With less than 9 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the score between the Lakers and the Spurs was still 70-66, and the two teams had a direct scoring panic in the past 2 minutes.

Leonard and Pierce were caught in the middle, and the impact on both teams was huge.

"This kind of situation is what Coach D wants to see!"

"Popovich and Spurs, now they are in great difficulty!"

The game entered the first official timeout of the fourth quarter, Popovich called.

This kind of pace of play is certainly not what he wants to see.

On the Spurs bench, Popovich was constantly encouraging the Spurs players coming off the court.

Budenholzer, on the other hand, whispered a suggestion in Popovich's ear.

"Bobo, go to Manu!"

On Manu?

In a race at the pace of the moment?

This is an extremely dangerous, extremely uncertain thing.

In this game, he was fighting with Coach D to defend.

Manu went up, and he and the Spurs' impeccable defense had holes.

Don't think about defensive battles.

That's why Coach D doesn't play Seth Curry.

That's why he didn't play Manu in this game.

And......

"Mike, do you really think that Ibanks, Antetokounmpo, McCarvey and they don't have offensive ability?"

Popovich's soft words directly left Budenholzer speechless.

Against the Spurs, who have defended to the extreme, the Spurs, who have a single defense and almost perfect defense, McCarvey, Antetokounmpo and Ibanks have almost no ability to score points alone, and they can't score points at critical moments.

However, if against the defense of Manu......

Manu went up, not to mention being troughed by 10,000 people, but there is also this possibility!

Manu will either break the Lakers' defense or be likely to be destroyed by the Lakers.

The latter is more likely.

Because of the defensive ability of the Lakers trained by Coach D, now, everyone has actually seen it, and it has really reached the level where it can be published!

The defending Spurs have a hard time even scoring!

It's been almost 40 minutes into the game, and the Spurs have scored 66 points, who would dare to imagine?

After this game is played, the Spurs, it is really possible that they will not even be able to score 80 points, as Coach D said before the start of this series!

Unless Bobo gives up on defending with Coach D and turns the game into an offensive battle.

But......

If you want to attack, can you attack?

Bobo took the initiative to give up the title of the strongest defensive coach, this is difficult, and what is even more difficult is that Bobo and the Spurs can break the Lakers' defense line by playing offense?

If the Spurs play offense, Barkley and Garnett certainly can't play at the same time, otherwise it's too slow.

When the time comes, as long as Duncan can collapse Garnett and the Spurs, he can break the Lakers' defense!

This line of defense of Coach D is afraid of a hammer like Tim!

Playing offense, the Spurs have an advantage!

Bobo should have discovered this too!

Budenholzer looked at Bobo, who had been flustered to the extreme just now, so calm at this time, thinking about it, he already had a draft.

The reason why he panicked before was that he couldn't accept that he couldn't beat Coach D in the defensive battle.

It's been his lifelong basketball philosophy.

This is also what he has always considered to be the strongest and the most accomplished.

Such a precious thing was finally taken away by others, and he must be unwilling.

Therefore, in the case of not really losing, Bobo is definitely unwilling to give up.

At the very least, this game is a defensive heads-up between him and Coach D, and he is definitely the one who takes the initiative to admit it!

After figuring it out, Budenholzer accepted.

Then a new suggestion was given.

"Bobo, do you want to go to Tim now?"

"No, you don't."

Budenholzer was stunned again.

No, what are we doing with this suspension?

"Now we lose to Thiem, and if we don't play Thiem, we still have a chance to win."

Looking at the back of the original team on the field, Popovich was extremely determined.

"Mike, remember, in the future, play against Coach D, don't dance with Coach D, we can't do the 'Coach D plays Coach D, I play mine' like Monty, we don't have that kind of realm, but we can persevere, be confident, be calm, and that's very important."

Popovich is still in the mood to teach his disciples, which shows that Popovich is indeed a little calmer now.

However, after the game restarted, Popovich could not stand in front of the bench or sit in a chair, and once again crouched on the sidelines.

It can be seen that this is Bobo forcibly calming himself down.

On the other side, Du Kang, who was standing next to him, did not smile like before at this time, but kept applauding and encouraging the Lakers players on the court.

"Unbelievable game, after the timeout, both teams didn't make any substitutions!"

"Not only are there no substitutions, but even the style of play, there are no changes, so is Popovich's timeout just to encourage the Spurs players?"

