the ball at a 45-degree angle on the right side, then passed it to Irving hand-to-hand, and broke through from the right side.

This is a tactic often used by the Spurs in the GDP era. In the past, Duncan usually cooperated with Ginobili or Parker. Although Gasol is old now, he is still very smart in this tactic. He not only gave the ball to Irving , and also used his body to help Irving block Danny Green who was chasing him.

Irving seized the opportunity, stepped up his breakthrough to the basket, and made a quick layup with his right hand. The first time he made the layup was to look for the board, thinking that as long as he hit the backboard and someone blocked the shot, it would be an interference ball.

It's a pity that the Celtics are not vegetarians. Jianghu has been paying attention to Irving. Watching him pass through the basket hand-in-hand, he concluded that he definitely didn't know how to pass the ball. He rushed over and used the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms to hit the ball with great force. The ball fan flew out.

"Clap~"

With a loud noise, the basketball was directly blown out of the baseline!
If Jianghu blocks someone else, he will definitely celebrate arrogantly, so that the blocked person will be half-dead, or at best lose his mind.

But now it was Irving who was being slapped away by the ball. As a comrade who had fought side by side, Jiang Hu still wanted to save some face for Irving.

When the Spurs played the ball in the frontcourt, Irving went to receive the ball. He was also very calm and was not affected by the previous round. He took two steps with the ball and hoisted the ball to the inside.

Inside, Aldridge caught the ball and rose up, stood on tiptoes and put the basket in.

Aldridge has always been a representative of the technical insiders. He is good at shooting and singles. Most of these insiders have one characteristic, that is, they rarely dunk.

Compared with dunking, they believe that throwing or laying the basket is easier to give people a softer feel.

Celtics 96-97 Spurs.

With 4 minutes and 8 seconds left in the 30th quarter, the Celtics continued to attack. Jianghu took the ball to the left side of the three-point line at 45 degrees in the front court.

As soon as Jiang Hu arrived at the frontcourt, he discovered that Leonard was actively reaching out for the ball. Jiang Hu had not seen this scene often, so he gave the ball to Leonard without hesitation.

Leonard held the ball to the right, and then made a three-threat move. The person guarding him was Bertans, who performed very well in the second half.

Leonard and Bertans are also old acquaintances. It was Leonard's last full season with the Spurs. Bertans was his little brother. When training with the Spurs, he often served as a sparring partner for him and was beaten by him more than once. Exploded.

Leonard held the ball and threatened to lower his waist. Bertans put his open palm on Leonard's face. Leonard faked a shot. Bertans immediately pulled his hand back to prevent being fouled.

But his action gave Leonard a chance. He immediately dribbled back and shot a three-pointer with confidence!
Raising your hand is a hit! Show no mercy!
Celtics 99-97 Spurs.

Irving dribbled the ball into the frontcourt and passed it to Pau Gasol. This time the two came to the left side far away from Jianghu and played the same hand-to-hand pass.

Because Jianghu here has to watch Bertans, who has a hot hand, it is beyond his reach.

After Irving broke through, he relied on Gasol for a layup and caused a foul.

Irving stepped to the free throw line and made two free throws.

Celtics 99-99 Spurs.

When returning to defense, Owen spread his hands towards Jiang Hu, as if he was asking Jiang Hu:
"I stay away from you, what can you do to me? Come and block me again if you have the guts!!"

Jiang Hu smiled, ignored him, and continued to advance with the ball.

Leonard, who had just scored a goal, felt just right at this time and asked Jianghu for the ball again.

Jianghu passed the ball to Leonard, who immediately broke through from the left and made a hook shot near the basket, but unfortunately he missed.

Gasol got the defensive rebound, immediately hit the ball, and counterattacked to Irving. Irving took three steps and two steps, and came to the basket for an elegant layup.

It failed to hit, but Aldridge grabbed an offensive rebound. Leonard cut the ball and was called for a foul by the referee.

Aldridge stepped to the free throw line and made two free throws again.

Celtics 99-101 Spurs.

Jianghu controlled the ball on the left side of the court and passed it to Danny Green in the bottom corner.

Danny Green was criticized by Stevens during the break, saying that he was not decisive enough, hesitant and lost his shooting instinct.

So for this ball, he received a three-pointer from the bottom corner, held the ball, pulled it up and shot!

It's a pity that you will definitely score if you take a decisive shot. In this quarter, Green's touch was almost only as good as the first quarter, and the rest of the game was very bad.

Gasol and Gasol were locked fiercely under the basket. They were evenly matched, and no one had an absolute advantage.

