Vol 3 Chapter 251: Old Spurs Hard Nuggets

After winning the Blazers, the Thunder were relieved. After losing the game in Portland last time, the media and commentators talked about them. This time it can be considered to have blocked the mouths of those people!
Next, the Thunder players can rarely rest for a few days. However, after a short rest, they will start to tire again.
The last two games in March were back together. The Thunder need to give birth to Antonio to challenge the Spurs before returning to Oklahoma to face the Denver Nuggets.
The Spurs are really "old". This powerful team that has been in the West for nearly two decades has had a difficult season. Almost all Spurs players of the old generation have left the field, but the new generation leader Leonard has almost been reimbursed for the season. Although I have been talking about coming back, there is no action. I don't know how many stories are there!
Although there was a battle with the Thunder in the last game, when the Thunder did their best in the third quarter, they still showed the shortcomings of the lack of leaders at the critical moment. But in this game, they faced a different situation. The most important thing is that the Spurs must fight to keep their playoff tickets. Of course, the top four in the West are not without opportunities. But everything depends on the result of this game. If they win, they have a chance. If you lose, you will get closer to the next few teams. Therefore, Spurs general Aldridge was injured in the last game, but he still insists on playing today. At the critical moment in the fight for tickets, the Spurs can't afford to lose again. If always, Popovich will definitely let Aldridge take turns.
At the beginning of the game, both sides played in full force. In the beginning, the two teams played inextricably, and no one could make a big gap. Aldridge and Mills played proactively. One inside and one outside, the two cooperated fairly well. Coupled with the fact that the Thunder lost another Anlo who missed the game "due to injury", the Spurs did not fall behind. It wasn't until 2 minutes and 53 seconds left in this quarter that Paul George hit two three-pointers in a row, and the Thunder began to widen the point difference. However, Aldridge then made a goal and Mills scored three consecutive free throws. The Spurs quickly approached. In the end, the Spurs only fell behind 27:29.
In this game, An Luo not only did not play, but also did not go with the team to give birth to Antonio. After all, after this game, the Thunder will return to Oklahoma City immediately. So there is no need to go. However, he has always been watching the game. It can be seen that the basic formation of the Thunder has remained unchanged. Cavalry company commander Brewer topped the second position. Although his deterrence was not as good as An Luo, his performance was considered a qualified starter. Brewer's offense is obviously better than defense, but his defense is still much better than Ferguson.
In the second quarter, both sides came off the bench. Because of Anlo's absence, Paul George didn't take the bench alone. In this case, the Spurs countered the Thunder in this quarter, leading the Thunder by 5 points at halftime. But they can only do that. In the second half, Westbrook and Paul George had full firepower. After a quarter and a half with the Spurs, the Thunder stabilized the score difference at 20 points. Subsequently, Donovan directly removed his main player and let the substitute finish the game. After all, we have to reserve some strength for the next game!
After returning to the Chesapeake Energy Arena, Anlo "healed" back. However, Paul George missed the game again. He strained a muscle in his leg during the game against the Spurs. Donovan naturally won't let his players get injured. Such a thing has never happened again since he became the master of Thunder.
The Nuggets' life during this period is really not easy. Their record looks pretty good, 39 wins and 36 losses. If such a record is placed in the Eastern Conference, a postseason spot is definitely secure. But this is in the West, the sixth to tenth teams are similar, and the biggest difference is only 1.5 wins. Therefore, if the Nuggets want to make the playoffs, they have to keep working hard. Unfortunately, they have lost consecutively recently, making the playoffs increasingly difficult. Moreover, in this game, facing the Thunder, the number one in the West, they really have no big chance of winning. And in the last season, the Nuggets were beaten by Westbrook at the last minute, and then sent to the top eight in the Western Conference and missed the playoffs.
Although the game is difficult to play, they don't want to repeat the old things. So in this game, the two teams faced each other tit-for-tat from the beginning, entangled until the last moment. In the last 25 seconds of the regular game, the game entered the most exciting stage.
At this time, the Thunder lead the Nuggets by 1 point 112:110, but the ball is in the hands of the Thunder. As long as they score a goal, the game is basically the winner. At this time, Westbrook took the shot himself~EbookFREE.me~ After he used Adams's screen from outside the three-point line, after a continuous cross-step dribble, he suddenly accelerated past the defender, and then a European step passed by. Jokic flew directly and slammed the ball in. 114: 110! Westbrook ran back beyond the three-point line with a strong face. With 12 seconds left in the game, the Nuggets basically have no chance.
However, this guy Jokic is really stable. After giving Murray a pick and roll, he slipped outside the right three-point line and received a pass from Murray looking back at the moon, which was a three-pointer. Hand up the knife and drop it, very decisive. This time the attack took 5 seconds. Next, Westbrook was sent to the free throw line. Two free throws were made, giving the Nuggets a chance.
Later, the Nuggets repeated their previous tactics. They know that the Thunder are guarded, but they will do it. Jokic pulled out and made a bait. After he received the ball, he shook his hand to Millsap in the basket. The latter shook Robertson away in a fake motion and then put the ball into the basket very easily.
115:115! With 2 seconds left in the game, the Nuggets successfully used foul tactics to equalize the score.
It seems that this game has to be played for 5 minutes! Westbrook shook his head again and again. After he scored that goal, he thought the game was over. Unexpectedly, the Nuggets are so tenacious. Of course, he is not afraid of playing overtime, he is confident to win the game.
Only An Luo and Donovan were thinking about how to use these two seconds. Facts have proved that opportunities are reserved for those who are prepared. When Anlo slipped to the corner to catch the ball from the screens of Adams and Robertson, a familiar feeling filled the hearts of all Nuggets players. Just like last year, Westbrook made a wide shot from the left three-point line, and Anlo threw the ball before the time was up.