The Warriors narrowed the point difference to less than ten points, but the Spurs had already called two timeouts in a row, and there was nothing they could do.
The Warriors just need to keep up their efforts and will tie the score soon.
Surprisingly, Deng Fang called a timeout.
The commentator was a little surprised and questioned Deng Fang's strategy.
When the Warriors are starting to gain momentum, it is the Spurs who should be anxious. If the Spurs do not call a timeout, the Warriors should not disrupt their own rhythm. This is a common practice. Even the fans understand that Deng Fang should not make such a low-level mistake.
After the timeout, the Warriors put on a full bench lineup: Livingston, Ian Clark, Matt Barnes, David West, Pachulia.
Because McGee was promoted to the starting lineup, Pachulia was the substitute.
"What are the Warriors doing?" A Smith in the commentary box was a little puzzled: "Deng Fang looks down on his opponent too much, right?"
"Deng Fang may want to let the starting lineup rest so that he can have more strength for the decisive battle later." Reggie Miller thought for a moment and said.
"Are you crazy? How could you have such an idea?" A Smith laughed.
Reggie Miller shrugged and said he had nothing to say.
Obviously, Reggie Miller was making excuses for Deng Fang, and he also felt that Deng Fang's decision was stupid.
The game continues.
Although the Warriors came on the bench, their intensity remained the same.
The Spurs' lineup remained unchanged, with all the main players on the court. They were a little surprised at first. They didn't expect the Warriors to put on a full bench lineup, but they quickly recovered and found their rhythm immediately.
Although the momentum of the Warriors' substitutes has not diminished, after all, their strength is much worse than that of their opponents, and there is still some gap in the real fight.
The point difference immediately widened a bit.
However, Deng Fang did not react and the game continued.
Soon, at the end of the third quarter, the Spurs led by 15 points.
When the fourth quarter started, the Warriors still had these substitutes on the court, and the starters still sat off the court.
The assistant coach couldn't sit still and looked at Deng Fang several times - "Isn't the head coach so fascinated by the show that he forgot to make substitutions?"
However, Deng Fang didn't say anything and looked indifferent.
The Spurs came on as a substitute and played for three minutes, and were soon replaced by the main force.
Popovich saw some clues and he didn't want to give up this game.
The point difference has widened again.
It wasn't until there were more than 5 minutes left in the final quarter that the Warriors changed to the starting lineup.
At this time the point difference has widened to 21 points.
It worked quickly as soon as the starting lineup came back, with a small climax of 15:3, and the score difference quickly returned to 9 points.
There is no way, the starting lineup can't stand it anymore, and the Spurs are a little exhausted.
There are more than 2 minutes left in the game.
The Warriors still have a chance.
Unexpectedly, Deng Fang called a timeout again. After the timeout, both Curry and Durant, who were feeling hot, were replaced.
Deng Fang led the two of them back to the locker room.
The Warriors' two absolute strengths are no longer on the court, and the head coach has left. The Spurs will not let go of this perfect opportunity.
Although the Warriors also work hard, there is still a gap in strength after all.
Although the score difference is narrowing, there is not enough time.
Relying on tenacious defense, the Spurs finally won the game 108:105, and the series score became 1:0.
Soon, it was time for the post-match interview. Full of doubts, the reporter began to bombard Deng Fang:
"Why did you let the starters play so little time in the second half?"
"It's nothing. I think it's time for the starter to rest, and it's also time to train the bench."
"Training substitutes for the playoffs?"
"Isn't it possible?"
Well, you are the best at showing off!
"Do you look down on the Spurs?"
"I think the Spurs are indeed very strong, but they are not at the same level as us!"
"So you lost this game on purpose?"
"It's not intentional, it's just that the starting lineup was too lax at first, so we have to cheer them up." Deng Fang replied: "It's not a good thing if they think they can win with just one effort!"
"So you think it doesn't matter if you let the Spurs play one game?"
"It should be like this." Deng Fang replied: "Compared with winning or losing, making the players nervous is the most important thing. As long as we are nervous, there will be no problem in winning the Spurs."
I have to say that Deng Fang is the best at showing off!
The reporters were speechless.
"Why didn't you give in to your opponent before?"
"Because some people say that the Spurs are very powerful. Once we lose the first game, the winner of this series will be the Spurs!" Deng Fang replied: "I want you to see clearly how strong the Warriors are.
How vulnerable the Spurs are in front of us!"
"What happened to Curry and Durant? Why did they return to the locker room at the last moment?"
"I want to be on the safe side and go back and check them out."
"Then do they have any problem?"
"No."
"To put it bluntly, you want them to take a break, right?"
"Yes."
"Why did you change the starting center to McGee? Isn't Pachulia suitable to start?"
"It's suitable. Pachulia will still be the starter next time." Deng Fang replied: "I just want to avoid any surprises."
"Will you let the Spurs do it again in the future?"
"No, that's enough." Deng Fang replied: "The Spurs are not weak, they are just a little weak compared to us."
"Aren't you afraid of angering the Spurs?"
"Don't be afraid, strength is king in the competitive arena!"
"What do you think the final score will be?"
"Let's say 4:1."
"That means if you don't give the Spurs a game, you will sweep them."
"Absolutely. Of course, if there is an accident, it will only be a matter of one game at most."
…
Not surprisingly, Deng Fang’s speech after the game once again hit the headlines:
The Warriors actually lost the game on their own initiative, and the Spurs were vulnerable in Deng Fang's eyes!
Deng Fang's bold words swept the Spurs, so arrogant he will surely reap the consequences!
…
Although Deng Fang boasted loudly during the interview, he remained very low-key and cautious afterward.
After returning to the team, Deng Fang severely criticized the players:
This is the playoffs, and every game should be exciting!
As long as you are not serious, anyone may lose!
As long as we are serious, no one can beat us!
Don’t think that you can get serious if you want to be serious, you must slow down the intensity from the beginning!
Strategically despise the enemy, tactically we must pay attention to the enemy!
We can't lose any game from now on!
…
On May 16, 2017, the second game between the Warriors and Spurs started at Oracle Arena.
In this game, the Warriors returned to the starting lineup: Curry, Klay, Durant, Draymond Green, and Pachulia.
There are no changes on the Spurs side: Mills, Danny Green, Leonard, Gasol, Aldridge.
After the game, all the Spurs players heard Deng Fang's speech. It was obvious that they were stimulated, and the intensity was raised to the highest level as soon as it started!
However, the Warriors are not a vegetarian either. Under the influence of Deng Fang's chicken blood, they are equally strong.
Both sides fought hard to grab every rebound, and there was often a full-court press!
You must know that this is not the last moment. Pressing the whole court is very exhausting!
But both sides spared no effort and had only one thought in their minds: to win!
