Chapter 1098 The Demon Sword Comes to an End

This change of formation came very suddenly, and there was no news before the game.

However, this change is also reasonable.

In the previous three games, Popovich's starting lineup never lasted more than five minutes.

Although this is related to the strength gap between the two sides, if the lineup continues like that, the result will not be much different.

Especially in the last game, so many off-field factors were mixed together, but they failed to change the result.

So change is a completely normal decision.

Of course, besides this reason, there is another one.

Ginobili's playing time has decreased a lot this season, and he has thought about quitting in front of the media more than once.

Even friends like Tang Tian and Duncan know that this is likely to be Ginobili's last playoff game.

Popovich naturally knows it too.

Although Parker's situation is different, he is in a sluggish state and his contract has expired. No one knows what his future will be like.

Therefore, Popovich's formation is not only strategic but also emotional.

This is likely to be the final game of Parker and Ginobili's Spurs careers.

However, this kind of formation is very useful from the atmosphere of the scene.

After Duncan retired, Parker and Ginobili rarely started together, and both started very rarely this season.

Such a starting lineup is a great encouragement to them psychologically, and it even shakes their souls a little because of their past glory.

In fact, not only the fans, but also the Spurs players looked different from the past three games.

To them, the Spurs' culture is ingrained, and the people who created that culture are Popovich and GDP.

As a former Spurs player, Tang Tian also felt it.

He had a hunch that tonight's game would be different from the past three games.

Amid the cheers of the fans, Gasol moved the ball back to the Spurs half, officially kicking off Game 4 of the series.

Parker dribbled to the frontcourt and stretched out his hand to indicate the hammer tactic.

But this is a new hammer tactic, different from the 1/2/3 tactics Tang Tian has experienced before.

The biggest difference is that the person holding the ball to break through has changed from the 3rd position to the 2nd position.

Green used the pick-and-roll on the weak side to run continuously from the three-point line to affect the defense. Ginobili broke through from the right side and went straight to the basket.

However, the Pelicans' defensive intensity was very high, and even with the newly evolved Hammer tactics, the Spurs did not get a chance.

Seeing that the tactic was about to fail, Ginobili chose to go for a layup against Butler's sudden attack.

Butler blocked Ginobili's frontal shot opportunity.

But Ginobili tilted his waist into a 60° horizontal swing, creating a chance for himself, and then threw the ball off the board.

Demon Sword's signature snake-shaped breakthrough.

"boom!"

The ball hit the board and shot diagonally into the net.

Ginobili takes the lead for the Spurs!

Tang Tian turned around, broke through and shook off Green, and returned the favor with a sudden stop and a dry pull.

He sensed the difference tonight for the Spurs and fired right up.

Parker advanced to the frontcourt, but the Spurs' hammer tactics still couldn't work.

Parker dribbled to the basket and had no chance, so he circled around and gave the ball to Aldridge.

Aldridge’s signature comeback jumper was missing.

It was obvious that his touch was not very good tonight.

However, Gasol struggled to grab the offensive rebound and then threw it to Ginobili on the outside.

Ginobili caught the ball and Butler defended quickly.

He leaned against Butler, and after two dribbles, he chose his signature step-back three-pointer.

Butler reacted very quickly and jumped in to cause enough interference.

"Uh-huh!"

Butler defended this ball beautifully, but Ginobili shot it even better.

The basketball went hollow into the net, directly igniting the atmosphere in the ATT Arena.

The cheers and whistles of the fans were overwhelming and layer upon layer.

Ginobili scored 5 points in a row after the opening game!

This scene really brings them back to the beginning of the century.

At that time, Ginobili was not called Demon Sword, but had a very loud nickname: 20-minute Jordan.

Although Ginobili is 40 years old this year, his performance at the beginning was as if he was 10 years younger!

The Spurs were encouraged, and they started with a completely different momentum from the past three games.

Five minutes into the game, the score was tied at 13.

Although they still couldn't guard the Pelicans, there were all kinds of magic shots on the offensive end.

Attack against attack, they fully demonstrated Popovich's tactical intentions.

For the first time in the series, they survived the first five minutes.

Such is the power of the Spurs' spirit and culture that even God is on their side.

However, the Pelicans' hard power is not exaggerated.

During the stalemate, they showed defensive intensity at the best lineup level.

Butler stole one from Parker, and Tang Tian stole one from Green.

With two steals and two defensive counterattack opportunities, the Pelicans launched a 5-0 offensive.

Moreover, the Spurs' attack was disrupted and out of bounds by the Pelicans at 21 seconds, and the attack basically failed again.

The Pelicans have a tendency to take away the game in one wave.

Popovich reached out and called a timeout.

This offense is very critical, and it can even be said that it may directly determine whether the Spurs can survive this quarter.

After the timeout, Parker serves from the outside, and Green and Ginobili run around the pick-and-roll to catch the ball.

In 3 seconds, you basically only have time to catch the ball and dribble before shooting.

Parker passed the ball to Ginobili.

But Butler completely blocked the shooting angle.

The Spurs' tactics didn't work.

Just when this tactic seemed to be failing, Ginobili made an incredible through ball without looking at anyone.

The ball was directly put into Aldridge's hands under the basket, and the latter had quietly moved to the basket without knowing when.

A close shot at the buzzer, the ball hit the board and went into the frame.

Aldridge's finish was beautiful, but Ginobili's pass was even better.

The Pelicans cooperated in the frontcourt, but Butler's three-pointer after receiving the ball missed a little.

Looking back, Ginobili faked a three-point shot to dodge the defense, and went to the basket to meet Dedmon's flying floater.

The choice of this ball was very decisive, and there was physical contact between the two sides in the air.

The referee's whistle sounded, signaling Dedmon's defensive foul.

Ginobili finished the shot almost lying down in the air.

The ball spins and falls into the pocket.

This is a 2+1!

The crowd cheered again.

When the team was about to be wiped out, it was Ginobili who stood up.

A pass and a 2+1. Although the demon knife is old, it is still sharp!

Ginobili fell quite hard and was pulled up by Parker and Green.

I have to say that his waist is really well maintained. With the serpentine breakthrough in front and this 2+1, his waist strength is amazing.

A solid extra penalty hit.

While helping the Spurs tie the score, he also scored his 10th point of the game.

The Demon Sword has come to an end, but its style remains the same.