The strongest champion puzzle

Chapter 240 A Difficult Opponent
In fact, judging from the scene, the Heat in overtime are very dangerous, because Duncan is not in danger of fouling at the defense point of the two teams, and James, the main force of the Heat's defense, has committed five fouls.

However, the Spurs' fouls on the perimeter are also quite serious. Whoever wants to make a fuss about it to seize the opportunity will definitely be able to control the overtime game. Both coaches think so.

The Spurs put on Splitter deliberately, because not only James, Bosh also made five fouls.

The Spurs got the chance to attack first in overtime. Duncan looked half-dead, but this time he went in again. When the Thunder were eliminated, they didn't pay enough attention to the old stone Buddha.

The Heat will certainly not repeat the same mistakes, but neither side expected the next situation.

After Zhang Xiaotian got the ball, he directly forced Leonard. Leonard was marking James at the last moment of the last quarter, and now he switched back to defending Zhang Xiaotian. Although he was a little tired, he was still very interested in the confrontation with his former teammate.

With Leonard's long arms open, he has no problem defending, and he is not afraid of physical confrontation at all.

It's just that he didn't expect that Zhang Xiaotian's burst of strength exceeded his imagination after the two of them made physical contact.

How is it possible, this kid is like taking medicine in the final quarter, how can the extra time be even more fierce.

Leonard's mind was full of doubts, and then he heard the referee's whistle, and Zhang Xiaotian scored 2+1.

More importantly, Leonard was sent off for the second time in the finals.

Popovich argued loudly with the referee, but unfortunately it was useless. He replaced Manu Ginobili and planned to continue to rely on the inside line, but then the inside line failed.

Zhang Xiaotian made a hit, James made a hit, and the Spurs could only be replaced by one major and four minors.

But without Leonard at this time, no one can stop Zhang Xiaotian and James.

When Zhang Xiaotian hit a three-pointer to open the score to 8 points, Popovich knew that the game was over again.

The team needs a defensive forward substitute, but where to find it at this time.

After the Spurs became a powerful team on the offensive end, they have always been three guards, and there is no such reserve at all.

Zhang Xiaotian was an accident last season. If Zhang Xiaotian was still on the team, Popovich would shake his head.

119:113, the Heat made another victory, leading 2:1 in the finals.

"I found the rhythm, but I couldn't stay on the court at the last moment. I can't let this happen again." Leonard was a little depressed after the game.

"The core of this league is to hit the ball or miss the ball. Obviously, I did it." Zhang Xiaotian, who scored 22 points, said so.

He is just talking about it. Leonard's growth has made the Spurs stronger, but fortunately they also have flaws.

If Duncan's successor cannot be found, the current strength of the Spurs will only be a flash in the pan, and Zhang Xiaotian is also a little embarrassed.

Obviously, he's not the answer, and the Spurs wouldn't let him go if he was an insider.

Of course, he was talking about the level of competing for the championship. With the strength of the Spurs, even without Duncan, it is possible to occupy a place in a strong team in the West.

The Heat led the total score, and Yang Feiyu also organized fan activities again.

Soon after the finals, their brand will be launched. During this period of time, the enthusiasm of the fans must be maintained at a high level. If the Heat can win the championship, Zhang Xiaotian's launch of his own brand will be smoother.

After the game, Zhang Xiaotian and Yang Feiyu will return to the other side of the ocean to hold a homecoming banquet.

Afterwards, a series of activities such as fan meetings will be arranged. A while ago, Yang Feiyu has taken care of both public and private affairs. The house has been renovated there, and the venue for Zhang Xiaotian's training has also been prepared, so he can stay for a while.

As for the contract issue, based on his current performance, there will definitely be many teams interested in him.

On the other side of the investment side, his main target group is also on the other side of the ocean, but he doesn't care about the Heat's attitude towards him.

But now Zhang Xiaotian is fully focused on the competition, the significance of the championship may not have much impact on the next contract, but it is very important to him.

The Heat did not have an absolute advantage in winning the two games, and the Spurs did not need major adjustments.

Popovich's current thinking is correct, but restricting the performance of stars is not a problem that can be solved by tactics alone.

In the fourth game, the Spurs still chose Diaw and Duncan to partner inside.

They are unwilling to give up their advantage inside, but Splitter will certainly not be able to defend.

It's not impossible to play a junior and a junior, but if Ginobili is mentioned in the starting lineup, they will have no way out.

Just one game behind, both the Spurs players and coaches have experienced ups and downs, and no one panicked.

The Heat took the lead in scoring from Bosh's mid-range, but soon the Spurs found their rhythm and blossomed inside and outside.

Defending Leonard almost exhausted Zhang Xiaotian's entire energy.

Zhang Xiaotian was abused on the training ground a year ago, but Leonard was far from his current strength at that time.

Leonard felt good on the field. Although his shots were not so accurate, his overall performance was even better. On the offensive end, he used his physical fitness to overwhelm Zhang Xiaotian. On the defensive end, he was able to help defend while restricting Zhang Xiaotian, and controlled fouls.

If he meets other people, Zhang Xiaotian estimates that the first two games will be 30+, and Leonard will be difficult to deal with. This is because the opponent has not been defending him all the time.

However, the Spurs have not been able to open the game, and the Heat's main lineup is not boasting, except that there is no real fifth position, the configuration is really strong.

But as soon as the rotation came, there was a problem. The Heat's substitute was really no match for the Spurs' substitute.

With 4 minutes left in the first quarter, he started to come on the bench, and by the end of the first quarter, the Heat were almost 10 points behind.

At the beginning of the second quarter, Zhang Xiaotian took advantage of Leonard's rest and hit Danny Green twice in a row, using his body weight to forcibly draw fouls.

However, Leonard was in good physical strength, and he only rested for 2 minutes, and Popovich replaced him again.

James also played later, but his touch was unstable.

When James is not feeling well, the Spurs can just use Diaw to defend, Leonard can restrict Zhang Xiaotian, Danny Green keeps a close eye on Wade, and Duncan can bully Bosh.

Fortunately, when playing with the main players, Ray Allen played a greater role, hitting two consecutive three-pointers to stabilize the score.

In fact, Ray Allen can't play with the ball like Ginobili. It's really difficult to meet a strong team during the rotation.

But the Heat have no better choice, unless Zhang Xiaotian is used as a substitute, but the change is too big, and the main lineup will also have pressure on defense.

But in the second half of the second quarter, the Heat missed several backcourt rebounds, and the Spurs took the opportunity to hit a few outside shots. Zhang Xiaotian hit a three-pointer at the last moment but failed to bring the score gap back to single digits.

The main force couldn't suppress it, and the substitute lost points. This game is really difficult for the Heat.

(End of this chapter)