Chapter 240 The third battle of the brave horse (4)
Lopez's three-point shooting percentage is indeed not low, but if you have to look for it, his three-pointer is still the weakest link in the Warriors' starting lineup.
Moreover, Lopez has only been able to shoot three-pointers in games for a few short months this season.
Lopez has never shot a three-pointer before!
Therefore, his three-point shooting is also the most likely to be abnormal.
Since Curry can't be guarded, and other Warriors' three-pointers are also accurate, the only choice is to bet on Lopez's inaccuracy!
That's why the Spurs chose to leave Lopez open outside the three-point line.
If you can make the investment, I'll admit it!
Anyway, it’s hard for others to guard against you, it’s you!
This is the conclusion the Spurs came to after two games.
Of course, the Spurs don't completely ignore Lopez.
Once Jefferson returns to Curry, Duncan will still have to go back to defend Lopez.
Although this time difference is big enough for Lopez to take a three-pointer, it is still useful to make a save.
At least it must pose some psychological threat to Lopez.
It's Duncan who attacks you!
This is the playoffs!
Do you still dare to take action so decisively?
Lopez did not go to the penalty area, the other three teammates were guarded, and the Spurs double-teamed him, so Curry could only pass the ball to Lopez.
Unfortunately, Lopez did not feel good today.
In the first two games, Lopez didn't take many three-pointers. The opportunity suddenly came to him, and Lopez was really uncomfortable.
In addition, this is Lopez's first playoff away game in his career, so it is normal for Lopez to be a little nervous.
The result was that Lopez failed to make a shot in three consecutive shots.
In the first 4 minutes, the Warriors only scored two points through free throws.
Fortunately, the Spurs consumed a lot of energy on the defensive end and were not very efficient on the offensive end.
The score became 12:2!
The Warriors trailed by 10 points.
Deng Fang called a timeout.
There is no good solution to this situation. Deng Fang can only comfort Lopez and let him put down the burden and vote boldly!
The less you dare to make a shot, the less likely you are to make a shot.
The more you fail to make a shot, the more your opponent will ignore you!
If there were a different coach, with Lopez in this state, he might not dare to let him continue to shoot.
Who knows if it's a problem with your hand or if it's just at this level?
Many players can only show their strength during the regular season and then reveal their secrets in big situations.
Who knows if Lopez is such a person?
Only Deng Fang was not worried about this problem.
Deng Fang was convinced that Lopez's three-pointer was no problem.
The problem now is just psychological.
All Deng Fang could do was comfort Lopez and let him continue shooting.
Of course, it is also necessary to let Lopez relax for a while.
It's often much better to sit down for a while, be a bystander, calm down, and then go on the court again.
Deng Fang replaced Livingston and DeAndre Jordan, and the iron-locked Bronzemen team took the field again.
If you have problems on offense, just focus on defense.
This time Popovich was very alert. The Warriors replaced Lopez and Curry, and the Spurs also replaced McDyess and Jefferson.
Enter Mason and Matt Bonner!
Aren't you a good defender?
Then I'll replace all the shooters and see how you defend!
Mason, Matt Bonner, Ginobili and George Hill are all reliable in their open three-pointers.
The Warriors don't dare to shrink too much.
Taking advantage of the space on the court, Ginobili and Hill continued to play pick-and-rolls with Duncan.
However, the Spurs still underestimated the power of the Warriors' Iron Chain formation.
What will be the effect of putting five good defensive players together?
That’s how these five people compare!
Compare who can defend better!
Compare who doesn’t miss anyone!
Compete with who has better awareness and faster defense!
Although Parker and Duncan are very skilled in the pick-and-roll, the Warriors are quicker to cover and change positions.
Even if they add shooters and increase their firepower, it's still not easy for the Spurs to score.
And because of the addition of Mason and Bonner, the Spurs' lineup is not very defensive, and it is easier for the Warriors to score.
Although the Warriors' lineup is a little short of three-pointers, their attack power at the basket is even stronger!
Livingston's post play alone gave the Spurs a headache.
Parker really can't defend him!
Soon, 5 minutes passed, and the score between the two teams became 13:19!
The Warriors recovered 4 points!
Bobo had to call a timeout.
Duncan has been playing for a long time and it's time to take a rest.
After the timeout, the game restarts.
The five players on the Spurs court are Parker, Bogans, Jefferson, Blair and McDyess.
For the Warriors, Curry and Lopez have finished their rest and are back on stage.
In addition to Curry, the Warriors also have Belinelli, Anthony Morrow and Radmanovic.
Another pure offensive lineup!
With the experience just now, the Spurs still want to continue to expand Lopez.
But the Warriors played a no-ball strategy.
Curry and Belinelli kept running back and forth, while Lopez provided cover for the two.
After covering Lopez, he goes to the basket!
Let's see how you let me go!
The Spurs' lineup is average defensively, especially McDyess, who simply cannot keep up with Curry and Belinelli.
The Warriors evened the score with a three-pointer!
Soon, at the end of the first quarter, the score between the two teams became 27:26!
The Warriors are still one point ahead!
Soon the second quarter of the game started.
Curry and Lopez continue to fight.
The Spurs also replaced McDyess and Parker, and Ginobili and George Hill came on.
Popovich put up a pure small lineup, with Blair as center.
This lineup moves very fast, and the Warriors' low-end version of the Splash Brothers' off-ball movement was suddenly restricted.
Curry had to start a pick-and-roll with Lopez again.
The Spurs still use the old method of zooming in on Lopez to shoot three-pointers!
After a period of rest and adjustment, Lopez began to hit three-pointers.
However, due to the Spurs' quick defense, Lopez's shooting percentage was not ideal.
But it's easy to say that after entering, at least the Spurs dare not ignore Lopez completely.
Since the Warriors' lineup is not very defensive, it becomes easier for the Spurs to score.
The scores of the two teams increased alternately.
After 6 minutes, the Spurs replaced Duncan and Jefferson and returned to the starting lineup.
The Warriors also brought back all their starters.
On the offensive end, Ginobili and Duncan continued to play pick-and-rolls, while on the defensive end, they continued to focus on Lopez.
The Spurs felt good from the outside and took advantage of the Warriors' shrinking defense to score several three-pointers in a row.
The score was quickly extended.
Fortunately, Lopez finally found his touch in the last three minutes and scored four three-pointers in a row.
The score was quickly recovered!
When Lopez regained his touch, the Spurs' defense was in trouble.
Continue to double-team Curry and magnify Lopez?
It seems that people are not afraid!
But Curry can’t let it go either!
What to do?
Are you going to be thrown to death by Lopez?
Once he hesitates in his heart, he will not be decisive in encircling him.
Curry took advantage of the Spurs' defensive loopholes and started taking action!
After waiting for a long time, I finally found the opportunity!
Except for a few open three-point shots without the ball just now, Curry didn't take many shots.
After missing the first two, Curry scored three in a row!
Fortunately, the Spurs' outside firepower was still there and the score did not open up.
Soon, the first half of the game was over, and the two teams were tied at 47:47.
