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Chapter 532 - 232. Slay demons and butcher Buddhas!

Chapter 532: 232. Slay demons and butcher Buddhas!

On the Spurs’ side, the players were silent... that was normal for them.

A team that has been playing the same style for 10 years has many advantages, such as not needing role players to have particularly good tactical understanding; just add players as needed, and the role players already have a fixed set of plays.

It also doesn’t require the team’s stars to have great communication skills, as everyone knows what to do next; the role players just need to do their job and pass the responsibility and pressure of winning to the star player.

Even though they are behind after three quarters, the Spurs’ role players don’t feel much pressure.

Big man taking all the pressure himself, if it wasn’t for that shitty place in San Antonio and the penny-pinching owner, they would be the favorite team among role players over the last decade.

However, Coach Popovich is freaking out right now...

On the other side, the Bobcats are thrilled!

The lead is only 3 points, and even though they played well in the third quarter, they only outscored the Spurs by 4 points.

But this is the first time they have been ahead in regular time and key moments of a quarter in the five games of the finals!

Especially seeing Zhang Yang score 22 points in 21 minutes during the third quarter... 22 points isn’t the main point, the main point is that he only played 21 minutes, meaning their key player is ready to play the entire final quarter!

Just like Duncan, whose playing time is controlled to be under 40 minutes, can stay efficient throughout, Zhang Yang’s performance will also be better when his playing time is kept under 35 minutes compared to playing 40 minutes.

Whether Zhang Yang scores or misses, as long as he is on the court, his teammates feel at ease, knowing someone will step up if the going gets tough!

Teammates love Duncan and they love Zhang Yang; who doesn’t love a star player who takes all the responsibility on their shoulders?

The break between quarters ended and Zhang Yang continued playing, ready to go the full quarter.

Joining him on the court were Rondo, Gerald Wallace, Millsap, and Muhammad.

Bickerstaff had Felton, Okafor, and Perkins prepare to rest a bit more, ready to come back on and possibly stay on for good.

As Zhang Yang was chalking up, he saw the opposing players who came on... Wow! The lineup had changed!

Parker, Barry, Bowen, Horry, Duncan, Popovich actually sent out that lineup during regular time!

Muhammad was feeling the pressure on defense... No matter, he’s not the one guarding the rim.

The fourth quarter began, with the Bobcats starting on the offense.

Zhang Yang received the ball in a high position against Barry and made a faux lateral movement and spin, Barry, slow in lateral movement, quickly shifted, allowing Zhang Yang to turn around and break through for a near stop-and-shoot... Score!

In the transition to defense, Parker used a Duncan screen to penetrate inside, Muhammad pulled back from the baseline, Parker passed the ball, Horry followed Muhammad into the lane, caught it, and scored on a layup!

With plenty of space, Parker played really well, holding the highest points on the floor, not the 24-point scorers Zhang Yang and Ginobili, but Parker with 25! Parker’s 6 assists were also the highest in the game.

Another Bobcats’ offense, Zhang Yang kept pushing inside. Duncan moved into place this time, disrupting Zhang Yang’s stop-and-jump shot.

But as he turned to guard the board, Millsap beat him to it.

Millsap dashed under the basket for a slam dunk, scoring two points!

The Spurs on the offense, Parker continued the pick-and-roll with Duncan.

Blocked by Duncan, Rondo moved straight under the basket, guarded in front by Rondo and chased from behind by Millsap, Parker penetrated deep and passed the ball to the left amidst the sandwich.

Duncan on the left side caught the ball at the 45-degree angle for a close range shot... Score!

80-83, the Spurs closed in on the score.

Duncan made 6 of 14 shots, adding 4 of 8 free throws, bringing his personal score to 16 points and carrying the Spurs’ inside scoring.

The field goal percentage was a bit low, but mainly because he couldn’t score on his own. When Parker and Ginobili needed a capable pivot rather than a simple finisher, he didn’t fail them.

When his stamina was in crisis after back-to-back intense games, his performance was still praised by commentators.

That’s Duncan for you; even the Heaven Honored Ones or the Demon Swords can crumble under stamina issues, but Duncan still delivered an All-Star performance with 16 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks.

The Bobcats’ offense continued, with Zhang Yang pushing inside again.

With Millsap doing well on the offensive boards, naturally, he would create opportunities for him.

Unfortunately, this time Millsap didn’t get the offensive rebound, and Zhang Yang stepped half a step inside the three-second area for a floater... In!

This time, Duncan didn’t come out to defend!

He had learned from the previous play that he couldn’t recover if he strayed too far. He chose the most appropriate and safest defensive posture with calm and reason, staying under the basket to guard against inside scoring and protect the rebounds, leaving the perimeter defense to his teammates.

No one could fault Duncan’s conservative defense, but his overly cautious approach not only lacked passion and watchability but also cost the Spurs many opportunities.

But then again, that’s the charm of modern basketball; every superstar has their own unique traits, even Kobe, who has always been imitating Jordan, is fundamentally different in play style and role on the court.

With Duncan’s high-quality screens freeing Parker from Rondo’s defense and Duncan’s mid-close scoring threat keeping the defense honest, plus Popovich’s choice of a small, shooting lineup, the offense was flying.

Zhang Yang’s offensive conditions improved as well, with Duncan unable to extend his defense, Barry sticking close meant Zhang Yang would drive, and if Barry sagged off even a bit, he’d shoot from mid-range.