June 6, Chesapeake Center Arena.
In the G6 game of the 2012 Western Conference Finals, the Thunder returned to their home court, hoping to turn a two-for-three match into a two-for-four match and win the Western Conference championship and tickets to the Finals.
Before the game, media opinion was overwhelmingly optimistic that the Thunder would advance in four consecutive games, giving them an 82% winning rate.
Thunder eight, Spurs two! !
"The Spurs look like a Western Conference Finals-level team, but they are his opponents, but the Thunder are a Finals team. This team is full of talent. It's time to bring their talent to the Finals." The stage..."
However, as the first quarter began, the Spurs looked more like a team that wanted to advance to the Finals, while the Thunder did not.
“Too hard!!
This tenacity is incredible!
Never underestimate championship aspirations, especially when the team is named the Spurs.
They're so good at making the playoffs..."
The Spurs still use the starting lineup that lost in the G5 game, which is Duncan, Diaw, Leonard, Ginobili, and Parker.
Ginobili continued to be promoted to the starting lineup, and Yaodao did not live up to the team's trust in him.
He showed confidence in winning in the first attack. After taking the ball and taking a step forward as a three-point threat, he saw Su Bei guarding his breakthrough and immediately raised his hand and hit a three-pointer...
Swish——!
3 to 0! !
Next, it was Parker's performance moment, playing pick-and-rolls with Duncan continuously, then splitting the ball and assisting Duncan to hit two consecutive mid-range points.
“The Spurs played it too easy!
There is no other way!
The Spurs shot the ball so well tonight..."
Princeton tactics, they seemed to be too lazy to run anymore, and played a simple pick-and-roll tactics.
After the dislocation, the player then took a decisive mid-range shot.
Attacking is a time-saving and effort-saving method.
After losing their championship-level defense, this Spurs team became a jump-shooting team.
When Duncan made consecutive hits and the Thunder turned their defense back to Duncan, Parker used the pick-and-roll tactics to continue playing music, and then took a mid-range shot...
Swish——!
…
Swish——!
What is the accuracy of CIC?
Parker is called a mid-range shot.
In the first quarter of the game, Parker was on fire, playing like a superstar. He made 7 of 10 shots, 1 of 1 three-pointers, and 2 of 3 free throws. He scored 17 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist in a single quarter. What do you get? Come to support?
You can't stand it.
Westbrook got lost in the Spurs' pick-and-roll tactics, and was shown nowhere by Parker, leaving him with nowhere to put his power.
He only made 3 of 6 shots, 2 of 2 free throws, 8 points, 2 assists and 2 rebounds.
However, Westbrook still had the best performance in terms of statistics in the first quarter.
“The Thunder are thinking too much!
They paid the price for their youth, thinking that after winning three consecutive games, the Spurs' mentality would collapse and the Thunder would easily defeat their opponents.
Unexpectedly, the Spurs fought harder and dared to show their swords.
On the contrary, the Thunder, who wanted to win but were afraid of losing, played timidly and were completely out of their usual rhythm and state. "
"Du Shao, Westbrook, Ha Shao who came on the bench, and Yi Shao...
The so-called four Thunder players all made mistakes in the first quarter, and the Spurs only made one mistake.
Moreover, taking advantage of the Thunder's mistakes, the Spurs scored 3 goals in four opportunities. The conversion of scoring opportunities was too efficient.
However, Su Bei, the only one with multiple championship experience, has disappeared..."
Blame me?
Su Bei was helpless.
Offensively, both Westbrook and Du Shao have a strong desire to perform individually. If they want to be the hero who leads the team to the finals, Subei will never touch basketball.
Defensively, the Spurs play a very simple style, all pick-and-roll tactics, and focus on Duncan and Parker.
Regardless of whether it was Ibaka or Westbrook, both were helpless against Duncan and Parker's unsolvable pick-and-roll tactics.
