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Chapter 533 - 232. Slaying Demons and Slaying Buddhas!_2

Chapter 533: 232. Slaying Demons and Slaying Buddhas!_2

The double-team came, and Parker decisively passed the ball; Zhang Yang would shoot if he could, and if not, he’d pass.

The two fought back and forth, with the score fluctuating between a 3 to 7 point difference. At 5 minutes 35 seconds, Popovich couldn’t hold out any longer and called for a timeout!

to 94, the Spurs trailed the Bobcats by 4 points.

In those five and a half minutes, Parker scored 4 points and 4 assists, Duncan 4 points and 1 assist, leading the team to score 14 points; their offense was impressive, but their opponents scored 15 points!

Zhang Yang made 3 out of 6 shots plus 2 out of 2 free throws, scoring 8 points and 1 assist, bringing his total to 30 points, surpassing Parker’s 29 points, the highest in the game!

Including his free throws, Zhang Yang took 7 shots in five and a half minutes, a spree that made Popovich tremble.

Shoot if there’s a chance, create opportunities to shoot if not, and pass only if absolutely necessary.

Millsap, Muhammad, Rondo, and Gerald Wallace had grown accustomed to Zhang Yang’s style, working very well in their aggressive coordination.

Popovich initially wanted Ginobili to rest for two more minutes, but he feared they’d be worn down by the opposition if the game continued this way.

After the timeout, Popovich substituted Ginobili back in, but this time he also kept Parker on the court.

Usually pairing a shooting point guard with Ginobili was not just to create space for Ginobili, who could be even more unpredictable than Kobe in his shooting choices, but to create space for Duncan’s singles; since Duncan couldn’t hold his own tonight, let the two All-Star guards play together.

The frontcourt remained the same, continuing with Bowen, Horry, and Duncan.

At the critical moment, Popovich still chose to put the pressure on Duncan, believing he could handle it.

This was nobly called—trust.

On Bickerstaff’s side, he substituted in Felton, Zhang Yang, Gerald Wallace, Okafor, and Perkins.

The Spurs’ offense, with Ginobili driving the ball hard inside, then passing to an open Horry, who clanged the ball off the rim, miss!

Fortunately, as they switched back, Gerald Wallace drove for a layup against Duncan’s defense. It was disrupted by Duncan and missed, sliding off the rim.

It was the Spurs’ turn to attack again; Ginobili drove inside and faced a double-team. Horry pulled away, but Ginobili didn’t pass. He took two steps forward right in front of the rim and, facing Perkins’ defensive help, tossed a high layup... and it went in!

to 94, Ginobili kept biting at the score, not letting the Bobcats pull away!

The Bobcats were impressed that he made that shot.

However, the Bobcats’ players’ confidence and determination were not affected; they continued to fight!

The Bobcats fielded both Okafor and Perkins, aiming to limit Parker and Ginobili from driving to the basket, while also covering Duncan’s close-range shots.

Of course, this also affected their own offense; the conditions for Felton, Zhang Yang, and Gerald Wallace to drive to the basket worsened.

But considering Ginobili’s 24 points in three quarters and Parker’s 29 points, even if it harmed them as much as it did their opponents, Bickerstaff decisively made this decision.

Bickerstaff’s bold adjustment once again proved effective!

In the last minute of the fourth quarter, the Bobcats on offense, Zhang Yang, using a screen on the left baseline to move up high, Horry didn’t switch to cover but stayed under the basket to help Duncan protect the rim. Zhang Yang went 0 for 3 in shooting, a solo play and two catch-and-shoot attempts, as Horry prioritized rim protection.

Zhang Yang moved up high, and after three missed shots, his fourth attempt was still resolute. Without interference, his shooting motion was very complete, the force of his shot comfortable, and the ball tracing a beautiful arc before falling through the net!

to 99, the Bobcats’ lead extended to 3 points!

The Spurs called for a timeout!

Counting that shot by Zhang Yang, the Bobcats had scored 8 points in the past five-plus minutes, while holding the Spurs to just 7 points!

And those 7 points were all scored by Ginobili alone, 1 out of 3 shots made, the only field goal being a three-pointer, with the other 4 points coming from driving inside to draw fouls twice, making all 4 free throws.

The physical differences showed, with Duncan, Okafor, and Perkins standing under the rim; if Parker drove inside, he couldn’t even see where the basket was, but for Ginobili with a standard small forward height of 198 cm!

Watching his players return to the bench, Popovich had a worried look on his face, but luckily his players were used to his expressive personality and weren’t affected by his mood.

So, there’s no need for a head coach to imitate the aloof demeanor of Phil Jackson, Philip Saunders, or Pat Riley, just be yourself, the players will adapt, and you’ll enjoy yourself more.

But Popovich was genuinely worried now, facing another crucial moment. And that troublemaker Jack, who had been missing continuously just moments ago, managed to make a shot as soon as he got an open look—9 shots 3 made!

He felt his team had played very well tonight.

Ginobili 22 shots 10 made, including 7 three-pointers with 4 made, plus 9 out of 7 free throws, scoring 31 points with 6 assists.

Parker 20 shots 11 made, plus 8 out of 7 free throws, scoring 29 points with 10 assists.

The two carried the team, alongside Duncan who managed only 18 points from 17 shots, finishing the game impressively. Of course, Duncan’s 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks also played a crucial role. In the last 5 minutes, Duncan grabbed 4 defensive rebounds, restraining the opponent’s front line’s offensive rebounds.

Reflecting for a moment, Popovich adjusted his mindset, contemplated, and laid out his tactics.