The strongest champion puzzle

Chapter 508 The Warrior Withdraws

Before the game, it was vigorous and vigorous, but in the game, although it was fierce, the scene was not as ups and downs as the fans hoped.

Obviously, at the last moment, the Spurs were even stronger.

The strength of the Spurs, the integration of offense and defense, the Rockets always feel that they are still a little bit worse.

As the core of the first-tier team, Harden has excellent abilities in all aspects, but it seems that the key ball should be improved to a higher level. Perhaps because the opponent is the Spurs, he cannot be more demanding.

The Spurs abruptly extended their lead to 10 points at the end of the game, and finally they won this crucial game 118:109.

The perception of the outside world has changed again.

Especially the die-hard fans of the Spurs, who used to feel that the team did not do their best, but now they can be happy, "See, the defending champion is the strongest as long as he exerts strength, and he will definitely be able to defend the title successfully this time."

Of course, the fans of the three first-tier teams in the West were unconvinced in every way and quarreled on the Internet.

As far as Zhang Xiaotian thinks, the three first-tier teams in the Western Conference are quite close in terms of strength.

For example, in this game, if the Rockets' bench performance is better, the Spurs will be very difficult.

The Spurs' weakness lies in their scoring explosiveness, which is also related to their stable inside scoring points, but they are also the most stable of the three teams, with both offense and defense.

The Rockets are the most inconsistent because they are the team that relies the most on role players, but because of that, they can sometimes play better games.

The Warriors are the most stable on the offensive end. Their core players can explode points and play key shots, but their bench lineup is the weakest, but a good system conceals this.

There will be seven games in the playoffs, so Zhang Xiaotian thinks they will have a slight advantage.

There are too many unforeseen factors in one or two games, and the ability to burst points is terrible, but a series is different.

After beating the Rockets, the Spurs took it easy.

With Zhang Xiaotian resting, they easily won against the Big Boss Magic.

That is to say, this easy game, and then it is against the team that is desperate for the playoffs.

On March 3, the Spurs played against the Pelicans at home.

Because Mirotic is very suitable for the Pelicans' style of play, the Pelicans did not sink after losing Cousins, but the more the better, they are now sprinting for the playoffs.

But they still have no substitutes, so the main players played very hard.

The Spurs have no other hope now, but to win and compete for the first place in the Western Conference.

Before that, the Warriors lost, and they were a little farther away from the number one throne. The most important thing is the Rockets.

Other teams do not have the Spurs' defense, and the Rockets are the easiest to harvest.

It is indeed more difficult to play when the main force of the Pelicans is on the court. Aldridge's state rebounds and the Spurs win slightly, because Anthony Davis cannot guard against this.

However, in terms of rotation, the Spurs are obviously stronger.

In the first half, everyone showed their strength and the Spurs took a slight lead.

But in the second half, the Spurs increased their defensive intensity, flanked Davis, and increased the speed of the defensive rotation. The Pelicans immediately encountered trouble on the offensive end.

The pick-and-roll defenses of the teams on both sides are different, which is more obvious in this case.

Zhang Xiaotian seized the problem of the opponent's defensive connection and succeeded in consecutive mid-ranges, helping the team expand the score advantage.

In the fourth quarter, the Spurs continued to pinch Davis, and the Pelicans could only rely on not very strong three-pointers to continue their lives, but as time passed, the Spurs won the game firmly.

This game also showed the gap in comprehensive strength between the Western Conference playoff teams and the first-tier teams. The Pelicans can fight the Spurs hard in some aspects, but it is difficult for them to withstand the whole game.

The tough battle for the Spurs continues. On March 3, they played against the Timberwolves at home.

There are some reasons why the game is not easy to play. The main reason is that the Rockets are also stable. The goals are different, and the requirements for the team are naturally different.

At this time last season, the Spurs were very relaxed, and it was relatively rare for them to work hard at the last minute of the regular season.

The Timberwolves and the Pelicans are somewhat similar in some respects. Their offense is strong and their defense is weak. In fact, their individual defense is still good, but their team defense is too weak.

However, the Timberwolves have had a lot of thunder and rain this season, and they haven't fully run in yet. Some fight with the Thunder, and the volatility is much greater than that of a team with a clear core like the Pelicans.

Because of the approaching playoffs, the Spurs have practiced more lineups with one major and four minors, and the contest with the Timberwolves will also start with a major and four minors.

At the beginning of the game, the two teams still played very tangled.

However, when it came to the rotation period, the Spurs completely took the initiative.

In fact, the Timberwolves are not without a substitute. The 38-year-old Crawford can still play, and Rose was signed in the second half of the season.

It's just that the team's tactics are a bit problematic, and both offensive and defensive ends are a bit awkward.

Especially the forwards and defenses were basically overwhelmed by Zhang Xiaotian and Leonard.

Coupled with the fact that the Spurs' substitute players had to perform better, they had an absolute advantage in the third quarter.

It's not that the Timberwolves are not fighting, but it feels like there is a problem.

In the fourth quarter, Zhang Xiaotian led the team to help the team gain a 20-point lead, and the final period of the game became dispensable.

When the competition for scoring in the West was extremely fierce, the Raptors and Celtics in the East basically locked the top two. The question that the Cavaliers have to consider now is whether they can hold the third place. The location poses a threat.

Moreover, the top eight in the East has basically been determined, and it depends on the final ranking.

The west is still in chaos, the top three are high above the top, and the fourth to No.10 is still unclear.

However, for the competition for the first place in the Western Conference, the Warriors have withdrawn early.

Both Curry and Durant had minor injuries. For the playoffs, the Warriors also let them take turns.

At this time, the Spurs met the Warriors again at home. Facing the Warriors without Curry and Durant, they were not polite, and easily beat their opponents to clock out in three quarters.

It's just that the Rockets didn't relax at all. After losing to the Spurs, they won all the games.

If the Spurs want to enter the playoffs as the No. [-] in the Western Conference, they can't have any luck and can only play well one game at a time.

On the training ground, all the Spurs soldiers were full of fighting spirit.

The team has adjusted well in front of the team. At this time, we have to work hard in advance. The problem of physical strength is not big, and the injury situation is also well controlled.

At this time, there is nothing to say. The Warriors have no choice but to give up. It was okay not to fight at first, but now they will win if they fight. Their goal is to defend the title, so now they hope to gain an advantage in the Western Conference Finals.

Of course, they can't make mistakes before that. Competitive sports are not so easy.

(End of this chapter)