"Maybe it's not to encourage the Spurs players, but to strengthen the confidence of the Spurs players, now the Spurs players on the court have no GDP, and there are no Stephen Jackson and Bowen, they have never played such a game, the offense has not been able to score, which will make them impatient, hoping to change the style of play and rhythm, but, such a defensive battle, the most taboo is to score, change their rhythm, Popovich's purpose of this pause, is to strengthen the Spurs players' style of play!"

The Lakers celebrities on the sidelines have already seen the possibility of the Lakers winning at this time, and as long as they stick to this section, the Lakers have a great chance of winning.

It's unimaginable!

Coach D can actually play a defensive battle, and Popovich and the Spurs are almost collapsed!

As these Lakers courtside celebrities speculated, Popovich's timeout this time was indeed to strengthen the Spurs' determination to defend.

We can't score, the Lakers can't score, it's true that we are behind and we need to score, but, believe in yourself, as long as we can let the other side not get a point, our score, sooner or later!

That's the essence of Popovich and the Spurs' defensive system.

The meaning of the opponent's not scoring is on top of his own score.

Or an offense for defense?

The older generation of Spurs players with GDP as the core can be said to have a deep understanding of this concept, but the new generation of Spurs players represented by Leonard are not too receptive to such basketball.

Especially Finsen.

Finsen really doesn't want to strike like this!

Leonard is trapped, he really wants to stand up!

Moreover, Leonard and the Spurs players also really hit the ball in his hands, hoping that he can step up.

However, to Finson's despair, he really couldn't shoot!

It's not his problem, the main thing is that the Lakers' defense is really fast, and these defensive players are really powerful!

So, after the timeout came back, the two teams played for more than 3 minutes, and then the score on the court at this time was still 70-66!

Bang dang!

Bang dang!

Bang dang!

The two teams are still playing like crazy!

"Oh my God, this game, it's unbelievable!"

Even O'Neill, Kenny Smith, these on-site commentators, were shocked.

They have seen a game of incomprehension, but they have never seen a game like this one, where the defense is so suffocating!

"Now the game time has entered the last six minutes, and after the timeout, Coach D did not replace Garnett and Barkley!"

"Oh my God! On the Spurs' side, Popovich didn't bring in Duncan either!!! ”

"Even, the two teams still haven't made substitutions!!"

The game played 6 minutes of official timeouts, and the players from both sides came back again, to O'Neal and their commentary, what shocked them was that there were still no substitutions on both sides!

And almost at the same time, the assistant coaches on both sides were loudly puzzled by the head coaches of both teams.

"Du!"

In the face of Hamm's shouting beside him, Du Kang clasped his hands to his chest and remained unmoved.

"Popovich certainly won't go up to Duncan."

Barkley rests as much as he can.

The last Garnett, it's better not to be.

As long as he doesn't play Garnett and Barkley first, Popovich certainly won't play Duncan.

Ever since he used his physical advantage to beat Duncan in the final game of the regular season, Popovich has had a psychological shadow.

Especially in this game, Garnett was in such good condition that Popovich didn't dare to let Duncan face Garnett at a physical disadvantage.

And on the Spurs bench, the same story is actually playing out.

"Mike, remember what I just said, against Coach D, you can't be in a hurry, you can't hold your breath, you have to stay calm and persistent, as long as you go out first, you, in front of Coach D, are already dead!"

“……”

Looking at Popovich, who gritted his teeth and insisted on pressing Duncan to the bench at this time, Budenholzer didn't even know what to say for a while.

Is it confusing to say that Bobo's operation?

The operation of Coach D on the other side is also very confusing.

Listen to the exclamations of the Lakers fans at the scene.

At this time, Lakers fans are probably already waiting for their D coach Garnett and Barkley to go up and harvest the game!

"Bobo, when are we going to be on Tim?"

"As long as Coach D goes to Garnett and Barkley, we'll go to Tim!"

Popovich said through gritted teeth.

At this point in time, there is indeed no problem, and there is no need to worry about any new conspiracy of Coach D.

But......

"What if Coach D doesn't stay on Garnett and Barkley?"

“……”

Popovich was silent for a moment, then said firmly.

"It can't be!"

It's really unlikely.

Because without Barkley and Garnett, the Spurs are the dominant side, the chasing side.

In this game, Leonard led the team and has chased it back I don't know how many times.

Only this time, there were some setbacks.

However, the advantage is still on the Spurs' side.

Therefore, after this timeout, the two teams did not make substitutions, and the most confused, the most puzzled, the most apprehensive, and the most disturbing were not the Spurs fans, but the Lakers fans.

The Lakers DJs at the scene had even blurted out excitedly.

