Chapter 68 For the general manager, for the four-game winning streak!
Regarding Ginobili's breakthrough, Chinese fans have a special description - the snake is out.
To put it simply, when he breaks through, he is not the fastest, and he rarely makes fancy fake moves such as dribbling under the crotch and crossover.
But even so, defensive players were still unable to resist Ginobili's breakthrough.
The reason is that Manu has an unlimited number of moves, is agile and ghostly, and often uses some incredible technical moves to achieve extraordinary results.
For example, this time, while Ginobili was rushing towards George, he suddenly pushed the ball forward with his left hand.
Paojiao reacted quickly, thinking that the opponent had made a dribbling error, and immediately took action, trying to get the ball.
Unexpectedly, Ginobili took the lead, reached out with his right hand, and pulled the ball back.
George was startled and wanted to turn around, but in order to copy the ball, his center of gravity was too far forward and it was difficult to adjust his pace quickly.
"woo..."
Ginobili's "showy operation" also made the originally noisy Toyota Center instantly quiet, and there were bursts of exclamations.
CCTV commentator Zhang Weiping also expressed his own opinions on this action:
"Ginobili just did a street ball move called shammgod, which in Chinese is called Huang Guo God. It was invented by a beautiful Chinese street ball player named Sam Gothe."
"However, Manu has obviously improved this street ball action, making it more unexpected and wider."
His eyes returned to the field.
Just when people thought that Ginobili was about to rush into the Rockets and finish, Paul George, who was passed by, did not give up.
I saw him struggling to catch up, and when Manu had just collected the ball and was about to take three steps, he stretched out a hand from behind him...
"Pa~"
The ball was knocked away from behind by George.
Due to inertia, Ginobili continued to take off, but in the air he suddenly discovered that the basketball in his hand was still missing.
Scola, who had quick eyes and quick hands inside, caught the ball near the baseline and passed it to point guard Lawson.
Rockets counterattack!
Lawson advanced very quickly and reached the Spurs' half in no time.
On the other side of the court, George, who had completed the steal, also rushed over.
Moreover, because he is much faster than the aging Ginobili, he was left open after the Spurs halftime.
Unfortunately, Lawson's vision was average and he did not notice George, but went straight to the inside.
In the end, his layup was interfered by Spurs insider Blair and failed to hit, missing the opportunity to help the team continue to narrow the point difference.
However, after two successful defenses by Tony Allen and George, the Rockets gained momentum!
In the next three minutes, the Spurs were completely misfired, taking five consecutive shots without scoring a single goal.
The Rockets are blooming more.
Lawson frequently uses his excellent breakthrough ability to attack the opponent's inside.
Facing Ginobili's defense, George confidently used all the techniques in his "arsenal" and succeeded in consecutive singles.
The two temporarily formed a backcourt double-gun, helping the Rockets hit a 7-0 spurt, reversing the score in one fell swoop.
Fortunately, Ginobili stepped forward in time and stabilized the situation for the Spurs.
After that, the score difference between the two sides remained at about 3 points.
Soon, the time came to the middle of the second quarter, and both sides sent their main players back to the court.
However, the stalemate between the two teams did not change.
By the end of the second quarter, the two sides were tied at 70 again.
............
Halftime, Rockets locker room.
"Well done, kids! We played well in the first half!"
"Although there is no advantage in the score, we are younger than the Spurs. In the second half, we have a great chance to win this game!"
Mark Jackson was pumped with passion.
The Rockets generals nodded.
Before the game, they didn't have too many expectations for winning against the Spurs, they just wanted to do their best.
After all, the opponent is a veteran team with top stars like Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili.
But after the two quarters, the Rockets' young players suddenly discovered that they actually had the strength to compete with the strong teams in the Western Conference!
This definitely gives them more confidence!
"But, coach... we have never been able to solve Duncan's problem."
The team's big brother, Battier, expressed his concerns.
"If we adopt a single defense, then Tim (Duncan) will punish us infinitely in the low post. If we adopt a double team, Duncan will release the ball very quickly, and the Spurs' outside shooters will get a lot of open shots."
"It seems like we have to drink one of these two cups of poison."
Shane continued.
"Well, you're right."
Mark Jackson nodded and said helplessly:
"Actually, PJ has defended very well. But Duncan is extremely powerful and is not a player who can be defended just by working hard."
"Sometimes we have to accept reality and do what we can do well, and that's it."
"Well, let's make some adjustments in the second half. Chris, you replace Tucker as the starting center."
Mark Jackson looks at Birdman - Anderson arranged.
"Also...Paul (George), once you face Gary Neal or Bonner on the offensive end, you must attack resolutely and take bold shots."
"Blake, the same goes for you. The Spurs' Blair is not very defensive. You can beat him alone if you have the chance."
As he spoke, Mark Jackson drew several tactics on the whiteboard.
"Boys, four consecutive wins are just around the corner."
"The general manager told me before the game that he very much hopes we can win this game."
"So...let's give it a try!"
As Mark Jackson said this, he walked to the center of the locker room and stretched out his right hand.
The Rockets generals responded immediately and came together one after another.
"For the general manager!"
"For four consecutive wins!"
"one.two.three!"
"go.rockets!"
............
The break is over and the game continues.
Rocket serve.
Lowry advanced with the ball and handed the ball to Griffin inside.
Facing Blair's defense, the latter first took a test step and pretended to break through.
Seeing that his opponent didn't react, Griffin jumped up and shot.
"Shua~"
Basketball goes hollow into the net.
72:70, the Rockets took the lead.
On the next possession, George received a pass from beyond the three-point line.
An acceleration passed Gary Neal's defense, and he made a mid-range jumper.
72:70!
The Spurs veterans immediately sensed that the Rockets were about to gain momentum and quickly handed the ball to their core player, Tim Duncan.
Behind him, Birdman Anderson concentrated on his stance, getting ready to defend.
Before taking the field, he patted his chest and told his teammates that he could defend Duncan alone and did not need help.
At this point, it's time for Anderson to prove himself!
The next moment, Duncan moved.
He first punched Anderson twice, then turned left and accelerated towards the penalty area.
The bird-man follows him like a shadow, not giving up an inch.
Soon, Duncan came to the three-second zone.
I saw him suddenly collecting the ball, raising the ball with his right hand, like it was burning to the sky, and actually wanted to dunk Anderson!