Two Hundred and Sixty-Eight: Stronger Spurs

Tim Duncan's behavior before the game made people in the commentary and in the stands laugh, but Hollins couldn't laugh. Duncan's relaxed state is not because he underestimates the enemy, but indicates that his physical condition is very good!

Otherwise, Duncan is absolutely expressionless. It is precisely because of his good physical condition that Duncan has more and more funny moments this year. After all, he is in a good mood.

"After this damn game, we're going to fucking go home. I know you guys are working hard, and I know that at least 90% of the people in the stands now want to watch us go home crying. But as long as Bite tonight and it's over! The San Antonio Spurs aren't terrible, last season they won No. 1 in the Western Conference and we beat him. Take it easy, play as usual and we'll get our chance."

Before the game, Hollins spoke briefly, mostly to boost morale.

The Grizzlies players are already very motivated to play against the Spurs, and being encouraged by this is undoubtedly adding fuel to the fire. The starters of both sides stepped into the court, and this was considered by Hollins to be the most important game before the All-Star Game, and it was about to start!

"Players from both sides played, the Spurs started as usual, Tony Parker and Leonard played guards, and Richard Jefferson, who was recently caught up in trade rumors, continued to sit firmly at the 3. Duncan and Brazil center Tee Yago Splitter with the inside. This year the Spurs got to No. 2 in the Western Conference with that starting lineup, and they're stronger than anyone imagined."

Steve Kerr introduced the Spurs' starting lineup, which looked the same as last year, except that Ginobili was replaced by Leonard. Replaced McDyess and Blair with Split. These two new starters are young, but the Spurs are much stronger than last season, which is their magic.

Otherwise, the Spurs are the best place for rookies to grow.

On the other hand, the Grizzlies' starter is the same as it was last night against the Celtics. Conley, Link, Gay and the Black and White Bears, not surprisingly, Hollins generally does not change his starting lineup.

Although Duncan is playing No. 4 today, he still stands in the middle circle, and he will compete with Pau Gasol for the ball!

"Steve, who do you think will win tonight? The Spurs have beaten the Grizzlies twice before, the most recent one happened more than a week ago. In that game, the Spurs won the Grizzlies by 10 points and beat the Grizzlies by 10 points. The team's score is limited to 90 points. It can be seen that the Spurs have a lot of experience in restraining the Grizzlies this year. So today, can the Grizzlies find a solution to the problem?"

"The first thing the Grizzlies have to think about is how to get off to a solid start. They played against the Celtics yesterday, and then they were on a three-hour plane and played back-to-back. So today's game,

It's going to be a very long time for the Grizzlies. Therefore, they have to go step by step. " Kerr didn't answer his partner's question directly. In his opinion, it's too early for the Grizzlies to think about winning.

What's more... The Grizzlies are still entwined with the curse of inability to win.

Now what the Grizzlies should be thinking about is, how can they not be smashed by the Spurs in the first quarter.

Pau Gasol took the lead in jumping basketball for the Grizzlies, and Popovich immediately waved from the sidelines, signaling the players to retreat immediately.

The Spurs have a lot of experience in defense. The Black and White Bears just sat in the inside, Duncan found Gasol Jr., and Splitt posted behind Randolph.

This year, the Spurs' interior defense has clearly improved a lot. Last season, the inside combination of McDyess and Duncan lost to the Black and White Bears, especially the old McDyess's side would be even worse.

After Popovich promoted the Brazilian this year, the Spurs' efficiency in defending the Grizzlies quickly rose. Split is very good in single defense and assist defense. His height can suppress Randolph. Although Randolph has comprehensive skills and flexible footsteps, Split is not slow. He always has a way to keep his position. Randolph's body was firmly stuck in the whole process.

As for Duncan's defense against Gasol on the other side, it's even more handy. Duncan is getting older and slower, but Gasol is not fast either. Duncan can just use his superb defensive skills to torture the Spanish homeless. Moreover, the little Gasol's scoring ability is not strong at all, and if Duncan is strictly guarded, it will be even more difficult to score.

The Spurs' change in this regard has made the Grizzlies' offensive threat plummet. Lost to the Spurs in the first two games, the Black and White Bears did not show too amazing performance. As it turns out, Popovich's change was correct.

So today, seeing the Spurs stand up to the black and white bears as soon as they came up, Hollins was quite worried.

Conley naturally understood the Spurs' strategy, so in the end, the basketball was not played by the black and white bears. Gay handled the first offense with the ball, and his mid-range jumper hit Richard Jefferson with ease, giving the Grizzlies a close start.