Jianghu took advantage of the two people's inseparable situation and rushed over, turned the tide, grabbed the offensive rebound, and immediately tipped in the ball. He also caused Aldridge's foul and hit 2+1.

Celtics 102-101 Spurs.

Irving pushed the ball into the frontcourt and accelerated in from the left! It was given to Gasol in the inside.

Gasol was stuck very tightly by Gasol and it was difficult to lift the ball, so he had to give the ball to Aldridge.

Aldridge leaned on Horford's defense and relaxed! Used a small hook.

Missed! But the referee's whistle blew and Gordon was called for a foul.

With 6 minutes and 55 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Aldridge went to the free throw line again!
First penalty!Missed!
Second free throw! Hit.

Celtics 102-102 Spurs.

Jianghu dribbled forward and gave the ball to Leonard! Leonard dribbled the ball from the left and hit Bertans' foot. It was illegal to kick the ball.

Jianghu received the serve, bypassed the screen, faced the defense, and took a mid-range shot.

His touch today was average and he didn't hit the ball.

Aldridge got the defensive rebound, pushed forward himself, and came to the left side to hit Jianghu with his back.

After two hits, I found that I couldn't take advantage, so Irving was given to the top of the arc.

Irving broke through two steps without taking a shot, and then passed Gasol to Hart. Gasol passed the ground and passed to Aldridge in the low post on the left.

Facing Horford's defense, he came up with a coquettish step-back jump shot!
Hit! The knife falls from the hand!
Celtics 102-104 Spurs.

Jianghu controlled the ball on the left side for half the game, and added Gasol's pick-and-roll at the top of the arc. After the pick-and-roll, Gasol defended Jianghu, and Aldridge defended Gasol. Gasol moved inside, and Jianghu immediately passed the ball. Gasol raised his hips and twisted his waist, went straight to the low post, turned over and hooked, and hit the ball easily.

Celtics 104-104 Spurs.

The arrival of Gasol not only enriches the Celtics' defensive and offensive levels, but also brings more means to solve problems.

Before he came, the Celtics ranked 21st in the league in low-post scoring. The main reason was that Horford's offensive methods were basically face-to-face, and Baynes did not get many opportunities.

However, this number will definitely increase in the future, because Gasol still has gas in the tank. It is undoubtedly a waste to only let him defend and pass the ball. He must also be often allowed to play on the offensive end.

Irving dribbled the ball forward, stabilized himself a little, and then chased and shot from mid-range. It was obvious that he was a little excited and wanted to prove himself.

This is an offensive method that both Irving and Westbrook like very much. The difference is that Irving is more accurate than Westbrook.

But unfortunately, the shot missed this time and Jianghu got a defensive rebound!

It was given to Leonard, who pushed directly into the frontcourt from the right side. When he came to the frontcourt, he changed direction and ejected directly to start. After the confrontation, he rode on horseback and shot an arrow.

Not only was Irving excited about this game, but Leonard was also in a bad mood. However, sometimes emotions do not bring about good performance, but instead drag down one's own competitive level.

The ball was directly blocked by White who was returning to defense. The ball fell into Jiang Hu's hands. Jiang Hu didn't hold it firmly and the ball went out of bounds!
There are 5 minutes and 25 seconds left in the fourth quarter!
Irving dribbled the ball forward and passed the ball to Bertans who came out from the right side. Bertans had no chance to make a shot, and then passed it to Aldridge in the low post.

Aldridge half-turned around for a layup, but the referee called a walking violation!
Jianghu advanced and passed the ball to Leonard again.

He broke through from the left and knocked Irving away.

"Beep beep beep~"

The referee's whistle sounded and Leonard was called for an offensive foul.

Leonard's face showed a rare impatience, and he spread his hands to complain to the referee.

It seems that he does regard this game as very important, which is why he frequently shows negative emotions.

Jianghu still doesn't want to lose this game. He doesn't want to see Leonard in a negative state, which is quite detrimental to the team's long-term plan.

Irving slowly dribbled the ball forward, faced Danny Green, made continuous fake moves, and suddenly collected the ball for a three-pointer!
A three-point cloud-piercing arrow, thousands of troops and horses come to meet you!
Celtics 104-107 Spurs.

The Celtics continued to attack.

Jiang Hu holds the ball at a 45-degree angle on the left side and throws it to Leonard at the top of the arc. Bertans's uphill grab was fouled!
As a shooting expert who shot 40% in a season and averaged 2 three-pointers per game, Bertans still holds a minimum salary contract because his defense is so poor that he can be described as garbage.

