The two offenses at the beginning of the first quarter set the tone for the rest of the game. Both sides are not fast-paced and most of the time they are fighting positional battles. But both teams are efficient as they are always able to find gaps in the opposition defence with superb passing.

At the end of the first quarter, the Pacers led the Spurs by just one point, 24-23. Originally, the point difference had been widened a little, but the substitute "Demon Knife" Ginobili scored a lot of goals that were not very "Spurs".

Ginobili is such a player who has always made Popovich love and hate. His frustrating passing was always between mistakes and assists, and his way of scoring goals was unconventional. However, this is also the reason why he is called the "Demon Knife".

Sure enough, the Spurs' composure made it unlikely that they would be too far behind. There were no mistakes on either side today, so the Pacers didn't get much chance to fight back. However, getting into positional offense, that's exactly what the Spurs want to see. ”

Mike. Brin was right, slow-paced positional battles, which is the Spurs' favorite rhythm. While Henson doesn't rule out positional battles, he doesn't want the Spurs to play comfortably. He needs to open up the difference, in the case of positional battles. And in positional warfare, there is only one way to quickly open up the difference - three-point shot.

"Look for opportunities beyond the three-point line, cover off the ball and run off the ball a little bit more. Take your chances and hold on defensively. As long as we can shoot a few damn threes, the margin can be widened! At the break, Henson's set-up was also very clear, asking his players to take more shots from beyond the three-point line.

To do this, Henson replaced Ray. Aaron and Danny. Green. While Leonard can also shoot three-pointers, there's no doubt that when it comes to three-point shooting, Danny is a big player in the field. Green's attainments are a little higher. And George played a lot of time in the first quarter of the game and needed a few more minutes of rest. Aaron continued to put on his sleeve.

The Spurs are the best mid-range team in the league, but don't forget, the Pacers were one of the best three-point shooters in the league.

On the other side, Popovich and his assistant Budenholzer are also figuring out Henson's psychology. In the end, the old man decided to focus on protecting the basket, after all, the offensive method of three-point shooting is extremely unstable. You can kill your opponent or you can kill yourself.

"If the opponent really opens up the difference with a three-point shot, don't hesitate to hit the ball as far inside as possible!" Popovich finished explaining, and the intermission was just over.

With new adjustments and strategies, the two coaches are fighting again!

In the first shot of the opening game of the second quarter, Paul clearly saw that the Spurs' defense was still focused on protecting the basket, which couldn't help but boost his confidence. In the first quarter of today's game, the Pacers' finishing rate under the basket was actually very average, and the reason for this was that the Spurs' defensive system could make players who burst into the basket instantly fall into the encirclement.

This kind of defensive mobility is absolutely not seen on the Heat. It's true that the Heat's defense is very tough, and anyone who watched the last round knows how fierce the physical confrontation between the two teams was on the court. However, the lack of toughness and discipline has led to the fact that the Heat's defense still can't cause too much trouble for the Pacers.

But the Spurs did the opposite, giving the Pacers a moderate level of physical intensity on the defensive end, but the tactics were executed very decisively. Use the power of multiple people to contain the powerful impact of the Pacers. Popovich's defensive strategy proved to be successful, and the fact that the Pacers scored only 24 points in the first quarter of the game speaks volumes.

Therefore, there is no reason for Popovich to change tactics in the second quarter. Even if he somewhat guessed that Henson would play the idea of a three-point shot.

Paul stopped at the distance between the three-point line and the halfway line so he could see the two corners. Thunder. Both Allen and Green were looking for opportunities by running empty-handed, but Paul was well aware of how much responsibility he had. If your teammates run out of the way and you don't see it or don't pass the ball in time, then with the Spurs' defensive level, the opportunity is gone.

So every goal in the attack seems to be the credit of the scorer. But among them, the screeners and passers, and even the bait that pulls the defense, actually have a lot of credit.

It was then that Paul saw Ray. Allen got through Horford's cover and a counterrun to shake Gary away. Neil is a little distance. Chris. Paul didn't hesitate, or even hide his intentions with a feint of his eyes. He used his waist to drive his arm and threw the basketball at Ray. Aaron, that veteran shooter!

Paul's passing speed is very fast! And Ray. A shooter like Allen is always ready to catch the ball.

"Smack!"

Thunder. Allen caught Paul's pass steadily, and at this point, Gary. Neil has gotten rid of Horford but is far from Ray. Aaron is one step away. That's enough distance for the player who hits the most three-pointers in the league!

"Look, I'll just say, that kid will play three-point idea." See Ray. Allen shoots, and Popovich shakes his head. He knew, Gary. Neil can't interfere with Ray anymore. Aaron too. Can now make Ray. Allen doesn't score, only his own touch.

But unfortunately, Ray. Aaron is hot today. As soon as the game came up in the second quarter, he helped the Pacers hit a three-pointer!

"Good ball, Chris. Paul is a master of organization. On the offensive end, he can see anywhere on the pitch! Thunder. Allen's final blow and Paul's timely pass were perfect!"

Henson was glad that his tactics were successful from the start, but he wasn't complacent. In the regular season, a few three-pointers are enough to pull away the score and completely destroy the opponent's confidence. But his opponent today is Popovich's Spurs!

