The day after the game against the Knicks, the Spurs flew to Chicago.

This is the second meeting between the two sides this season, with the last meeting being at the home of the Spurs.

In Rose's absence, the Spurs eventually won the game.

The Bulls are now the first in the East, and although the Spurs have suffered a wave of consecutive defeats, they still beat the Thunder to the first place in the West because of the accumulation of previous wins.

In other words, it's a clash between the top of the East and West tables.

The Spurs want to end the losing streak, and the Bulls want to avenge the last game, and this game is full of highlights.

As soon as he arrived in Chicago, Tang Tian suddenly received a text message from Thompson.

"I've got Rookie of the Month too, and we're tied again."

Thompson averaged 15.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game in March, shooting 47% from the field and 45% from three-point range, beating Tang Tian and Rubio to win the Rookie of the Month.

"Yes, keep it up."

After replying to the text message, Tang Tian put away his mobile phone.

Thompson is getting better and better, and he's just going through a ban and he's going to have to work harder.

That night, the United Center Arena was already full.

The emergence of Rose made the Bulls a league powerhouse again after Jordan's retirement, and also revitalized Chicago's ball market.

As long as the Bulls have a game, the arena is almost full.

Fans flocked to the arena just to watch Rose put on a crazy show time and time again.

The youngest MVP in history has been plagued by a series of injuries such as toe, groin, and ankle this season, but he still can't stop the enthusiasm of the fans.

As long as Rose is on the court, Chicago has no shortage of his fans.

The players of both teams were on the pitch doing their final warm-up before the game.

At this moment, Tang Tian noticed an old acquaintance walking towards him.

Jimmy Butler.

When Butler was at Marquette University, Tang Tian's UConn was his bitter master, not only killing the regular season double, but also eliminating the opponent in the league championship.

Sometimes, though, the opponent isn't necessarily the enemy.

At the time of the draft, Butler was the 30th pick, and Tang Tian was the 31st pick.

However, after entering the NBA, the situation of the two is very different.

Tang Tian is thriving with the Spurs, and Butler is a little miserable with the Bulls.

Because the Bulls' starting lineup and rotation are basically fixed, in addition to the starting Deng, he is also in front of Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver and others.

He has a short arm span and poor offense, averaging less than 10 minutes per game throughout the season.

This is also what happens to most rookies after they are selected by Haoqiang.

Not all head coaches have the courage to break the rotation like Popovich, and not all rookies have the same improvisation as Tang Tian.

Butler came over to greet Tang Tian, which belonged to the old rivals and the exchange of rookie life.

Although also a hard-working player, Butler is much more talkative than Leonard.

The brief warm-up before the game ended, and the scene immediately entered the opening ceremony.

As the lights dimmed, the Spurs' starters were the first to be introduced, and Popovich used a new starting lineup for this game.

On the outside are Parker and Tang Tian, on the front line are Leonard and Dio, and on the center Duncan.

This starting lineup also surprised the head coach of the opposite Bulls, Thibodeau.

Such is the elusive character of Popovich.

He can take Duncan and Ginobili off when he plays the Knicks, or he can play all-out when he plays the Bulls.

After the Spurs' starting introduction, the Bulls followed suit, and the background music "Sirius" sounded on the scene.

This is also the background music of the 2K classic.

Tang Tian was a little unconsciously enthusiastic when he heard this music.

As the man who beat Walker with one hand in college, he is also a hardcore player in 2K.

The Bulls signed Richard Hamilton this season, who has been plagued by injuries like Rose, but still started this game.

Ross and Hamilton on the outside, Ruel Deng and Carlos Boozer on front, Joakim Noah on center.

This is the Bulls' strongest lineup of the season, Popovich wants to win, and Thibodeau wants to win no less than him.

Duncan and Noah's jump ball, Duncan flicked the ball back into the Spurs half, and the visitors had the first chance to attack.

The Spurs came up and played an AI hammer tactic first, Tang Tian's baseline was marked and had no chance, and the passing route between Parker and Tang Tian was also cut off.

That's where the game gets tougher as the season progresses, as the Spurs' new tactics have begun to be studied and targeted.

This is also the reason why Popovich put Green on the bench after Tang Tian's comeback, he needs Tang Tian's defense, and he also needs Tang Tian's creativity on the offensive end.

Tang Tian borrowed Duncan's block to wrap it around to a 45-degree angle, and Parker chose to give the ball to Dio at the free throw line.

Dio only received the ball for a moment, and then passed the ball to Tang Tian.

There is a high possibility of passing errors in a straight line, but with Dior as the central axis, the error rate is significantly reduced.

Tang Tian received the ball with a three-point shot.

"Huh!"

With a crisp sound, his first shot hit.

When Dior first joined the Spurs, Tang Tian thought about the changes that Dior could bring to the Spurs.

With one more point and pivot on the field, he can fill in the playmaking ability of the starting lineup after Ginobili enters the bench.

And that's exactly what happened.

Popovich nodded with satisfaction.

His purpose in this lineup was similar to Tang Tian's idea, and now the effect was played in the first round.

The Bulls' offense, Rose dribbling to the frontcourt, Boozer mentioning a high pick-and-roll.

Rose took the ball and rushed inside, his first step like a twin-turbo sports car, through Dior, rushing inside before Parker's bag and scoring with a quick shot.

The cheers broke out instantly, this is the viewing ******* of Rose's play, but there is no lack of aesthetics.

"Defend! Defend! ”

With a ball, Ross completely ignited the atmosphere of the audience, and without the need for DJ tape, the shouts of the scene were already overwhelming.

The hot atmosphere is also a key factor for the Bulls to rank first in the East this season.

The Spurs' offense, Dio's ball-handling in the high post, and Parker and Leonard cutting into the basket from both sides, is a typical high-post tactic.

Parker's cuts were lethal like a scalpel, and Leonard also diluted Deng's defensive attention, and the entire Bulls' defense was shrinking inside.

At this moment, Tang Tian silently moved from the bottom corner to the top of the arc.

Dior shook the pass, Tang Tian received the ball and shook the rushing Boozer and then shot.

"Huh!"

Tang Tian's consecutive three-point hits!

Not only did he not lose his touch after being banned for three games, but he seemed to be getting hotter!

At this time, even Popovich was happy.

The team is a new lineup tonight, and the overall effect of the lineup is not yet visible.

But with this continuous cooperation between Tang Tian and Dior, they are quite calling!