719 - One point difference!
719 - One point difference!
As the referee blew his whistle, the players from both sides stepped back onto the field.
For the Spurs, the players maintained the same lineup as before.
The Clippers, on the other hand, made a personnel adjustment, with Curry replacing Gordon.
At this moment, the game entered the Spurs' offensive possession.
However, the situation is already very dire for the Spurs; they are on the brink of elimination, hanging by a thread.
The game has now reached a point where only half a minute remains.
"Do we really still have a chance to win?" a player sitting on the Spurs' bench muttered to himself.
"In just half a minute, how many shots can we possibly get? Winning this game is a pipe dream, there's absolutely no hope!" another teammate chimed in.
"Yeah, even if we lose the game in the end, it's not too shameful. You know, we were facing the incredibly strong Clippers team today, especially that fearsome Su Hao!"
Despite saying this, their furrowed brows and anxious eyes revealed that deep down they still longed for a miracle to happen.
Just then, the game resumed.
Jefferson took the basketball from the referee and stood steadily on the sidelines.
He observed his teammates' positioning and the opponent's defensive setup.
After a brief moment of thought, Jefferson decided to pass the ball to Ginobili, who was positioned on the wing.
With a flick of his wrist, the basketball flew precisely toward Ginobili.
Just as the game entered its most crucial moment, the atmosphere on the field was so tense that it was almost suffocating.
Jefferson quickly passed the ball to Ginobili, who was being guarded by Rasul Butler. However, Ginobili didn't hesitate; facing Butler's tight defense, he decisively jumped and forced a three-pointer!
At this point, the Spurs had no other choice.
In the crucial final moments of the game, the only players on the team who could truly be relied upon and trusted were probably Ginobili and Duncan.
Unfortunately, Duncan was being closely guarded by his opponent Su Hao at that moment and had no chance to receive the ball at all.
That's why, when Ginobili received the ball from Jefferson, he didn't hesitate to shoot directly.
After all, Ginobili is a well-known sharpshooter on the team, especially his performance from beyond the three-point line is exceptional.
As the team's best sixth man, his three-point shooting is sometimes worth trying.
Therefore, at such a critical juncture, Ginobili knew he bore a huge responsibility, and he had no reason to pass the ball to teammates who were not very confident of winning.
The entire audience held their breath, their eyes glued to the basketball that traced a beautiful arc through the air.
The basketball easily flew over Rasul Butler's head as he leaped high to try and block it, and then landed steadily in the basket!
At that moment, the entire stadium erupted in cheers and applause.
Amazingly, the entire process from Ginobili receiving the ball to finally hitting the three-pointer took only three seconds! Although this offensive play successfully scored a valuable three points and greatly saved the remaining offensive time, unfortunately, the Spurs are still trailing the Clippers by a full point.
"Wow, that's amazing! You guys actually managed to hit a three-pointer in such a short time! It looks like you have a great chance to turn the tide and win!" Su Hao exclaimed to Duncan with a big smile.
Duncan shook his head with a wry smile and replied helplessly, "Stop teasing us. Although it did only take three seconds, after deducting your 24-second shot clock, we only had a pitiful one second left to launch an effective attack!"
Su Hao raised an eyebrow and said, "Do you really think you're going to be so stupid as to wait for us to run out of our precious 24 seconds of attack time? Heh heh, I don't believe you'd be that foolish!"
Just then, the Spurs, having successfully made a three-pointer, promptly called a timeout.
Rasul Butler, standing nearby, was filled with regret for failing to defend against Ginobili's crucial three-pointer.
He walked up to Su Hao with a self-reproachful look on his face and said dejectedly, "Su Hao, it's all my fault this time. I had only been on the court for a short while when the opponent easily made a crucial three-pointer right in front of me!"
Su Hao gently patted Rasul Butler on the shoulder and comforted him, "Hey, don't say that. They just got lucky when they made that three-pointer. We still have a one-point lead!"
After saying that, Su Hao gave Rasul Butler a reassuring smile.
Su Hao slowly walked back to the bench and sat down.
A staff member quickly stepped forward and thoughtfully handed Su Hao a bottle of mineral water.
After taking the water bottle, Su Hao couldn't wait to unscrew the cap, tilt his head back, and gulp it down.
The cool water slid down my throat and into my stomach, as if instantly dispelling the heat and fatigue in my body.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere on the other side of the court remained tense for the Spurs.
Despite Ginobili's impressive three-pointer, it didn't fundamentally change the team's current disadvantageous situation.
The team members all looked serious, their brows furrowed, as if they were all thinking about how to deal with the situation next.
Popovich stood on the sidelines, arms crossed, and shouted to the players with a serious expression: "Guys, listen up! We're down by one point now, and the situation isn't looking good!"
When the game restarts, we must decisively employ a fouling strategy without hesitation! Remember, if the ball isn't in Su Hao's hands, you must rush in immediately to find an opportunity to foul! Understand?
Upon hearing the coach's instructions, Parker asked, "Coach, what should we do if the Clippers pass the ball directly to Su Hao?"
Upon hearing this, Popovich's expression darkened slightly, and he said with a hint of displeasure, "How can you be so stupid? Can't you guys all work together to double-team Su Hao? Do you need me to teach you how to stop him from receiving the ball?"
After saying that, he glared fiercely at Parker.
Seeing this, Parker felt a pang of anxiety, realizing that his question had angered the coach.
He quickly lowered his head and whispered, "Understood, Coach!"
He then fell silent, secretly resolving to carry out the subsequent tactical arrangements according to the coach's instructions.
20demayo