However, Bertans' defense was pretty good today, at least in terms of motivation, no one can say anything.

With 4 minutes and 33 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Celtics had the ball in front.

Jianghu received the serve, bypassed Horford's screen, and stopped the ball on the left side for Leonard. Leonard broke through and picked the basket, hitting the board! He didn't touch the basket, and there was an offensive violation in 24 seconds...

Spurs ball!
Irving advanced and singled out Green.

Continuous feints broke through from the right side and reached Aldridge in the low post. He leaned on the defender and relaxed his arms, making a small hook!
He was blocked by Jianghu who was returning to defense. He grabbed the offensive rebound and started again, but he was still interfered with! !
Green got the ball, galloped forward, launched a counterattack, and then passed it to Horford on the left. Horford passed the ball hand to hand to Jianghu.

Jiang Hu mismatched Irving and used a signature drastic change of direction, which was very coquettish! !
Fishing for the moon from the sea! An underhand layup and a strong score resulted in Irving's foul.

Another 2+1, Celtics 107 to Spurs 107.

The Spurs immediately requested a timeout with 3 minutes and 37 seconds left in the fourth quarter!
The timeout ends and the teams return to the field.

Irving held the ball at a 45-degree angle on the right side, broke into the paint, pushed away the defense, and made a fadeaway jumper!
miss!
Aldridge grabbed an offensive rebound, and then passed it to Bertans on the outside, and made a 23-foot three-pointer from the right side of the basket!
Not even!
By this time, the shooting percentages of both sides were declining due to tight defense and fierce confrontation.

Horford got a defensive rebound and the Celtics called a timeout! !

During the timeout, Stevens once again emphasized the protection of rebounds and the defense of Bertans, and he was determined not to give him the opportunity to take open shots.

Being called upon by the coach of the championship team to strengthen his defense, it may be difficult for Bertans to score again tonight, of course, even if there is a magic ball.

At the end of the timeout, the Spurs made a substitution. Since Irving was leading the offense during this period, Derrick White was replaced and replaced by Gay.

The Spurs came up with a four-major lineup of Gasol, Aldridge, Gay, and Bertans, with Irving as the core. This lineup lacks neither height nor space.

The Celtics continued to attack, dribbling forward and passing to Horford in the corner. Horford passed back to Gasol. Gasol twisted his waist and sent out a silky-smooth throw. Hit the board!
Celtics 109-107 Spurs.

Irving dribbled the ball forward, passed it to Aldridge at the top of the key, hit Horford with a back-up shot, then turned around and charged in!
There was a sudden licking of baskets in the paint area!
Missed! But Gasol grabbed the offensive rebound, got up again, and caused a foul on Marc Gasol!
With 2 minutes and 41 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Pau Gasol went to the free throw line. Everyone thought it must be two free throws, because Gasol is an insider with a career free throw percentage of over 70%. It has always been known for its soft touch.

But basketball games are sometimes very dramatic.

Gasol went to the free throw line and missed the first free throw!
The second penalty was still missed!
“oh no!!”

The audience let out sighs of disappointment.

But there's nothing we can do about it. It's so common in the NBA for heroes to fade away.

Jianghu got the defensive rebound and gave it to Leonard, who began to control time at the top of the key.

Then to Jiang Hu, Gasol came over to make a screen. Jiang Hu bypassed the screen and passed to Gasol. Gasol passed the ball back to Jiang Hu again.

Jianghu moved sideways to the right, suddenly braked, and stopped for a jump shot.

Still misses.

Jiang Hu looked at his hand and felt that his hand felt really average today.

Aldridge got the defensive rebound, and Gasol saw that Gasol was not in good condition, so he fouled Gasol and sent him to the free throw line!
There are 2 minutes and 14 seconds left in the fourth quarter!
The Celtics players were a little confused, but Gasol patted his chest and said confidently: "Believe me, I know him, he will definitely not make the free throw."

Seeing Gasol's enigmatic appearance, everyone felt that he seemed to have something and could attack people's hearts.

The referees gather together to communicate!
Finally, I thought that Pau Gasol's ball had been passed out, and gave Gasol a no-ball foul! !

Gasol's top attack tactics actually gave the Spurs a free throw!
It is indeed a timely help.

Everyone once again turned their attention to Gasol. Gasol's face was red, but he still looked firm and calm, looking like a master.

Jiang Hu shook his head and smiled helplessly. He could only say... something, but not much.

(End of this chapter)