In addition to Parker making 7 of 10 shots, Duncan also made 3 of 5 shots. The two scored 23 points together. How can he defend? Why not become invisible?
Durant helped defend, but Parker passed the ball and Leonard also hit a three-point jumper.
There are medium and long distances, and it is impossible to defend against it. This is no longer a problem of being too weak personally or tactically, but of being too strong and too unsolvable.
In the first quarter of the game, the Spurs made 4 of 6 three-point shots. Whether it was a three-pointer or a two-pointer, the shooting percentage was frighteningly high.
After the first quarter, the Thunder were beaten to a pulp. The Spurs relied on jump shot tactics to lead 34-20.
At the end of the first quarter, the Thunder trailed by 14 points!
And this is not the scariest thing. After all, the Spurs have a very tough offense, which the Thunder have experienced very well.
But the Spurs don't have enough staying power, which is something the Thunder have experienced in situations where they were chasing two and three.
However, during the rotation in the second quarter, the Thunder were unable to recover the point difference. Instead, the Spurs expanded the score.
Parker lost his superstar status in the first quarter, but the Thunder didn't know it. They knew it and didn't dare to let it go, allowing Parker to easily attract the defense and deliver firepower to his teammates.
“The Spurs bench did a great job!
Wu Sheng Jackson played the role the Spurs wanted him to play, making 3 of 3 shots, 3 of 3 three-pointers, and scored 9 points and 1 rebound in a single quarter.
Gary Neal also shot well, making 2 of 3 shots, 1 of 2 three-pointers, 1 of 1 free throws, and also scored 6 points.
With the two big gangsters and the combined output of GDP scoring 14 points, the Spurs continued to have more firepower in the rotation battle..."
After the second quarter, the Spurs beat the Thunder with a score of 29-28.
At the end of the first half, the score was 63 to 48. The Spurs turned away and entered the locker room to rest with a 15-point lead.
Su Bei made 0 of 1 shots in the first quarter and was lonely!
There were more opportunities in the second quarter. He made 3 of 3 shots and 2 of 2 three-pointers. He scored 8 points in a single quarter. His performance was just okay.
It's just a pity that the Spurs' defensive tactics failed. Maybe, very likely, the Thunder also like this situation.
The question is that the Thunder have fallen into various individual singles situations again.
The Thunder basically had no assists and no longer played as a team.
There is no longer the overall atmosphere of giving way to the second team and chasing the third team. If there is, it is the atmosphere and rhythm of the second team. The team offense has been cut into various individual singles.
However, Du Shao and Westbrook enjoyed it very much, thinking that they could solve the Spurs with their personal abilities.
The Spurs put away the complex and "no wait" Princeton system, and only played simple and labor-saving pick-and-roll tactics and simple breakthrough points. Then, they put the remaining energy into defense and put the Thunder into infinite trouble. In singles mode.
This is called experience!
The Thunder didn't even bother to copy what they had done in front of them to win.
You deserve to be stuck in a traffic jam, why should you drive a Mazda when you have nothing to do?
I bother!
…
After 15 minutes of rest and recuperation, the game came back in the second half. Both teams started with their main players, then played music, and then played again.
Thunder possession.
“Westbrook brings the ball downfield and continues to be his brash guy.
Parker fought and retreated, waiting for his teammates to shrink and help defend.
Westbrook dribbled the ball up to meet the man... No, half way up, he didn't shoot, but distributed the basketball to the right three-point corner, which makes sense.
The Thunder, which was 15 points behind, needed to grab a three-pointer. Su Bei received the ball. When he was free, he lifted the ball and hit Ginobili who flew back. He turned around and dribbled the ball in, went to the basket, rushed to the basket and shot... "
Boom, swish—!
Su Bei did not gamble on three-point shooting, but scored two points steadily.
63 to 50! !
The score difference became 13 points.
“Very nice!!
Whether it's Su Bei's steady play or Westbrook's reasonable play, the Thunder look different.
They played better as a team.