"Great D coach, tell us, why don't you go to KG and Charles !!"

Not to mention the Lakers fans on the scene, the commentators, experts, and celebrities are very puzzled.

Obviously, Pierce dragged on to the last six minutes, and the Lakers still led by 4 points, and with Garnett and Barkley, the Lakers were stable in this game.

Coach D, why don't you go to these two!

So, next to Dukang, Nash, Hamm and Clifford were already anxious like ants on a hot pan.

Even Aunt Jenny, who has always been calm, is constantly pacing at this time, she doesn't dare to question Du Kang, he believes Du Kang, but she is really puzzled!

Du Kang, of course, knew that they were all puzzled right now.

Because, this is the most extreme operation!

In this game, he has been doing micro-manipulation, which is the limit of operation, and this time, it is the limit of the limit!

In the next six minutes, Garnett and Barkley will be a showdown!

Such a game, the intensity is already so great, do you know what the decisive battle means?

It means confrontation and attrition, and it will pull up another level!

After the decisive battle, the Lakers are indeed likely to win, but in the next game, Barkley will definitely not be able to play.

Duncan must have stormed the basket, and it must have been Barkley's side who stormed!

Barkley withstood the last six minutes, and his physical strength was going to be wasted, Olajuwon had to recover for three days to play such a game, and Barkley would take at least three days.

Now that Pierce has resisted, then, continue to top!

As long as he doesn't fall behind, he won't be on Barkley and Garnett!

As long as he doesn't play Garnett and Barkley, Popovich will definitely not dare to go to Duncan first.

Because from Popovich's point of view, Barkley, Garnett and Duncan are all on, the advantage is in the Lakers, and the Spurs are disadvantaged.

If Barkley, Garnett, and Duncan are not played, the advantage is in the Spurs.

Popovich would definitely like to see him not play Garnett and Barkley.

So, the key now is Pierce, can he withstand this game!

"Du, tell me, when are you willing to continue to play Charles and KG in this game!"

This time, Hamm was really in a hurry!

Because, the game is going on, and on the court, the Lakers are indeed at a disadvantage!

With 4 minutes left in the game, Leonard scored, after more than 6 minutes of scoring panic and more than 6 minutes without scoring for both teams!

On the court, the Spurs players are getting more and more anxious.

Leonard was in a hurry.

This time, before the bag was formed, Leonard was extremely unexpected, a little more than a step outside the three-point line, against Pierce's defense, and used his height advantage to pull out three points!

Brush it up!

Three-point hit!

Leonard rarely attacks like this!

But this time, it hit!

The Lakers fans at the scene were wailing!

And the commentators on the sidelines are roaring wildly!

"This is a superstar! That's superstar! Kawhi Leonard is undoubtedly already a superstar and superstar in the NBA!! ”

On the sidelines, Popovich stood up excitedly again, raised his fists, and ran around Coach D in celebration!

70 to 69!

The Lakers' lead is only 1 point left!

"Coach, let's change people!!"

Nash felt like he was going to kneel!

Du Kang didn't say anything this time, but looked at Pierce on the field with a smile.

The Pierce who didn't know how much iron he had hit in the past 6 minutes or didn't get a point.

Pierce also noticed Du Kang's kind gaze and smile.

I'm not Kobe Bryant, and I'm not Jordan......

The Spurs' bag is still too strong......

But......

The coach didn't blame me!

Still encouraging me!

"Paul, can you tell me, what was your dream of playing basketball as a child?"

"Play a basketball game like Jordan!"

"Well, good dreams, and, you, can!"

The confused look in his eyes dissipated again.

Pierce shook his head.

Du Kang smiled and nodded.

"Don't change!"

What?!

Nash is really crazy!

Even Popovich is stupid!

Dukang, on the other hand, yelled at Pierce on the pitch.

"Paul, Jordan never doubted the basketball in his hand!"

Jordan never doubted the basketball in his hand!

Pierce was stunned and smiled.

Leonard, who was next to Pierce, looked sideways and was stunned.

And the commentary seats, Staples, in front of the TV, the whole NBA world, including Jordan in front of the TV, all, stupid!

"OMG!! Looking at this stance, Coach D is not even ready to play Garnett and Barkley in the next game!!! ”

"Wade, Seth Curry, KG, Barkley, all let go, in Coach D's mind, Popovich and Spurs, what the hell are !!!"

"Crazy! Lose your marbles!! Lose your marbles!!! ”

Crazy indeed!

(End of chapter)