Every playoff game gets much attention, and the feeling of the playoffs will last longer than the regular season. There are only 16 teams in the playoffs, so there are fewer games.
It's an open secret that this season's MVP will be in Sacramento, and he's not disappointing. His performances are being scrutinized with a fine-toothed comb.
"After the G3, Neil said he's coming to Sacramento. He said he was waiting there and didn't want to miss the acceptance ceremony. »
After winning the game, his wife came to give him the news.
"Huh? Why didn't he tell me anything? Hector was puzzled. Little did he know he had forced Neil to move his calendar. This is an essential phase for him because the transfer window is approaching, and to see him move now is surprising but not illogical when hearing the reason.
"You're either competing or training, and you don't have time to call."
Hector is preparing for the competition and has indeed forgotten to call Neil. He still remembers it; his money was lost, but he trusts Neil and doesn't have the time.
***
San Antonio, TX
Game commentators Doc Rivers and Doris Burke are not mistaken during the pre-match analysis.
"Spurs are currently 0-2 behind. This game is crucial for Spurs, and they can't afford to lose. If they lose again, Spurs will have to deal with 0:3 behind. No one came back from an 0-3 deficit. »
"Although this game is G3, it's a life-and-death battle for the Spurs! They don't stand a chance if the Spurs can't stop Herrera from grabbing rebounds. »
In the Spurs' locker room, Popovich's kingdom.
"Guys, this game is our last chance, don't say there's a fourth game. It's our last chance. We can no longer lose. We will all do what we can. At home, we will have to defend our honor. »
The players are aware of the situation they are facing. As long as they lose tonight, the series will be concluded in two games at the latest.
After two fierce battles, the two teams know each other and have become familiar.
De'Aaron Fox showed his ability to drive at full power in the first quarter. When the Spurs make double teams on Hector, they forget that De'Aaron Fox is also a top player.
Spurs know they have no advantage in the paint, so they used pick-and-roll initially. Thanks to this, Longford's almost non-existent is revealed in broad daylight. But the Kings are a team with experience, Wembanyama, in the first quarter, was forced to be substituted because of two fouls.
But at the end of the quarter, the Kings were ahead by two small points, 25:23! The focus is always the same, based on pick-and-roll and small ball. But with more space, the Kings' most dangerous player is no longer Hector. It's Fox.
The Spurs can't totally limit Hector, but if another stands up, things get complicated. For tactical reasons, Fox did not active in scoring, focusing on playmaking, and was content to feed Hector.
But it's a weapon the Kings can draw at any time, and it has just been unsheathed. When Hector is content to ban painting, De'Aaron devours the space with supersonic drives and mid-game shooting.
"Spurs performed well today. The progression between the team that came to Sacramento and today's are two different teams. But the Kings' rich experience has a big effect on the team. »
"It's bad for the Kings," Popovich's work said. The Spurs were ahead early in the third quarter and led 54:59.
But De'Aaron Fox and Keegan Murray accelerated in offense, and Hector and Jonathan Isaac protected the rim and sealed all out of threats. Whether with steals or blocks, Spurs players could not penetrate the paint.
They had to settle for shooting from deep to avoid both players and when Keegan Murray and Chris Duarte were also good defenders, a wall was built.
At the end of the third quarter, the Kings had a 9-point lead. And the final score will be 111-102 for Sacramento. The Kings won the first game on the road and the foot in the second round.
Fox's 33 points and 9 assists, Keegan Murray's triple-double 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, then Hector's 22 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assists, 6 steals, and 2 blocks hurt the Spurs.
From the end of the game, the Kings were not ecstatic. It's at Spurs, and the series is not over—no reason to arouse fans' anger.