This is the Thunder's formula for making two-and-three successful.
Next, it depends on whether the Spurs can control the situation?
They got the start, and the most important thing is whether they can take advantage of this score advantage and hold on to it..."
Off the court, Bo Povich had a calm face.
Now he is taking the initiative to attack the Spurs and the Thunder are regaining their winning rhythm, and he is not panicking.
On the court, Parker controlled the ball and advanced.
There is no rush in the frontcourt.
Basketball, it’s similar to Landlords. There’s no point in delaying time?
It was just helpless oral pleasure.
Parker directly consumed the time until the last 7 seconds, and then started a pick-and-roll tactic with Duncan.
"At 21 seconds into the attack time, Duncan misplaced Westbrook's block and shot a two-point jumper..."
Faced with this misplaced shot, Westbrook could only listen to the gunshot.
Bang-dang——!
The opportunity came, but Duncan's mid-range shot failed.
"The basketball shot missed!
The Spurs obviously pressed the attack time, and the rhythm was not at the original shooting rhythm.
What we are playing is no longer basketball, but experience..."
With the help of Cardiff Ibaka, Su Bei got the rebound and immediately dribbled the ball forward.
Ginobili pressed hard, but Su Bei made no waves and distributed the ball to Westbrook to continue to speed up and use his physical talent.
The Spurs stalled for time, and the Thunder grabbed time.
However, the Spurs anticipated the Thunder's move and replaced Parker to press Westbrook.
"Westbrook is not used to Parker. He dribbles the ball like a bulldozer, running over Parker and pushing forward..."
And this was exactly what the Spurs wanted. The pocket defense immediately surrounded Westbrook.
Westbrook went in, but couldn't shoot out.
No choice, give the ball to Durant and reorganize.
Leonard immediately rushed over and entangled Durant with death entanglement, regardless of physical strength.
“This is the Spurs’ strength and familiar defensive rhythm.
Time ran out bit by bit, and Durant chose to break through. The Spurs immediately let Ibaka and Perkins go, pounced on Durant, and used a pinch tactic.
Durant meets the man?
What the hell?
Halfway through the fight, teammates thought Durant was going to shoot, but they didn’t expect it, but it was an agreed-upon shot, and they stopped shooting halfway through…”
This ball selection is very reasonable!
But his teammates obviously couldn't get it.
One AM and one FM are not on the same channel.
Ibaka was facing the basket, blocking the position to grab the basketball, and was ready for a second follow-up shot. Durant rushed forward, but was not decisive enough. He was hesitant. Halfway through the game, he wanted to rest for a while and chose to distribute the ball.
As a result, Ibaka encountered the basketball, and because he was not prepared, he received it shaky, and then was snatched away by Duncan.
Okay, okay, what's the point of taking a break?
Hong Kong, Durant is still not tough enough!
The ball fell into the hands of the Spurs, who continued to stall for time.
It’s so obscene that you don’t need it!
Westbrook didn't like him and immediately rushed over to press him. Parker didn't panic and passed the ball to Ginobili. Su Bei also pressed. It's just that Ginobili's game is very bad. You can call him smart. He actually wanted to make Su Bei Fortunately, Su Bei braked in time for the foul and Su Bei didn't stumble.
"Ginobili's shooting action was halfway done, so he could only continue to perform it, finish the unfinished shooting action, and shoot a three-point pull-up jumper..."
Su Bei raised his hands straight up, not giving Ginobili an excuse to foul. If he made a three-pointer, he would have to admit it.
Bang-dang——!
Ginobili's three-point shot missed.
"If the rest of the Thunder were to defend, they would have suffered Ginobili's loss and would have given Ginobili three free throw opportunities in vain.
Su Bei is different. Their experience is no worse than Ginobili's. Ginobili's offense was in vain and the opportunity to delay time was lost.
It’s just something that data can’t reflect…”
Outside the court, Scott Brooks rushed to the court to applaud.
