On May 5, US time, after a few days of rest, the second round of the NBA playoffs kicked off.

Because the Rockets and Spurs ended their game first, they also became the first team to start the second round.

The Toyota Center is still bustling, even more so than it was in the first round.

For fans, the playoffs are not only about the result, but also about the process.

Judging from the past five or even ten years, the series with the Spurs can be called classics.

The opening ceremony of the scene was also extremely hot.

The rousing music, the fiery video clips, and the ultra-high flames sprayed at both ends of the stadium reflected the spectators in red t-shirts, as if the entire arena was going to be set on fire.

The Rockets' starters followed.

It is still a regular lineup, with Billups and Maddy at the back, Battier and Yi Jianlian at the front, and Yao Ming at the center.

The Spurs are also a regular lineup for the season, with Parker and Finley on the outside, Bowen and McDyce at the front, and Duncan at center.

Duncan and Yi Jianlian jump ball.

Moments before the referee's whistle, Duncan jumped up first and flicked the ball back into the Spurs half.

The referee did not blow the whistle again, and "Stone Buddha" used experience to take advantage of it at the beginning.

Parker carried the ball to the frontcourt, and McDyce mentioned that he made a block from the left high post, followed by the catch and cut straight to the basket from the left side.

The Rockets' left side defense contracted, but at the same time, Duncan unknowingly made a no-ball block for Finley in the right high post, which was not a block, but a solid block, and Finley directly got an open position.

Parker, who broke through to the basket, attracted Yi Jianlian's bag under the basket, and at this time, he directly threw a long ball to the past.

Finley catches the ball.

"Huh!"

Three-point bag.

Despite his age, Finley has been in excellent shape since entering the playoffs, averaging 1.4 shots per game from beyond the three-point line, with a 46.7 shooting percentage.

"Watch out for the three-point shooter on the weak side." Tang Tian got up and shouted to the team members at this time.

After shouting, he turned his head to look at Popovich, who was sitting in the other half.

The "hammer tactic" just now, the Spurs are becoming more and more proficient.

Spurs, most fans in the previous life lamented that the stone Buddha is not old, and Bobo is strong, but in fact, during the 20-year Duncan period, the Spurs are constantly changing.

One of these watershed moments was that as Duncan got older, the Spurs abandoned the offensive tactics of the past with singles as the starting point, and instead used running tactics such as "hammer tactics".

It wasn't obvious when he played against the Rockets two years ago, but now he's pretty skilled.

The Rockets attacked, Yao Ming responded at the free throw line, Duncan sank his center of gravity, and the rest of the Spurs team kept an eye on the defender, changing whenever they met, and kept the person facing Yao Ming sideways, ready to interfere with the pass at any time.

The Spurs' set, which is completely different from the regular season, seems to be specially prepared for the Rockets.

Yao Ming didn't have a chance to pass the ball and turned to hit Duncan.

The continuous footsteps shook to the basket, but Duncan always followed him and did not give Yao Ming an easy shot.

Yao Ming hooked his hand behind his back.

Although Duncan couldn't reach it, he gave enough confrontation below.

"Bang!"

The ball was a little shorter, the ball slammed to the front, and Duncan turned to pick up the defensive rebound.

One-on-one, the 29-year-old Yao Ming does not have a clear advantage over the 33-year-old Duncan.

The Spurs attacked, the same tactic, Yi Jianlian went out to make up for Finley, Parker burst to the inside to face Yao Ming, and directly turned around with a gyroscopic top and made a rebound.

Yao Ming is a big man after all, and his speed can't keep up, and the cover of the shot is a little worse.

Parker was unfazed after scoring the goal, shouting for his teammates to quickly retreat, and compared with two years ago, he has also improved a lot and has obviously matured a lot.

Billups held the ball to the front court, handed the ball to Yao Ming to continue to respond high, Maddie and Yi Jianlian's blocking opportunities, Yao Ming gave the ball.

However, the moment Maddie was about to reach out to catch the ball, Bowen made a secret trip, and Maddie almost fell out.

Yao Ming's pass went directly to McDyce, McDèce threw the ball forward, and Parker received the ball and scored directly on a fast-break layup.

7 to 0!

The Spurs were mainly anti-guest and caught the Rockets off guard.

"The Spurs are really the nemesis of Team Rockets!" Seeing the situation on the field, Brin in the commentary seat couldn't help but sigh.

In the thrilling Western Conference finals two years ago, the Rockets won in the end, but the Spurs started the series with a 2-0 lead.

Now the Rockets have a stronger roster, but the Spurs are also getting older.

Tang Tian stretched out his hand and made a tactical gesture, signaling the team members to play an infinite air cut.

Billups advanced to the front court with the ball, and Yao Ming directly held the ball and pulled Duncan to the three-point line at the top of the arc.

At the same time, Maddie and Billups cut the basket in the air, and after they didn't have a chance to run out, Maddie and Yi Jianlian cut to the basket again.

The Spurs' old arms and legs soon appeared in the defensive hole, and Maddy seized the opportunity to pick up Yao Ming's pass and pull it directly into a mid-range dry pull.

"Huh!"

Basketball goes to the net.

The scene burst into cheers.

The Rockets finally broke the scoring drought.

Tang Tian turned his head to look at Popovich again, who rubbed his forehead with his hand at this time, looking a little helpless.

It seems that the old man still hasn't found a way to deal with this trick.

The Spurs' offense, Parker burst to the basket again, but Yao Ming was defensive with this ball, successfully interfered with his shot, and took advantage of the defensive rebound.

Billups pushed forward and continued to play the ball to Yao Ming for an infinite air cut.

This time, Maddie's air cut attracted Duncan's help defense, and Yao Ming dribbled the ball and took a step forward and shot directly from the high post.

"Bang!"

The ball hit the rebound and bounced in.

The Rockets continued to score gains.

Parker didn't play a hammer play in the front court, and reached out to make a different tactical gesture.

McDyce and Duncan directly mentioned the high double block, Parker found Duncan, broke through directly to the basket after the block, and burst to the inside to split the ball.

Duncan didn't shoot after receiving the ball, but threw his hand outside the three-point line on the weak side.

I don't know when McDyce blocked another open three-point opportunity for Finley.

It's still a hammer tactic! It's just mutated!

Because Duncan's jump shot was a great deterrent, the Rockets players on the court were attracted to the past and didn't notice it at all!

Finley catches the ball and makes an open three-point shot.

"Bang!"

The ball was a little shorter, Yi Jianlian struggled to grab the defensive rebound, turned around and immediately shook Maddie.

Maddie dribbled directly from the backcourt, faced McDyce's defense and dribbled directly behind a beautiful back, striding to the inside to score with a one-handed slam.

"Bang!"

The cheers at the scene shook the sky.

After the Rockets were beaten 7-0, they turned around and immediately returned the Spurs 6-0!