A subsequent attack, "French trot" Tony. Parker's layup was hit by Horford's aggressive interference. But Brazilian Split took advantage of the gap that Horford saved and grabbed the offensive rebound. It's just a pity that Split has always been just a blue-collar worker, and his finishing ability under the basket is not strong.

After getting the rebound and landing on the ground, Split immediately jumped on the offensive for the second time. But by this time Horford had already rushed back, raising his arms high under the basket to interfere with Split's layup. That's all, Al. Horford let Split's offense miss without even jumping.

The Spurs didn't convert offensive rebounds into scoring, and the Pacers had a chance to open up the gap!

The Spurs' retreat wasn't as quick as the Heat's, but it was solid. The route of the seal and the angle of the pass, they can all block.

The Heat's retreat was fast, but a bit chaotic. For example, several times, Bosh and Joe. Anthony quickly retreated to the basket, but found Al. Horford stayed outside the three-point line, resulting in a leak. But the Spurs' retreat will never make such a mistake.

Perhaps, this is why the Heat failed to reach the Finals. These are the small details that are sometimes enough to make the two teams open up the gap.

On the second offense in the second quarter, Paul still found Ray. Alan. But with the lessons of the last time, the Spurs are on a good run in the Rays. Allen switched the defence the moment he took advantage of the off-ball screen. Stephen. Jackson crossed to Ray. Aaron in front of Gary. Neil went straight to Green.

Thunder. Allen didn't make a strong throw, but returned the ball to Paul, who broke through directly after receiving the ball!

"It looks like the Pacers' tactics aren't playing out." Mike. Brin shook his head, the same way can't defeat the Spurs twice!

But what people don't see is that at the moment of Paul's breakthrough, Danny. Green went along the bottom corner to the top of the arc, and David. West rose from the three-second zone to the high post, just blocking Neil, who was defending Green.

As Paul on the move, it was as if he had eyes behind him, and he shifted the basketball to the top of the arc in a wide area!

"Danny. Green, open shot! ”

Danny. Green, the "runner" who once played in the Development League without a team, doesn't know what kind of greatness he will create in this year's playoffs.

It's Gary again. Neil, Henson is determined to be playing with his defensive weakness. Playing defensive weaknesses doesn't have to break through, you can also hit by shooting.

Green has a solid shot, and in fact Green has been a very optimistic player for Popovich. Since the league had Henson, Popovich has found it increasingly difficult for the Spurs to pick up leaks with low picks.

It's not because the Spurs' vision has deteriorated, but because they have another competitor to pick up together.

Neal was sweating profusely, and he knew that if he scored again, the team would lose six points because of himself. He prayed countless times in his heart, praying that the ball would not hit. After all, this is a three-point shot, and the uncertainty of a three-point shot is just too great.

However, Neil's self-soothing did not materialize. Green's three-pointer and Ray. Allen was as steady, and the sound of the Nets tumbling made the entire bankers' life arena restless. Of course, also let Gary. Neil and Popovich listened heartwarmingly.

Counting the one-point lead at the end of the first quarter, plus the current two three-pointers, the Pacers instantly stretched the gap to 7 points! Another round like this, and the score difference will be in double digits.

"Do you want to pause?" Budenholzer was nervous, but Popovich was unhurried.

"Look again."

As a result, the Spurs' offense this time still did not succeed. Neil had an open three-pointer. But I don't know if it was the defense just now that made Neil lose confidence, and he didn't grasp the open three-point game, which is a "necessary skill" for every Spurs outside player.

Best of all, the ball also formed a long rebound. Chris. Paul grabbed Parker's jersey with a small move from the mid-range position, then leaped high to pocket the rebound!

After grabbing the rebound and landing on the ground, Paul didn't even have a firm footing, so he directly launched a long pass in the backcourt!

In fact, Paul had already seen Grimm running forward when he was in the air. If he wanted to, he could pass the ball directly in the air! But at that time, Green hadn't gotten rid of "Martial Saint" Jackson, so Paul didn't do that.

"Attack directly, this is what Popovich does not want to see!"

Green received a long pass and ran wildly, Stephen. Jackson, of course, was unrelenting. While Jackson was in full pursuit, Danny . Green suddenly made an emergency stop outside the three-point line!

Generally speaking, a fast break counterattack will hit the ball inside, after all, this has the highest success rate. Chasing three points is a big reward, but it's also more risky.

Therefore, Jackson had no idea that Green would make a pullup outside the three-point line. He rushed over his head due to inertia, leaving room for Green to shoot!

This seemingly tepid, but actually powerful "3D guard" did not hesitate and made a three-point shot!

The goal may seem unreasonable, but Henson doesn't blame Green. When a shooter's hand warms up, whatever he throws is reasonable!

Duncan and Split had already run to the basket and opened their arms to get stuck in position, ready to protect the rebound. However, the basketball actually fell directly into the net. Green, second straight three-point hit!

"Green, this kid is burning!" Mike. Brin raised his arms and cheered.

"Hey." Popovich sighed and called a halt to the game.

Green's three-pointer allowed the Pacers to widen the margin to double digits at the beginning of the second quarter! Pulling away with a three-pointer in a positional battle, Henson's plan succeeded once again! Green's performance surprised Henson. This guy feels like a top shooter in the finals!

10 points, this point difference is not easy to equalize for teams who like to play positional battles. Henson gave his own conundrum, and now, it was Popovich's turn to pick up.