It is said that the first few rounds can best reveal the intentions of both coaches.
The Clippers' intentions are clear and they no longer pass the game like they did in the regular season.
Instead, it started with a more secure pick-and-roll, with Baron Davis in possession of the ball and Curido without the ball.
Curry's penetration with the ball, Ricky Davis and Randolph's inside cuts are all important tactical methods.
The target is the Spurs' lack of strength to protect the rim and the lack of a strong defensive forward in pick-and-roll defense.
For Parker and George Hill in the backcourt, Ricky Davis' supplementary defense was used to interfere, and the effect was good.
When retreating, he still maintains the habit of retreating and does not give the Spurs a chance to hit the basket.
As for leaving the flank to you, just leave it to you. You are just Jefferson. I don’t believe you can kill me.
The Spurs' arrangement looks much more casual, with the same old rotation on the defensive end.
However, the Spurs' starting lineup has average defensive capabilities, especially Jefferson at the third position.
Jefferson is very active, and his one-on-one defensive ability is still good, but he doesn't quite meet the Spurs' requirements.
The lateral movement is not enough, the wingspan is not long, and in this relatively small lineup, the defensive comprehensiveness is insufficient.
According to Popovich's ideal, they should have a Pippen-like figure at the third position who can take care of both inside and outside.
Parker and George Hill in the backcourt are both small and short, resulting in insufficient defensive strength.
So why did Curry feel like he was getting in casually without much intensity when the first quarter started.
As for the offense, the Spurs followed the regular season's fast offense.
Once the defense is successful, try to increase the speed and launch a quick counterattack. There are not many ways to attack the position.
Not long into the first quarter, McDyess missed a mid-range jumper after two pick-and-rolls.
In addition to the fact that veteran McDyess is in average condition, it is also because the Spurs' offense in this position has no rhythm.
If you rely on a veteran to throw the least efficient mid-range throw, it shows that there are not many ways to attack the position.
No wonder Dunleavy just said a few words during the short pause, because there was nothing to say, just play according to the plan.
After the timeout, the Clippers immediately scored. After Curry made a double screen pick-and-roll from the outside, he pulled up from the three-point line and shot, and he hit the three-pointer accurately!
As soon as Min Congda saw Curry throw in a three-pointer, his heart skipped a beat. This kid looked like he was in good shape tonight.
Immediately following the positional attack, the Spurs continued to go around the screen, pass the ball, go around the screen, and finally gave McDyess a mid-range jumper...
The Spurs could not find an absolute strong point in their positional offense to penetrate the Clippers' defense.
The Clippers' defensive strategy is very clear. After the pick-and-roll, they retreat to the basket.
The outside players follow up very well. If you make a mid-range shot, you have made a good shot.
McDyess still missed from mid-range, and Randolph firmly controlled the rebound.
The Clippers counterattacked. Baron Davis advanced unhurriedly and suddenly pulled up from the free throw line to shoot a mid-range jumper and hit!
At 9:9, the Clippers easily evened the point difference.
George Hill's defense is good, but Davis is experienced.
For this ball, he used his body to push away Hill, shot from the front, and made a steady shot.
The Clippers players' offense looks simple and easy, while the Spurs' positional battle is much more difficult.
Duncan was once their all-conquering weapon. Most of the time in positional battles, just give him the ball and that's it.
In this game, Duncan hasn't even had a single in the low post yet, and he still comes out to cover for Parker.
Parker drove to the basket for a layup, and the ball circled around the basket twice.
On the Clippers' side, Curry passed a 45-degree pass from the left to Randolph in the ribs, and immediately went to the baseline and cut to the basket.
Randolph passed the ball behind his head to Curry. Curry slipped through the back door and caught the ball for an easy layup.
Min Congda just wanted to curse when he saw such a ball. In a playoff game, can you let your opponent play such an easy air-cut cooperation?
Are these still Spurs? Is this still the same team in black that defends tough?
Min Congda felt something was wrong. Wasn't this something right?
"It's okay, it's okay. In the first quarter of this first game, the Spurs must not have entered the state yet. The first in the Western Conference, the experienced team, has experienced so many storms, how can the Cricket Clippers overthrow you so easily? Let me give you a hand first!”
"The Spurs need to adjust soon. Adjust your defense. Let's bring in Split, a big man!"
Min Chongda hopes that the Spurs can play in Split, and it is really too much for Duncan to rely on himself at the basket.
Min Congda could tell that Duncan was in average condition, moving slowly and reacting half a beat slower.
The Spurs finally passed the ball to Duncan during the offense and asked him to hit the ball in the low post.
However, Gasol blocked Duncan with his back, and it was difficult for Duncan to get in a good position.
He can only catch the ball in a shallow position, and uses the skillful Sigma step to rush from behind and make a frontal hook.
But Gasol defended the ball very well and missed the hook. Ricky Davis got the backboard.
The ball was given to Curry, who quickly advanced. After relying on Randolph's screen at the top of the arc, he made a mid-range jumper and hit!
The Clippers' quick counterattack is like a sickle cutting leeks. They don't attack the basket and don't need much coordination.
Curry and Davis seized the opportunity to shoot mid-range jumpers, but the Spurs had nothing to do with the shots.
Their strategy of quickly returning to defense is to defend the basket and the wings, but not the mid-range. Whoever retreats mainly defends the mid-range.
But the Clippers' two guards are very capable of suddenly pulling up and throwing away while marching.
After returning from the timeout, the Clippers stunned the Spurs with an 8-0 run.
In fact, not only the Spurs were confused, but the Clippers players were also a little confused.
what's the situation? Is this the playoffs? Is this number one in the West? Is this the San Antonio Spurs?
Curry still remembers last year's first-round game against the Lakers, and the first game was tough at Staples.
They were all crushed by the Lakers, the intensity of the game, the concentration of the Lakers' defense, and all kinds of details.
It can be said that every detail of the Lakers' offense and defense is putting pressure on the Clippers players.
Curry truly feels what the playoffs are and what championship-level defensive intensity is.
You really need to concentrate on every dribble breakthrough, and you have to give your best every time you take a shot.
It wasn't until the fourth game that Curry gradually adapted. Then Min Congda gave new tactical advice, catching the Clippers off guard.
Before this game, Dunleavy prepared three plans to deal with possible bad situations on the court.
On the one hand, the Clippers players were a little nervous, and on the other hand, they were still feeling awkward about losing to the Grizzlies in the last game of the regular season and falling to eighth place, so everyone's morale was not very high.
But as he fought, Curry was the first to realize that he was probably wrong, very wrong.
"How can I doubt Smart? He is right. The Spurs seem to be really easy to beat. They are really easy to beat!"
The Spurs are like the donkey that met the tiger. They temporarily frightened the tiger with their large size and braying.
However, once the tiger comes to his senses, what awaits the donkey is the fate of being easily torn into pieces.
"Holy crap, what are you hitting on those damn spurs? Make adjustments quickly. These are not spurs, they're all spurs!"
(End of chapter)
