96 to 91.
The Nets finally completed a 14-point halftime comeback and defeated the Spurs to win their first victory in the Finals.
In terms of statistics, the Spurs scored very evenly. Parker scored the most points with 19 points, Duncan and Leonard each scored 15 points, and Ginobili on the bench scored 18 points.
For the Nets, Lin Ying scored a game-high 51 points plus 7 rebounds and 5 assists. JR scored 18 points and Butler 11 points.
"The Spurs are very strong, but Lin Ying is also very strong. You only need to give him a helper, and he can defeat such a strong Spurs."
After the game, Barkley gave a perfect summary of the game.
The Nets scored a total of 96 points, and at least 61 of them were related to Lin Ying.
This score ratio can only be described as terrifying.
And anyone who watched the game can feel how strong the Spurs' defense is.
Or it can be understood that except Lin Ying, no one else can perform well...
"I'm even looking forward to whether he can hit Michael's scoring record."
O'Neal mentioned a key word.
The history of the NBA is not long, and it only lasts for fifty or sixty years.
In such a long history, even counting ancient times, there are only three people who can average 40+ in the finals.
Two of them were Elgin Baylor and Rick Barry in the 1970s, and the rest was Jordan, who also averaged the highest points per game.
When Jordan faced the Suns in the 1993 Finals, he averaged an unprecedented 41 points in 6 games.
Lin Ying scored 50+ in his debut, and considering what both sides showed in the first series, he has a chance to become the latecomer.
O'Neal mentioned this and remembered it deeply because he himself once averaged 38 points per game.
Barkley didn't answer because he was more concerned about the outcome of the game.
If the Nets cannot defend their title in the end, no matter how high Lin Ying scores, he will only be Elgin Baylor of another time and space.
After the G1 game, there was a lot of discussion on social media.
"The Spurs are really much better than expected. I even think they are the strongest team in the league."
"I have never seen such a smooth offensive and defensive performance. They are like a sophisticated machine. To beat them, you must perform incredible performance."
"Just like Lin."
"And it has to be coupled with the outstanding performance of J.R. Smith."
"Oh my god, this is so scary! I suddenly feel a little lucky for the Knicks. If they make the playoffs, the ending will probably be the same as in 2012."
"If the Nets can successfully defend their title, this year's title will be even higher than last year's."
"I think so too, but to be honest, although the Nets won G1, I am not optimistic about the prospects of the finals. The Spurs are really too stable. It is difficult for you to expect JR to perform like this every game."
"I also feel that this is the first time I have felt the charm and strength of team basketball."
"Although, I still hope the Nets win the championship because I like Lin so much."
…
The discussion of G1 was not over yet, and the G2 game soon started again in Brooklyn.
As expected by many fans, Lin Ying's performance was still stable. He still scored a game-high 41 points, but this time the rest of the Nets failed to perform well.
On the other hand, the Spurs are still as stable as a machine.
In the end, the Nets lost to the Spurs 87-101.
A big score of 1 to 1 cannot truly reflect the matchup in the finals.
For the Nets, the pressure they are facing now is huge.
Having lost their home field advantage, they will spend the next two away games in San Antonio.
Both the coaching staff and the players will face huge challenges.
The good news is that there is an extra day of rest in between, so they can think about how to deal with the situation at hand.
The day after G2 ended, the Nets conducted daily training.
Only McMillan was leading them in daily training, and Karl and the others were not present during the whole process.
When the training was over, the players returned to the locker room to rest.
Compared with the relaxed and joyful scene when playing the Knicks, the players' faces were obviously serious and nervous at this time.
After two games, they already knew how difficult the Spurs they faced were.
Lin Ying had just changed clothes after taking a shower, when Cole came to the dressing room and called him away directly.
"We are discussing how to play in San Antonio, and there are some things that I need to ask for your personal opinion."
Cole told Lin Ying in advance on the way there.
After hearing this, Lin Ying was still a little hopeful.
To be honest, the Nets' strength this year has dropped a lot compared to last year, and they are at a disadvantage when they encounter the Spurs.
You can't expect JR to have fits every time, and it's hard to expect Deron to burst out suddenly, let alone others.
