Zhang Xiaotian is always able to burst out with huge energy at critical moments, not one game or two, and Popovich certainly noticed it.

Usually behaves ordinary, and when it comes to critical moments, it is rare, but it is not nothing, similar players are called big hearts, Mr. Key, and are also called lucky generals.

Popovich has coached such players before, such as seven-time champion Robert Horry.

As a role player, Robert Horry was no longer at his peak when he came to the Spurs, but he still contributed to the Spurs' championship.

However, if Zhang Xiaotian is to be played, who will be replaced.

Although Leonard's performance is average, he is a player that the team focuses on developing, and he needs to grow through this kind of hard fighting, and if Danny Green is replaced, Popovich is worried that Zhang Xiaotian's rough defense will not be able to interfere with Kobe's nimble footwork.

The next inside line? Popovich has been making up his mind for a long time, but the interior is still suffering on the court, whether he wants to play one big or four small rebounds, you know, Ginobili, who is often at the last moment of the game, is not playing now, just worried about defense and rebounding problems.

Facing a playoff opponent and playing inextricably together, this is a good opportunity to practice the team, and Popovich must be cautious.

Just when Popovich hesitated, Kobe Bryant and Gasol teamed up twice, and the latter hit two shots, and the Lakers suddenly took a three-point lead.

Can't hesitate any longer, the footsteps of the old stone Buddha can't keep up with the sister-in-law.

The Spurs asked for a timeout, replaced Zhang Xiaotian, and played a small lineup.

The Lakers did the opposite, they removed the No. 1 spot, let Kobe Bryant control the ball, and put Jamison on the lineup, a complete big man lineup.

Although the Lakers are a big lineup, the space is very open, except for Howard sitting on the inside, Jamison and Gasol are outside, and Kobe Bryant can shoot and score after breaking through.

How to say it, the Lakers have no choice, otherwise it may be more suitable for Kobe Bryant, who is full of firepower, with two pure three-point shooters.

Both teams have their own disappointments, and this time it depends on the means of the stars.

After Zhang Xiaotian came on the court, the Lakers did not take extra precautions, Zhang Xiaotian played a stunning performance against the Clippers, many players may not pay too much attention, but there must be someone in the coaching staff of each team who analyzed him.

Three points were like rain that day, but his main offensive method was not three points, and his main means of shooting or attacking the basket after breaking through was his main means, with Howard here, the Lakers were very relieved.

The Spurs are different, Popovich let Zhang Xiaotian play at this time, and he definitely didn't fancy his defense.

Jamison has old arms and legs, Zhang Xiaotian got the space to shoot with a reverse run, Parker sent the ball, and Zhang Xiaotian pulled up three points and hit it steadily.

In fact, even if the skill is activated, Zhang Xiaotian's three points are not very good.

But because of the system, he was particularly confident in the fourth quarter, and he shot decisively, of course, with a high shooting rate.

And after he hit 11 three-pointers that day, he reminisced about how he felt at that time from time to time in training, and he worked extra hard in shooting training, and his own ability gradually improved.

At 78:78, the two teams were tied again.

The Lakers' interim coach Bernie Bixduff only realized his mistake, and the Spurs took a risk to play an interior and put on a backup for a purpose.

The Lakers immediately changed their defensive strategy and let Artest keep an eye on Zhang Xiaotian, anyway, Jamison's role on the outside is a high battery, and it is enough to prevent Danny Green from putting cold arrows.

In the Lakers' offense, they passed the ball to Gasol again and let him single Leonard.

The Spurs' pinch attack went up as soon as it came, and at this time they certainly wouldn't let Gasol play alone, Kobe Bryant broke through the shrinking defense, and Gasol received the ball and was also affected by the shrinking defense, and if they split the ball, the defense line would be quickly expanded.

They only have one interior now, but the other four are not slow, and they have no problem moving faster and rotating quickly in the last bit of time.

In fact, Leonard can really defend against Gasol, he is only a little inexperienced now.

Gasol was pinched and immediately passed the ball, then turned around and wiped it inside, Kobe Bryant immediately hoisted the ball inside, Gasol raised his long arm high, and was about to put the ball in, Duncan chose to foul.

It has nothing to do with Leonard, Gasol's turn is too good, even if there is an inside line, it is a step slower.

Gasol didn't fight much in front, but he didn't expect it to break out at this time.

In defense, Artest squeezed towards Zhang Xiaotian with a smile on his face.

"Little one, that little time in the first half was too much, show me what you can do."

Zhang Xiaotian is not afraid to fight against the opponent's body, but he is very emotional, the 33-year-old Artest can be regarded as a veteran on the professional court, but compared with Jamison, this old guy's strength is a little too much.

Grappling seems to be meaningless for Artest, but Zhang Xiaotian will not switch to unfamiliar methods at critical moments, and the other party doesn't care, so work harder.

He doesn't have much playing time anyway, so he just does it with a 120% attitude.

The Spurs' Duncan held the ball, but there was no chance, Zhang Xiaotian, who was holding back his strength to confront Artest, suddenly turned around and ran towards Duncan at full speed.

Artest was also impressed, thinking that he had already figured out Zhang Xiaotian in the first half, although he just felt that Zhang Xiaotian seemed to be more powerful and didn't care too much, but he didn't expect Zhang Xiaotian to suddenly accelerate so fast.

By the time he stopped in front of Zhang Xiaotian again, Zhang Xiaotian had already received Duncan's pass and went to the inside.

Artest was just about to follow, but was stopped by Duncan, and Zhang Xiaotian had already started.

The monster was eyeing the inside, and it looked like it was about to slap the person rushing over.

Zhang Xiaotian was not afraid, he didn't play basketball if he was afraid, he jumped high in front of Howard, threw the whole person over, and made a dodge move in the air.

Bang, it was like he hit a wall, but alas, he almost got one on Howard's head.

However, this time there was also a foul, and Howard looked bitter because it was his fifth foul.

Two free throws hit steadily, at the beginning of the physical fitness was not strong enough and liked to impact the inside, Zhang Xiaotian not only practiced a big heart, but also practiced a good free throw.

It's tied again, and the time has come to the last minute.

Kobe Bryant didn't have the patience to pass the ball anymore, and after breaking through Parker, he faced the pinch Kobe Bryant accelerated laterally and drifted back to throw the ball in, which is the strength of a superstar, which is completely unreasonable.

The next round for each side was scoreless, and the time was running out less and less.

After the Spurs took a timeout, Popovich arranged a tactic for Zhang Xiaotian, which was not yet in the last seconds, but the tactic was similar to the execution of the last shot.

Parker controlled the rhythm outside the three-point line, and then distributed the ball to Zhang Xiaotian, who was covered and ran to the three-point line, Zhang Xiaotian took a step, Artest and Kobe pounced at the same time, Zhang Xiaotian passed the ball hard to the bottom corner, and rushed towards the opponent's penalty area.