Very satisfied with Subei's defense just now.
If Ginobili is allowed to act and get a free throw opportunity, the Thunder's morale in counterattack will be greatly damaged.
Next, the Thunder's offense.
It was Westbrook's breakthrough, and Parker couldn't withstand it either.
At this time, Ginobili did not dare to leave Su Bei open and asked Duncan on the inside to help defend.
“Westbrook passes the ball to Ibaka!
Instead of playing, he distributed the ball to Durant, who came in through an air cut. He took the ball in the penalty area, jumped up, and was about to hit the basket.
Duncan didn't jump and didn't dare to give a 2+1 chance. He could only watch Durant hit the basket..."
Bang-dang——!
One-handed dunk, two points scored.
63 to 52! !
Durant's goal changed the point difference to 11 points.
At this time, the Thunder's offense was gaining momentum, but the Spurs were still in no hurry.
Keep stalling for time.
Westbrook was anxious and made a move during the press, but was called for a defensive foul.
"The Spurs are too lazy!
There is no choice. Their core lineup is aging, and the role players are young and have no immediate combat effectiveness.
Playing against the Thunder is no different from seeking death. Continuing to attack will only consume too much physical energy, and you will not even be able to care about defense.
Put away the offense, focus on defense, control the rhythm of the game in your own hands, and maybe you can keep the advantage until the end..."
Too much time wasted, and the offense became rough.
Parker handed the basketball to Diaw. Diaw obviously hesitated, but Perkins completed a close confrontation. Seeing that there was not much attack time, he tried to force a shot, but was blocked and intercepted.
"On the Thunder's counterattack opportunity, Perkins stole the ball and immediately threw the basketball to the front court.
Westbrook showed his abnormal physical athletic ability, quickly rushed to the frontcourt, got the basketball, took a step from the free throw line, jumped up, and used an ornamental tomahawk dunk to complete the counterattack and score..."
Bang-dang——!
Westbrook counterattacked and scored two points.
63 to 54! !
The point difference became 9 points! !
The Spurs were still in no hurry and continued to bide their time.
Hong Kong, a Spurs player, has really strong execution ability.
There is no use delaying time. The Thunder's offense succeeded continuously, but the Spurs continued to resolutely implement the coach's tactical arrangements.
Then, as the time dragged on to the final countdown seconds, Parker and Duncan played a pick-and-roll tactic, entered the paint, and under Ibaka's block at the buzzer, completed an emergency two-point jumper...
Bang-dang——!
"still none!!
The Spurs' unanswerable jump shots in the first half were gone.
The Thunder's rebound is an opportunity to continue chasing points..."
Next, although Westbrook felt that he was good again, the zombie jumper missed.
On the contrary, it was the Spurs' offense that finally, finally got off to a wild start.
However, the Spurs' wretched style of stalling for time and pressing the tempo still didn't work.
The offense is basically useless.
On the contrary, the Thunder team was relaxed, full of impact, and played more team basketball.
Westbrook didn't waste any more time, broke through and scored, assisting Ibaka to score.
Subsequently, Durant broke through, passed the ball to Su Bei at the three-point line, and hit a three-pointer with Ginobili's block.
Swish——!
…
Swish——!
…
The Thunder started the second half with an unstoppable offense. In order to buy time, the Spurs used their offensive skills to waste their time. They couldn't attack and couldn't defend. The Thunder hit a 14-4 shock wave and stopped the game.
At this time, only 5 minutes into the third quarter, the score was 67 to 62. The Thunder went from 15 points behind to only 5 points behind.
The suspense of the game seems to be still there, but the direction of the wind has turned towards the Thunder.
Bo Povich started the game in the first half and closed the lead in the second half, which seemed reasonable, but basketball is not about counting.
He guessed the beginning correctly, but failed to calculate that the Spurs' delaying efficiency was so poor. However, they also lost their own offensive status, which was simply annoying.
…
(End of chapter)