In this case, some tactical assistance is needed.
The Brooklyn "boy band" did a good job when they beat the Knicks, so there is reason to look forward to it.
When we got to the office, Sloan, Carl, and McMillan were all there.
"We came up with a very bold idea."
When Lin Ying sat down, Karl spoke.
After saying that, he unconsciously turned his head and looked at Cole.
Lin Ying noticed this detail.
It seems that this idea has a lot to do with Cole.
What Carl said next also confirmed this.
They want Lin Ying to play the fifth position.
Or to put it another way, this is the ultimate "Death Five" in Cole's imagination.
Karl expressed his thoughts and then gave an explanation:
"We have analyzed the Spurs' weaknesses. Their interior and forward rotation are weaknesses. If we can wear them down through speed and force them to expand their rotations, it will be beneficial to us.
Moreover, in positional battles, our space can be expanded even larger. No matter how good their defensive understanding is, it is difficult to fully take care of them in such a large space.
The disadvantage of doing this is that it will cause you and Tim to get entangled in the interior, which will be a drain on your defensive end.
So the opinions of the four of us are now 2 to 2. George and I think it is feasible, and Jerry and Nate think it is not worth the gain.
So finally I want to see what you think."
"Who will partner with me in the paint?"
This is a question that Lin Ying is concerned about.
"Jae Crowder."
Carl gave the answer.
"Then I have no objection."
Lin Ying nodded.
Although Crowder didn't have many opportunities to play in the previous games, he has proven in the regular season that he can do the dirty work on the defensive end, and he also has a certain level of three-pointers.
If he plays the fifth position, he must be matched with such a person.
Regarding the playing style of the "Death Five", the "boy group" should have really analyzed it in depth.
…
After determining the new style of play, the Nets held closed training for the next two days.
Even in San Antonio, they refused to be visited by reporters.
This also caused the outside world to speculate for a while, and they all vaguely guessed what kind of tricks the Nets were going to do.
After all, the Brooklyn “boy band” has a “criminal record.”
Then when G3 started, more than 5 minutes into the first quarter, they met.
When he saw the Nets' lineup of Deron, Butler, Johnson, Crowder and Lin Ying, even though Popovich was well-informed, he was still shocked.
Although Lin Ying was born as a power forward, the last time he played was in Phoenix.
In the past two years, he has lost weight in order to play small forward, which directly moved him to the fifth position...
I can’t say crazy, I can only say crazy!
"Only George Carl could do such crazy things."
O'Neal sighed and couldn't help but rub his hands.
He put himself on the Spurs team and imagined what it would be like to play against Lin Ying.
That must be very bloody.
On the court, Lin Ying failed to guard Duncan in the first round.
Although Duncan also swings from the fourth position to the fifth position, Lin Ying has not played inside for many years, and his weight and size are disadvantages.
However, in the second defensive round, Lin Ying used anticipation and early positioning to interfere with Duncan's shooting.
In the third defensive round, Crowder directly stepped back to help defend, and Duncan's final turning hook shot failed.
No one is immortal, and Duncan's ability to attack difficult positions is obviously declining.
The Nets' five defensive disadvantages are not as big as imagined.
And they really picked up the speed on the offensive end.
Lin Ying's ability to get out of position and grab defensive rebounds is still there, and his passes are really fast.
The Spurs' opportunities for positional battles are decreasing, and the Nets have succeeded in speeding up.
Then, there is consumption.
The methods of consumption and killing are different, but the purpose is the same.
Lin Ying's attempt to kill Duncan in G1 didn't work, but the consumption after speeding up forced Popovich to rest Duncan in advance and then expanded the rotation.
Bonner, who was slowly abandoned in the Western Conference Finals, was also substituted in this game.
Then, it became a breakthrough for the Nets to try.
After three quarters, the Nets led 71 to 66.
This is the first time since the finals.
During the substitute period in the fourth quarter, the Nets also maintained the point difference under the leadership of JR.
However, the Spurs retained their physical strength by expanding their rotations, and in the final decisive stage, they became that stable machine again, gradually smoothing out the already small point difference.
At the last moment, Lin Ying was surrounded by many people and passed the ball to Joe Johnson.
