Vol 4 Chapter 1134: Popovich: Tap lightly (four / five!)

Time flies, and the playoffs begin immediately.
The Spurs arrived in New Orleans the day before the game, and they conducted closed training for a day and a half.
On April 15, US time, as the first two teams to play in the playoffs this year, the Pelicans and Spurs kicked off the 2017 ~ 2018 playoffs.
The New Orleans Arena is full.
This game was broadcast live across the United States. Fans in New Orleans and surrounding areas who did not buy tickets can also choose to watch Fox Sports.
Compared with tnt, Fox is lower in fees, which also allows them to have more users in New Orleans and surrounding areas.
However, no matter how cheap the price was, I didn't buy a ticket to watch the game on the spot.
Although it is the first round, the Pelicans and Spurs now meet a lot, and they have a lot to watch.
When warming up before the game, there is a lot of communication between players on both sides, between players and 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 of the Pelicans. If it's in San Antonio, Duncan will probably go to the stadium to watch the game.
At that time, Davis and Duncan probably had a lot to say.
"Tony and I both want to go to play with you, and I will definitely go without retiring next season."
Ginobili and Tang Tian were talking arrogantly, and Tang Tian touched his head.
The two have a good relationship in private, and Tang Tian knows this is Ginobili's last playoffs.
Just like Duncan touched him before he retired, it may be the last time on the court.
Ginobili did not resist, anyway, he was almost gone, it doesn't matter if he can't touch it.
"Start tapping."
Popovich and Tang Tian said very seriously.
The team's strength gap, the head coach is the most clear.
After the Leonard incident, Popovich owed Tang Tian a favor, which seemed not to fool him, but to talk to his heart.
"I will."
Tang Tian smiled and nodded.
The scene soon entered the opening ceremony, and the starting lineups of the two teams were released one after another.
The Pelicans did their best, and they are still the starting combination of four brothers Gademond.
They are determined to win the championship, and as the outside world has said, they must really retaliate against Xiao Hua and win the championship.
On the Spurs side, neither Parker nor Ginobili started.
Patrick Mills and Danny Green's perimeter combination, with Gay and Aldridge on the front, center Gasol.
"Do you think the Spurs can resist for a few minutes?"
At the commentary table, Barkley turned to ask Smith and O'Neal.
"A half and a half."
Kenny Smith said seriously.
"Why a half and a half?"
Buckley asked curiously.
"I think the Spurs' starter can withstand more than half a quarter. When the bench joins, Parker and Ginobili are there, and they can support more than half a quarter, so they add up to a half.
Kenny Smith analyzed it very carefully.
But his analysis directly amused O'Neal.
"Five minutes. Without Kawaii, they can't last five minutes."
O'Neal said with a smile.
Buckley nodded, and rarely spoke.
In fact, both people are right, the key is whether the Spurs can survive the first five minutes.
If it survives, there is a good chance that it will stand still to a half.
Of course, it will be difficult no matter how much. The main team returns in the second quarter. Even if the Spurs are in good shape and their physical fitness declines, they have no chance.
As the commentary Xi Kankan talked, the starting players of the two sides prepared before the end of the game, one after another.
Tang Tian came on last and threw magnesium powder as usual.
The mood of the fans at the scene also rose to a peak at the beginning.
Davis turned the ball from Gasol's fingertips back to the Pelicans halftime, officially kicking off the playoffs.
The Pelicans came up to play against Waddey's pick-and-roll, and Walker quickly broke through Aldridge to make a layup.
To say that the Spurs' worst player this season is veteran Gasol. The defensive end is very slow.
"beep!"
Just then, a whistle suddenly sounded on the sidelines.
Popovich called a pause!
This scene shocked everyone.
Popovich performed the shark-like operation at the beginning!
Tang Tian was also very surprised, but if you look at Popovich again, nothing is strange.
After the suspension came back, the Spurs had a substitution. Popovich replaced Gasol with Dezenté Murray and put in a big and small team.
This lineup is very strange. From the configuration point of view, it is to give up the rhythm of the inside defense!
I don't know what medicine Popovich sells.
Spurs positional battle, the iconic hammer tactics, Gay broke the ball to the bottom corner Green, Green opened a three-pointer.
"Oh!"
Green hit his first shot.
Popovich's suspension was just a loss.
For the Pelicans' offense, Walker gave the ball directly to Davis in the post.
Although Guy is a big man, he is a little bit anti-Davies.
Green on the weak side had a defense, but Butler had already made an empty cut. Davis passed the ball. Butler flew to the layup and received 2 points after receiving the ball.
As the fans expected, the Spurs lineup like the Pelicans ~ EbookFREE.me ~ can not help one-on-one defense, the defense and the opportunity as before.
In a nutshell, there are so many insiders.
But Popovich looked calm, and rarely lost his temper because of the team's defense.
Looking back, the Spurs wanted to replay the tricks, but the Pelicans strengthened their defense, Green was followed, and Gay's breakthrough was pressed by Davis.
There was not much time left to attack, and the ball was finally given to Aldridge.
Aldridge beat Dedmond back, turning his signature back.
Dedmon's defense was in place, reaching out to cover Aldridge's shot angle.
"Oh!"
However, basketball still came into the net.
The Spurs started the game very well.
At 5-4, in the opening two rounds, the Spurs and Pelicans played equally.
The Pelicans attacked the frontcourt, Davis continued to play against Gay, this time the Spurs did not assist.
Davis' shot to the basket was fouled by Guy and he was given two chances to increase his penalty.
After a solid two free throws, the Pelicans led 6-5.
Looking back, Aldridge continued to play back, but did not make the jumper, but Murray struggled to grab the offensive rebound, which led to Demon's foul.
It also made two free throws.
7-6, the Spurs exceeded the score!
The Spurs played hard after the opening and stalemate with the Pelicans!
Tang Tian looked at Popovich and shook his head.
I thought Popovich owed himself a change of sentiment, but in the end he thought more.
In terms of the Spurs' performance on the court, Popovich was afraid that he would be fierce before the game, and asked the Spurs players to go all out in the opening game.
The Pelicans attacked the frontcourt again, Tang Tian took the initiative to reach the ball this time.
Since Popovich couldn't believe a punctuation mark, he would show up.
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