Head coach Ewing made the final tactical arrangements.
"Guys, don't forget this is the playoffs. This is the real battle. 16 teams will all give to win, 200% energy in every game, we can beat everyone. »
"Kings!"
"Must win!" All shouted in unison.
***
In the playoffs, there is something mandatory for every team at home: It's an apparition ceremony worthy of the name. The Golden 1 Center is crowded with people, and the whole room is filled with screams. This season, the Golden 1 Center is the first venue to be a real impregnable fortress. Kings' fans didn't see the loss.
The Golden 1 Center is filled with purple. Many fans waved signs and banners of encouragement.
Hector and his teammates have blood burning when they see this scene. The playoffs, whether in Sacramento or opposing arenas are always exceptional. By playing in this atmosphere, the mental quality of a player is questioned.
Wembanyama beat Hector for possession, but the Kings scored the first points with a three-pointer from Murray. Keldon Johnson will see the Kings' tight defense succeed in his jumper.
Hector started his night with a midrange, and Fox followed up with a three-pointer after a handoff dribble with Keegan Murray. It's already too much for the Spurs, who take a timeout.
"Victor, be more careful. The Kings have decided to take you away from the rim. I know it's not easy for you but adapt quickly. The Kings will not give us gifts. »
Time was over, and the Spurs attacked, and after a pick and roll, Wenbanyama scored his first points in the playoffs.
De'Aaron Fox draws a crowd in driving layup and gets the bonus. He made his free throw.
4:10!
Spurs had to react, and shooting guard Romeo Langford shot a three-pointer from the corner.
Hector is active offensively, less tall than Wembanyama, but their physique is comparable, and he decides to intimidate him at the low post. With the bully back down, he turns around, performs a sky hook, and draws the fault with it. The extra point is not missing.
The Spurs weren't going to let that happen, with two free throws from sophomore Rick Young and a step back from Wembanyama to avoid Hector.
11;14!
The Spurs are not lagging and follow the pace of the Kings. When Longford brought the Spurs back at 20:21, Hector accelerated.
First, with a fadeaway taking advantage of his size advantage over Sochan to avoid Wembanyama's block and then a layup after causing a steal.
The Spurs' backup center is a Canadian Hotman. He will dunk after a mistake of negligence on the part of the Kings. But Keegan Murray will quickly calm the Spurs with a fake shoot in catch and shoot, but he could not shoot 3-pointers. The shot is still successful, and the next one was not a fake.
With two minutes left in the quarter, Duarte scored his first points. After two free throws by the Spurs, Jonathan Isaac scored a layup.
Hector defends, fights at rebounds, and gets an offensive rebound, but he could not succeed in his shot, but he did not forget to draw the foul. He didn't miss any free throws.
In the quarter's final seconds, apart from two free throws on each side and a steal from Hector, the status quo remained the same.