No.1 in basketball scoring-Chapter 852 - 366. Demon Slayer Blade! _4

Zhang Yang made 3 out of 6 shots, including 1 out of 1 three-pointers, plus 2 out of 2 free throws, scoring 9 points. The title of ’King of the Third Quarter’ this season isn’t just hype.

His average score in the third quarter this season, even with a slight decline after the All-Star break, was still 10.2 points, significantly higher than second place Kobe’s 8.6 points, East’s second James’s 7.8 points, West’s second Ginobili’s 7.6 points, and West’s third Nowitzki’s 7.5 points.

Tonight was below the season average, but he played less than 6 minutes!

On Ginobili’s side, he made 3 out of 5 shots, plus 2 out of 3 free throws, scoring 8 points in half a quarter, not far behind, though he didn’t attempt any three-pointers in this half.

Zhang Yang’s long-distance one-on-one defense, as long as his height and arm span are not disadvantaged, has a strong ability to interfere with shooting. Except for players like Kobe who insist on shooting despite interference, opponents usually choose to break through or opt for shots using screens like Nash or Hinrich.

After the interval, both teams continued to attack fiercely in the fourth quarter.

Popovich fell into the opponent’s strategic trap from the start. With their current tactics, as long as the opponent can hold on during the stalemate, he can’t break free and is now even more afraid to make changes. Whoever stops and changes tactics at this time will be taken down in one go.

Carlisle, having achieved his strategy, also felt a lot of pressure at this moment. The pressure to win was completely on the players on the court. Their adaptability in the game became crucial. He could only emphasize points needing attention and areas to exploit during intervals and timeouts.

Of course, while attacking fiercely, both teams also defended with full force, hoping the opponent’s solo plays and team offenses would fail, allowing their defense to counteract the opponent.

But both teams’ expectations were unmet.

The playoffs were approaching, and both teams had been playing like it was the playoffs since the beginning of the month. With only a few regular-season games left, they were already in their best playoff mode, with tactical cohesion, detailed adjustments, and synergy... all at their best, and they understood each other well. Neither side faltered!

In the early half of the final quarter, the score was 15 to 14, with the Bobcats slightly leading by 1 point, entering the official timeout ahead of the Spurs by two points at 84 to 82.

After the official timeout, Conley hit a three-pointer after using Duncan’s screen, allowing the Spurs to reverse and lead by 1 point at 85 to 84.

Going back, Zhang Yang received the ball at high position, seemingly to pass it around but suddenly turned and jumped, catching Ginobili off guard, hitting a long two-pointer and causing Ginobili’s foul.

After Zhang Yang made the additional free throw, the Bobcats regained a two-point lead, leading 87 to 85.

In the next half-quarter, both teams played intensely, scoring declined, and the wing support shooters were basically unreliable. In theory, Mike Miller and Bowen still had a good feel, but neither could get the ball.

Guy’s shooting was off again tonight, but Brad Miller also faded late in the game, so they were evenly matched.

In the latter half of the final quarter, only three players from each team were scoring: the Spurs had Conley, Ginobili, and Duncan, while the Bobcats had Felton, Zhang Yang, and Okafor.

In the final moments, the score remained tight.

The current lineup on the court was: Bobcats—Felton, Zhang Yang, Hill, Okafor, Brad Miller; Spurs—Conley, Ginobili, Guy, Oberto, Duncan.

The Spurs on offense left Duncan open, who made a shot from a close-range 45-degree angle, allowing the Spurs to lead the Bobcats by 1 point at 94 to 93!

This shot made Carlisle on the sidelines scratch his bald head in frustration, but there was nothing he could fault the players for.

Duncan’s mid-range shot accuracy is 43.6%, long two-pointer is 42.1%, under the basket is 69.6%, his accuracy from the elbow area at 38% is the lowest. In that situation, if Okafor didn’t leave Duncan open, Ginobili would break in for a layup, and Brad Miller couldn’t keep up.

If Duncan moved to a farther and more accurate mid-to-long-distance position, Hill or Felton could step up to front and defend the catch, forcing Ginobili to take a difficult shot under Zhang Yang and Okafor’s double-team.

But Duncan was willing to take responsibility at the crucial moment, going to the least accurate elbow area to catch and make the shot!

For the Bobcats’ offense, Zhang Yang was double-teamed by the early-moving Guy upon receiving the ball. He passed to Hill, who then passed to Felton, who caught it at the three-second zone sideline against Conley, facing Duncan’s help defense, took a step against Conley, stepped back for a close jump shot... and scored!

At 95 to 94, the Bobcats took the lead again!

In the critical moment, Ginobili had Duncan’s help, and Zhang Yang also had someone!

For the Spurs’ offense, Ginobili received the ball and sought Duncan’s screen.

He and Zhang Yang had been going head-to-head for one and a half quarters already and was almost out of gas, otherwise, he wouldn’t have had Duncan take the close shot in the previous round. If he were in top physical form, Okafor wouldn’t have been able to fill in time when he drove in.

But at the crucial moment, he still chose to do it himself.

Duncan’s screen was solid, blocking Zhang Yang tightly, and Ginobili was ready to take on the larger Okafor after using the screen... Hill came to help!

Ginobili zoned out for a moment, but he didn’t make a mistake, he lost the first opportunity to pass to the wing Guy; Okafor was approaching with arms waving, so he couldn’t pass.

Seeing Duncan leading Zhang Yang to the long two-point 45-degree area on the left, Ginobili steadied himself and decided to continue with the one-on-one!

Facing Hill’s defense, Ginobili broke through, made a sudden stop, stepped back for a long two-pointer... Hill accelerated explosively and rushed up to disrupt Ginobili just as he started his shooting motion!

Hill made a crucial defense! Ginobili’s step-back long two-pointer hit the rim!

Okafor boxed out the charging Oberto, Brad Miller got the rebound and immediately passed it to Zhang Yang, who caught it at the middle to start a fast break!

The Spurs transitioned back well on defense, Oberto’s charge prevented Okafor from immediately fast-breaking, Duncan and Conley transitioned down the middle, while Ginobili and Guy retreated on the wings, ready to double-team and cover any breaches.

Zhang Yang dashed straight down the middle, slowing abruptly near the three-point line, and Duncan, who had just retreated to the free-throw line, quickly stepped up.

As Duncan and Conley were about to close in, Zhang Yang suddenly accelerated, dribbled behind his back to dodge Duncan, bumped Conley aside, and broke into the inside!

The previously ineffective trailing three-point threat played a role at a crucial moment!

Conley couldn’t catch up after turning, and Duncan attempted to grab and foul, but was blocked by Conley and couldn’t succeed.

Watching Zhang Yang head for the basket, Popovich painfully crouched on the sidelines, but a more painful sight followed!

Ginobili rushed in from the wing and slapped Zhang Yang’s arm, but the ball had already left Zhang Yang’s hands...

The whistle and the sound of the ball going through the net came almost simultaneously.

Zhang Yang scored the crucial fast-break and drew Ginobili’s blocking foul!

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