Chapter 1095 Popovich: Be Gentle (4/5!)

Chapter 1095 Popovich: Be gentle (45!)

Time flies, and the playoffs are about to begin.

The Spurs arrived in New Orleans the day before the game and held a closed practice for a day and a half.

On April 15th, US time, as the first two teams to start this year's playoffs, the Pelicans and Spurs kicked off the 2017~2018 playoffs.

The New Orleans Arena was packed.

This game is broadcast live on TNT across the United States. Fans in New Orleans and surrounding areas who have not purchased tickets can also choose FOX Sports to watch.

Compared with TNT, FOX charges lower prices, which also allows them to have more users in New Orleans and surrounding areas.

However, no matter how cheap the price is, it is not as satisfying as buying a ticket to watch the game live.

Although it is the first round, there is a lot of overlap between the Pelicans and the Spurs, and there is a lot to watch.

During the warm-up before the game, there was a lot of communication between the players on both sides and between the players and the coaches.

Walker and Parker, Ginobili and Tang Tian, ​​Parker and Tang Tian, ​​Tang Tian and Popovich.

It's a pity that this is the home court of the Pelicans. If it were in San Antonio, Duncan would probably come to the arena to watch the game.

There was probably a lot to say between Davis and Duncan at that time.

"Tony and I both want to play for you. I will definitely go there if I don't retire next season."

Ginobili and Tang Tian were talking dirty words, and Tang Tian patted his head.

The two had a good relationship in private, and Tang Tian knew that this was Ginobili's last playoff appearance.

Just like when Duncan touched him before retiring, it might be the last time he touched him on the court.

Ginobili didn't resist, since he was basically gone anyway, so it didn't matter whether he was touched or not.

"Strike gently."

Popovich said seriously when communicating with Tang Tian.

The head coach knows the strength gap of the team best.

After the Leonard incident, Popovich owed Tang Tian a favor. It seemed that he was not fooling him, but was speaking his mind.

"I will."

Tang Tian smiled and nodded.

The scene soon entered the opening ceremony, and the starting lineups of the two teams were announced one after another.

The Pelicans' main players are all out, and they are still the starting combination of the four brothers plus Dedmon who have worked hard.

They are determined to win the championship, and as discussed by the outside world, they want to really take revenge on Xiao Hua and win the championship.

For the Spurs, neither Parker nor Ginobili started.

The outside combination of Patrick Mills and Danny Green, with Gay and Aldridge at the front, and Gasol at center.

"How many minutes do you think Spurs can hold out?"

In the commentary box, Barkley turned to Smith and O'Neal and asked.

"A quarter and a half."

Kenny Smith said seriously.

"Why a quarter and a half?"

Buckley asked curiously.

"I think the Spurs' starters can withstand more than half a quarter. When the substitutes are connected, Parker and Ginobili are here and can last more than half a quarter, so the total is one and a half quarters."

Kenny Smith is very careful in his analysis.

However, his analysis immediately amused O'Neal on the side.

"Five minutes, without Kawhi, they can't survive five minutes."

O'Neill said with a smile.

Buckley nodded and rarely spoke.

In fact, both people are right. The key lies in whether the Spurs can survive the first five minutes.

If you survive, there is a good chance that the stalemate will last until one and a half quarters.

Of course, it will be difficult to do more. The main force returns in the second quarter. Even if the Spurs are in good condition and their physical fitness has declined, they have no chance.

While the commentator was chatting away, the starting players from both sides finished their pre-game preparations and came on stage one after another.

Tang Tian was the last one to come on the stage, and he still threw some powder as usual.

The emotions of the fans at the scene also reached a peak at the beginning.

Davis moved the ball from Gasol's fingertips back into the Pelicans half, officially kicking off the playoffs.

The Pelicans came up to play a pick-and-roll with Woday, and Walker quickly broke through Aldridge for a layup.

The Spurs' player who has declined the most this season is veteran Gasol, who is very slow to make up defense on the defensive end.

"beep!"

At this moment, the whistle suddenly sounded from the sidelines.

Popovich, called a timeout!

This scene shocked everyone.

Popovich is performing the shark-cutting operation at the beginning!

Tang Tian was also surprised, but seeing that it was Popovich, nothing was surprising anymore.

After the timeout, the Spurs made a substitution. Popovich replaced Gasol with Dejounte Murray, creating a lineup with one large and four small.

This lineup is very strange. Judging from the configuration alone, it means giving up the rhythm of interior defense!

I don’t know what kind of medicine Popovich sells in his gourd.

The Spurs' position battle, the iconic hammer tactic, Gay broke through and passed the ball to Green in the bottom corner, and Green opened his hand for a three-pointer.

"Uh-huh!"

Green's first shot hit.

Popovich's timeout just now was not a loss.

In the Pelicans' offense, Walker directly handed the ball to Davis for a low single.

Although Gay has a strong body, he is a bit weak in guarding Davis.

Green on the weak side was assisting in defense, but Butler had already made an air cut. Davis passed the ball, and Butler caught the ball and flew for a layup and scored 2 more points.

As fans expected, a lineup like the Spurs faced the Pelicans. It was too much for one-on-one without assistance, and the assistance defense gave opportunities like just now.

In a nutshell, thousands of insiders stabbed him.

However, Popovich looked calm and rarely lost his temper because of the team's defense.

Looking back, the Spurs wanted to repeat their same tricks, but the Pelicans strengthened their defense, Green was followed, and Gay's breakthrough was blocked by Davis.

There was not much shot time left, and the ball was finally given to Aldridge.

Aldridge hit Dedmon with his back and did his signature turn and fade away.

Dedmon's defense was in place and he reached out to cover Aldridge's shooting angle.

"Uh-huh!"

But the basketball still hit the net.

The Spurs had a very good start.

5 to 4, after the first two rounds, the Spurs and Pelicans were evenly matched.

The Pelicans attacked the frontcourt, and Davis continued to back-up Gay. This time the Spurs did not help defend.

Davis' shot to the basket was fouled by Gay and he got two extra free throw opportunities.

After two solid free throws, the Pelicans led 6-5.

Looking back, Aldridge continued to play from behind and missed the jump shot, but Murray struggled to grab the offensive rebound and caused a defensive foul on Dedmon.

Also made two free throws.

7 to 6, the Spurs exceeded the score!

The Spurs played very hard after the start and were in a stalemate with the Pelicans!

Tang Tian looked at Popovich again and couldn't help but shake his head.

I thought Popovich owed him a favor and changed his gender, but it turned out that he was overthinking it.

Regarding the Spurs' performance on the field, Popovich may have been cruel before the game, asking the Spurs players to work hard in the opening game.

The Pelicans attacked the frontcourt again, and this time Tang Tian took the initiative to reach out to pass the ball.

Since Popovich can't believe even a single punctuation mark in his words, he has to show off his cards.