frightfiction Chapter 546 The gap is too big, there's nothing we can do.
Chapter 546 The gap is too big, there's nothing we can do.
At halftime, the score was 48-60, with the gap widening to 12 points.
Aside from a brief lead in the opening minutes, the Spurs were unable to catch up after being overtaken, and the score gradually widened.
During this period, Popovich worked tirelessly, devising numerous strategies and employing various lineups, making many adjustments to address the Clippers' weakness in the paint. However, the gap in overall strength between the two teams was simply too large. The Spurs lacked explosiveness on the perimeter and had poor scoring ability, making it extremely difficult for them to catch up once they fell behind.
Compared to Li, who was clueless about adapting to changing circumstances and relied on "openly outdated management," Popovich was far superior. However, even for a coach of Popovich's caliber, it's unlikely that he could turn the tide when the team's lineup was completely outmatched by other players, relying solely on lineup and matchup techniques. It's like a child fighting an adult. Even if the child has mastered Shaolin Kung Fu, a single close-range control move from the adult would be enough to defeat them. In the face of absolute power, any technique becomes pale and ineffective, instantly turning into empty showmanship.
This is why NBA teams value superstars so much. In a basketball game where a team is only allowed to field five players, the impact of superstars is obvious. The difference between superstars and coaches often exceeds the difference between coaches.
In today's small-ball league, it's very difficult for a team without a three-point shot to win. When you face a team with five outside shooters, it's also very painful to play with two towers. Between getting shot down and you killing their inside game, there may be a third way, but this way is more advantageous to the stronger side.
Intermission.
"Mr. Su, the Spurs were down by 12 points in the first half. What do you think they need to do in the second half to catch up?" Wang Zixing asked.
Su Qun adjusted his glasses and replied, "The Spurs have very limited room for adjustment. Their outside shooting isn't accurate enough, which means that even with their height advantage in the paint, they can't make the Clippers pay the price with their collapse and zone defense. Only when their outside shooting gets going can their inside advantage be amplified, and then there's still a sliver of a chance to catch up."
The third quarter began quickly.
The Clippers initiated the attack.
Beverley dribbled over and immediately passed the ball to Jia Fei.
Jia Fei, holding the ball and facing Forbes, made a crossover step and drove inside, changing direction as he went to get past Poeltl, who was helping him defend, and then faked out Poeltl in the air before pulling up for a layup!
48:62, a difference of 14 points!
With the added space in the five-forward lineup, Jia Fei can really dominate against teams that lack strong defensive players.
On offense, DeRozan set a screen and mismatched against Gallinari, hitting a jump shot in response.
Clippers offense, Jia Fei dribbled the ball against Forbes, but was double-teamed and passed to Paul George at the top of the arc. George faked a shot and drove inside, but his layup was contested and missed!
But Jia Fei scored with a one-handed putback dunk! 50:64, still a 14-point difference!
The Spurs fought back tenaciously, with Aldridge hitting a difficult jump shot, making it 52-64!
Jia Fei dribbled over and held the ball at the top of the arc!
With a double screen at the top of the arc, Jia Fei suddenly changed direction and drove in, taking off with a step and performing a fake dunk and real layup move that Jordan did back in the day, showcasing his hang time to the fullest!
That shot was absolutely stunning. The big screen played the slow-motion replay of the shot over and over again; the elegant move was breathtaking.
Lin Ning stood up from her seat. That shot was amazing! She couldn't help but scream. Luckily, there were many screams from the crowd, otherwise she would have been too embarrassed to handle the situation.
52:66, still a 14-point difference!
On the Spurs' offense, Aldridge overpowered Gallinari, but after being double-teamed, he passed the ball to DeRozan on the weak side.
DeRozan doesn't shoot a three-pointer, he passes to Mills instead!
Mills took a jump shot, but missed!
Olynyk grabbed the rebound and passed it to Jia Fei!
Jia Fei launched a counter-attack with the ball. While moving forward, Sam Gold dribbled past Forbes and then passed the ball without looking to Paul George on the other side, who was faster!
Pickled pepper catches the ball and takes off, followed by a windmill dunk, pushing the excitement of the crowd to a fever pitch...
52:68, a difference of 16 points!
Popovich calls a timeout!
Staples Center was ablaze; the atmosphere was electrifying, a testament to the incredible basketball spirit here. This is the effect of a big city—those who come to watch games are all wealthy and influential. This arena has been featured more times than any other basketball fan in the US this season.
"As long as the Spurs miss their shots and can't grab the rebounds, the Clippers will speed up their offense and launch fast breaks. Teams with twin towers really have a problem getting back on defense!" Wang Zixing exclaimed.
Su Qun nodded: "In the current NBA league, many teams don't play with two big men for defensive reasons. Two big men are slow to get back on defense and can't run fast breaks. In half-court sets, they can't spread the floor because most teams don't have three-pointers. That's why the lineup of one big man and four small men or even five big men is popular."
After the timeout, the Spurs still couldn't solve their defensive problems, and Popovich had to take one center out and play a big man and four small men.
But you'll have a hard time beating the Clippers with a small lineup, as their perimeter defense is among the best in the league.
The Spurs had no answer and were dominated by the Clippers until the end of the game.
Ultimately, the Clippers easily defeated the Spurs 95-110 at home, securing their first victory in this season's playoffs.
贾飞全场贡献32分10个篮板11次助攻4个抢断2个盖帽的三双，帮助球队拿到首胜。
The series score is now 1-0, but there wasn't much discussion about the game afterward, less than a tenth of the Clippers' record of 75 wins. There's no way around it; this series was simply too predictable, even with Gregg Popovich as the Spurs' head coach.
Unless Jia Fei and DeRozan switch teams, both sides still have a chance.
On April 16, Game 2 of the Clippers vs. Spurs series continued at the Clippers' home arena, Staples Center.
The Spurs did not make any lineup changes in this game.
The game unfolded differently than the previous one. The Clippers' outside shooting found its rhythm early on, leaving the Spurs' twin towers struggling. However, the Spurs managed to overwhelm the Clippers' second unit, a positive outcome. Ultimately, the gap in skill between the two teams was too significant, and the Clippers secured a 9-point victory at home, winning Game 2.
拿下G2后，两队的大比分变成了2:0，接下来要移师马刺的主场AT&T主场进行系列赛G3、G4的较量。
On April 18th, Game 4 of the Clippers vs. Spurs series.
The Spurs finally made a lineup change for this game. Center Jakob Poeltl, who started in both Game 1 and Game 2, went to the bench for this game, and Kyle Anderson, nicknamed "the human essence of crawling", started instead.
Starting Reinhardt has the advantage of adding another ball-handler, improving defensive flexibility and versatility. However, it doesn't necessarily improve the team's offensive spacing. After all, Reinhardt's three-point shooting isn't all that great.