Johnson's key shot.
The Spurs fans at the scene were so nervous that they dared not breathe.
Johnson is also known for his big heart.
If we simply look at "buzzer-beater" statistics, Johnson is even better than one person, second only to that man.
However, Kawhi Johnson's lifelong enemy Leonard came out of nowhere and interfered.
"Dang!"
Johnson's shot missed.
103 to 107.
The Nets ultimately regretted losing G3.
Lin Yingkong scored 33 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocks.
It was a bit regretful to lose, but at the press conference after the game, the Nets were in good spirits.
"It's a pity to lose, but the result is acceptable. We look forward to the next games."
Karl's remarks at the press conference reassured Nets fans.
In fact, this is also what fans said on social media at this time.
"I didn't think the Nets had an advantage when they won G1, but after losing G3, I think the Nets now have the same opportunity as the Spurs."
"I agree, the winning or losing of the game cannot fully explain the strength, because some winning and losing are due to accidental events, and some winning and losing are detailed contests when the strength is equal. The Nets were in the former before, but now they are in the latter."
"I have to say that Brooklyn's coaching staff is still outstanding, and Karl is indeed a 'madman'. Letting Lin play the five position is really something that only a genius can think of."
"I think Lin's ability to hit from one to five is the scariest thing. The last person who could do this was Magic Johnson."
"Yes, it's terrible. Although Duncan is at a disadvantage on the defensive end, the Spurs can't do anything to Lin on the offensive end. With 30+15 statistics, Lin is a center."
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"And we have to know that this is only the first time the Nets have tried this on the court. I am looking forward to G4!"
…
At the end of the second day of training in G3, Cole called Lin Ying to the coach's office again.
Then, Lin Ying watched the familiar Brooklyn "boy band" again.
It seems that they have accumulated some experience in the G3 game, and there should be new adjustments now.
"Lin, what do you think of JR's idea of ​​beating?"
Karl also got straight to the point, even omitting to mention that the four of them were 2 to 2 on this issue.
"We have the idea of ​​wanting JR to replace Joe Johnson."
Carl then added.
Lin Ying didn't answer in a hurry after hearing the last sentence.
This is no small matter for the Nets.
Johnson has always been untouchable. Even when Butler needed a position before, it was Yi Jianlian who was squeezed out.
One is Johnson's league status. After all, he was also a star when he was with the Hawks.
Secondly, Johnson has excellent singles ability and can contain defenses on the court.
However, it is understandable that the coaching staff would make such a decision, because Johnson's performance against Leonard was too difficult.
After three games of the Finals, Johnson averaged less than 10 points per game and shot only 31% from the field.
This may not even be described as a struggle.
On the contrary, JR performed well, averaging 14.5 points per game, and returned to being the best sixth man in the regular season.
"We recognize JR's performance and need someone on the court to share the defensive pressure for you, but we are worried about whether he can adapt to the role. He has rarely played in these years."
Karl saw that Lin Ying was silent, and then added.
This was a point of contention among several people before them.
For role players, what they have to do is very different from what they have to do as a substitute. Not everyone says that they should play well as a substitute.
For example, Crawford and Mo Williams are all players who can show their strength better when they come off the bench.
"I think you can try it."
Lin Ying finally gave his answer.
Of course, he also gave an explanation,
"JR's inability to play before was mostly due to offensive selection and defensive issues, but this season his progress in both areas is obvious to all.
So I think he can take on more."
But as soon as Lin Ying finished speaking, McMillan retorted:
"Yes, it's 'personal choice'. That's what we're worried about. It's a double-edged sword."
Obviously, he is opposed to JR within the coaching staff.
This is understandable, MacMillan is very disciplined.
If he were the head coach of the Nets, there is a high probability that JR would not come to the Nets.
"I don't think so."
Lin Ying said.
He knows that JR was a very qualified 3D player when he was with the Cavaliers in history.
We even had a wonderful series in the finals, one that was better than his opponent Klay Thompson.
Of course, this kind of open-mindedness cannot be used as a reason.
"Why?"
McMillan asked.
"Because of Andre Bell."
Chapter completed!