No.1 in basketball scoring

After the break between quarters, the Spurs immediately went on a 5-0 run. First, Ginobili stole the ball from Kobe and passed it to Parker on the counterattack, who then scored with a layup. Then Kaman took a mid-range shot and missed, and having dashed to the right corner baseline to receive the ball, Ginobili turned and hit a three-pointer.

100 to 95, the Spurs overtook the Lakers by 1 point!

Fortunately, Kobe soon posted up low on Ginobili, turned around, and made a layup facing Duncan's collapsing help defense, drawing a foul from Duncan and making the free throw. The Lakers reclaimed the lead at 102 to 100, steadying their position.

This shot disrupted the Spurs' momentum, but the Lakers' goal of launching a surge to expand their advantage at the beginning of the final quarter was shattered, forcing the two teams into another tug-of-war.

During this period, each team had a player playing a crucial role - Kobe and Duncan.

Stability is the most famous label of Duncan's career.

Kobe, due to an unnamed teammate, had no choice but to be stable. He often felt completely countered, but had no choice because if he wasn't stable, the team's offense would fall apart.

Under the leadership of the two, both teams fought it out with team plays until the end of the match.

At 11 minutes and 15 seconds into the final quarter, the Lakers led the Spurs by two points, 127 to 125, with both teams scoring 28 to 30 in this period.

Then came the Spurs' offense, with Ginobili receiving the ball for an isolation play.

The current Spurs lineup: Parker, Ginobili, Leonard, Diaw, Duncan; the Lakers: Bazemore, Zhang Yang, Kobe, Kaman, Gasol. In crucial moments, if there wasn't a need for a pure shooter standing, Nash would not have any playtime.

Facing Kobe's defense, Ginobili advanced to the elbow area for a jump shot... missed!

But Duncan outpaced the slow-footed Kaman on the wing, cut inside, and scored with a putback, 127 to 127, the Spurs tied the score! The Lakers called a timeout!

Popovich secretly cheered, luckily not calling a timeout before this possession, otherwise, giving the opponent the chance to swap in Jordan Hill would have taken away Duncan's speed advantage.

Although Kaman is clumsy and slow, in terms of offensive diversity, he is more effective than Jordan Hill, yet his defense is much worse.

Coming back from the timeout, Popovich substituted Parker, Diaw, and Ginobili, bringing in Cory Joseph, Danny Green, and Splitter, pairing with Leonard and Duncan, maxing out their defense.

On Budenholzer's side, Nash came on, while Zhang Yang, Kobe, Gasol, and Kaman continued playing.

The Lakers inbounded the ball from the frontcourt, with Kaman standing under the basket, Gasol on the left mid-range, Zhang Yang on the right mid-range.

Kobe passed the ball to Nash at the top arc, then cut through the left side into the three-point line, darted past Gasol, and dashed to the basket, slipping baseline to perform an off-ball screen with Kaman.

As Kobe dashed to the basket, Nash lobbed the ball to Zhang Yang leaning on Leonard from the right mid-range.

No matter how old Kobe gets, his offensive movements always draw the opponent's attention. Leonard subconsciously glanced when Kobe used a screen under the basket, worried that his teammate couldn't switch in time.

At that moment, Zhang Yang moved, without confronting, turned away and shot!

Leonard hurriedly jumped to block, but jumped hastily, swiping Zhang Yang's wrist, and just before the contact, the ball was already airborne!

Upon hearing the whistle, Leonard turned and looked upon landing, just in time to see the ball grazing the inner edge of the hoop and bouncing in...

The cheering of the fans erupted, while Leonard's normally composed face showed the frustration akin to the Timberwolves, blaming the lapse of concentration for Zhang Yang's shot!

As Zhang Yang calmly made the additional free throw amid the audience chanting "MVP," Popovich called a timeout!

9 seconds left, 127 to 130, the Spurs were trailing by 3 points!

Popovich also mentally cursed the Timberwolves, that youngster is too sharp, not missing a single opportunity, yet he knew that was Zhang Yang right there, laser-focused and obsessed with scoring, and daring to take action!

This attack, their tactical goal was clear – to have Gasol and Zhang Yang on the wings for containment and coordination, passing to Kobe or passing back to Nash. But upon seeing the opportunity, Zhang Yang decisively took the shot, completely disregarding what the two veterans were thinking... although perhaps this was part of the 'baldy's tactical scheme.

But none of that mattered now, the last shot needed to be perfectly executed, yet who should take the shot? Clutch tactical shots were not his forte!

Ideally, it should be given to Ginobili, but Ginobili had already played 29 minutes tonight, missing a close shot in the previous possession, and if Duncan hadn't made the putback, the game would have been hopeless by now.

At this moment, he saw Leonard looking at him eagerly... The thought of 'valuing Kawhi's idea' flashed in his mind.

After a brief hesitation, he made a decision.

Coming back from the timeout, the Spurs put Ginobili and Diaw back in, pairing with Leonard, Danny Green, and Duncan.

The Lakers also substituted Bazemore and Jordan Hill, playing with Zhang Yang, Kobe, and Gasol.

To the Lakers' slight surprise, Ginobili passed the ball to Leonard and then moved away to the wing!

Leonard isolated Zhang Yang for the crucial shot!

This naturally made Zhang Yang extremely excited.

As the time ticked down to 5 seconds remaining, Leonard moved, made a crossover pull, but couldn't shake off Zhang Yang, forcing him to rise for a contested shot... "clang"... it missed!