Although the first to concede a goal, but the Spurs players did not seem nervous. They still believe that the situation is firmly in their hands.

Playing the Grizzlies now, the Spurs' self-confidence is overwhelming.

Then in the Spurs' offensive round, Gay actively stole the basketball in Duncan's hands, and then personally held the ball to advance, one-stop layup, and the Grizzlies made a 4-0 start!

Everyone on the Grizzlies bench cheered, the Grizzlies are in such good shape, it's time for them to beat the Spurs today!

Gay, who even scored 4 points, was also very proud. After he made a layup, he slammed his fist.

At a critical moment in the last game, Gay was replaced by Jimmy Butler, and the Grizzlies won the game. For the stars, it is undoubtedly a shame that the team is not trusted at the last moment and the team still wins.

So today, Guy is trying his best to prove himself. In the first two rounds, he played very aggressively.

Gay himself is not weak, as long as he wants to play the game well, he can still show excellent performance. What's more, Guy's counterpoint is still Richard.ATM.Jefferson.

Link was also very relieved that they finally didn't have to be beaten by the Spurs. What a curse that can't win streak, it's just a fart!

After being beaten 4-0 by the Grizzlies, Popovich remained calm. He sat on the bench and didn't even bother to pat his hands. He still believes that the Spurs players can solve problems on their own.

Last year's series loss to the Grizzlies made Popovich really frustrated. As a result, he spent a lot of energy this offseason trying to find a way to contain the Grizzlies.

Looking at Popovich's calm face, Link recalled that in the original history, since the Spurs had been beaten by the Grizzlies once, the Spurs had abused the Grizzlies almost every time they saw them. The Spurs beat the Grizzlies, and the Grizzlies were beaten to the death every time.

That being said, Popovich did find a lot of ways to contain the Grizzlies. Using Split and Duncan to kill the black and white bears is just one of the tricks.

Finally, the Grizzlies attacked for the third time, and the Spurs did not fall off the chain again.

Link tried hard to seek opportunities on the outside, but he was always followed by the expressionless "future warrior"!

One thing Link has to admit is that even in his rookie season, Leonard's defense was already excellent! Better than Jimmy Butler!

His wingspan and big hands make him a unique defensive weapon. And Leonard's concentration on the defensive end is unmatched by other rookies.

Leonard wrapped around Link, and Link was unable to escape at all! It is not easy to "escape" Leonard's defensive range.

Popovich couldn't help laughing smugly when he saw Link couldn't even shake his shot. Black and White Bears and Link, the three culprits that led to the Spurs' loss last season, have all been contained this year. It's no coincidence that the Grizzlies lost to the Spurs twice this season!

In the end, Conley had to attack by himself, but his jumper was inaccurate, the Spurs had a chance, and the Grizzlies failed to continue their firepower!

"Damn it!" Link cursed unwillingly in his heart, Leonard's talent was indeed terrifying. It's incredible that he would drop to No. 15.

Tony Parker gets the ball and moves quickly, and since last season, Popovich has been committed to making the Spurs an offensive team. That's why, last season, Parker and Ginobili suddenly became the core of scoring.

And this year, the Spurs' transformation has become more mature, and everyone can quickly jump into the offense.

The entire Spurs' offensive advancement speed is very fast, which deviates from ordinary people's inherent impression of them.

In the final year with the Pistons, the Spurs averaged only 91 points per game. And this season. The Spurs are averaging 103 points!

While Parker is advancing, outside shooters are also in place. The French "retro sports car" broke the ball, made an easy pass, and found Richard Jefferson in the vacancy.

Hollins was stunned by the speed at which the Spurs' perimeter shooters were clustered. Not the same, this Spurs are really different!

Jefferson was so annoyed by Guy's beating that he wanted to fight back. He catches and shoots without hesitation. This kind of consistent shooting is precisely the highest hit rate!

"brush!"

Richard Jefferson smiled and showed three fingers. His three-point shooting has improved a lot! So far this season, the three-point shooting rate has not dropped below 40%!

"The ball went in, from Tony Parker and Richard Jefferson. Although the Grizzlies took the lead with two goals, the Spurs fought back quickly. Now, the Grizzlies are only 1 point ahead!"

Link shook his head. The Spurs had already gone through the transition period they experienced last season, and they will now be madly heading for another small peak.

The smooth start at the beginning is just an illusion, and the real darkest moment officially begins.