After five minutes of the second quarter, Matt Bonner hit the outside and received a breakthrough pass from Tony Parker.

Gasol Jr. did not keep up again. Gasol Jr. was not that versatile in defense at this period. Moreover, this was not the era when all the centers were running to shoot three-pointers.

The sudden appearance of a Bonner who can shoot three-pointers made Gasol very uncomfortable. He was used to defending at low posts, and this defensive habit cannot be changed in a few minutes.

Bonner received the basketball and then took a direct shot without anyone being disturbed! Bonner's three-point shooting percentage was as high as 45.7%, and the three-pointer was his foundation in the Spurs.

Gasol's little defense was not effective. When he pounced on it, the basketballs that Bonner had thrown were already halfway through.

Bonner did not disappoint Popovich, and his open shot hit again! That's right, it's again!

Since the second quarter, this is Bonner's second three-pointer. With both sides relying on tight defense to curb each other, three-pointers are the best way to open the score.

"Go again! Bonner performed very well after appearing today. On the defensive end, he did not let Gasol take too much advantage. But on the offensive end, he has already scored 6 points! This guy may be inconspicuous and may not be able to kill the game. But you have to understand that Coach Popovich will not send someone he doesn't trust to the court!"

Originally, the Spurs entered the second quarter with a 1-point disadvantage, but now, after Bonner hit the second three-pointer, the Spurs led the Grizzlies by 6 points.

To put it bluntly, the positional battle between the two teams is always fighting each other with one punch and one punch. The one that really widens the gap is these two three-pointers.

Popovich smiled. Even if it was just a 6-point advantage in this kind of position-shaking game, it was an extremely huge advantage. Bonner didn't play for a minute in the first quarter, so Popovich decided to continue to let the "Red Mamba" stay on the court and continue to suppress the Grizzlies.

But now, that guy Link is still in big trouble. So far, Link has scored 10 points and 4 assists. In the second quarter, Link scored 4 points with a catch shot after running without the ball and a quick stop jump shot after a test step. After that, he sent two more wonderful passes, assisting Conley and Tony Allen to score one goal each.

If Popovich is to evaluate it, it was Link who guided the Grizzlies' offense in the Spurs' tight defense. Now, the Grizzlies have two brains: Conley and Link.

If you can't solve the problem of Link, the Spurs will never be able to truly save the initiative in your hands. I have to say that this is the first time Popovich has been so distressed about a undraft.

Before the old man could come up with a countermeasure, Hollins paused. Hollins shouted very promptly, and there would be no situation where the momentum was taken away by the other party before calling for a pause.

Link got out of the game panting. Although they played slow-paced games with the Spurs, under high-intensity defense, even Link felt a little difficult to be in good physical condition.

He was very happy that his performance today was not dragged down. He scored 10 points and 4 assists without finishing two quarters. Such a result cannot be said to be poor.

But good personal data does not satisfy Link. He wants to beat the Spurs, and now the Spurs are leading by 6 points.

Hollins is also in a difficult situation now, and he feels like he is being defeated by Popovich. Gasol Jr. does not have the ability to defend three-pointers, so he needs to send a more flexible inside line. But who can choose? Darrell Arthur? His rebounding is too bad, and his stability makes Hollins very worried.

Haddadi? Well, he didn't say it.

To be able to defend against three-pointers on the outside and attack, Hollins suddenly had a bold idea.

※※※

"Matt, you'll continue to look for three shots later. You did a great job today and keep your feel!"

Popovich continued to encourage Bonner, once this "Red Mamba" feels better, it has created miracles.

Just recently in November 2010, Bonner made 7 of 7 three-pointers against the Thunder, knocking the young and energetic Thunder to cry. He also did the 6-for-6 shot before. In short, Bonner is the kind of player who can create magic.

So far today, Bonner made all two shots, making Popovich want him to continue trying. If Duncan and Parker were in poor offensive form, if Bonner could maintain a star goal, it would be twice the result for the Spurs.

After the timeout, the Spurs continued to play with the rosters of Parker, Ginobili, Richard Jefferson, Duncan and Bonner.

But after the Grizzlies players appeared, Popovich was shocked. What tricks did that guy Hollins play?

Conley, Tony Allen, Bathir, Link and Randolph! The Grizzlies were left with only Randolph on the court! Bathir and Link appeared at the same time, and one of them must play the No. 4 position!

"The Grizzlies sent out a one-to-one, four-small?"

"No," Steve Cole hurriedly rejected his partner. "Randolf, the tallest Grizzlies, is only 2.06 meters tall, so to be precise, the Grizzlies have sent a lineup without height."

There was no such thing as five small players at that time, and the Grizzlies' lineup surprised everyone when they saw it.

However, Hollins is not worried about the team's height. Although the highest value is not high, the average value is not short. Compared with the Spurs, only Duncan is more than 2.10 meters tall, so Hollins is not afraid of the team's losses.

Before the Spurs fans closed their mouths, the Grizzlies began to attack. Bathil gave Link a cover. The purpose of this cover was not to allow Link to get an open space, but to force Richard Jefferson and Bonner to switch positions!

Bonner stood in front of Link, and a misaligned opportunity formed instantly. Popovich gritted his teeth. Is this the Grizzlies' strategy?

Link held the ball outside the three-point line and was very calm. He made a few tentative steps, but Bonner was unmoved. So Link made a decisive three-pointer and suddenly pulled up and shot!

Bonner jumped and blocked in a panic, but because he was too anxious, he hit Link's hand directly. The referee whistle sounded and Link failed to make the ball, but he still got the chance to go to the free throw line three times.

"It's really decisive. Don't you think Link's offense has become more mature than before since winning the rookie MVP? Bonner still seems to be a bit difficult to defend Link."

Link went to the free throw line, and he had countless ways to defeat Bonner. Bonner was actually very tough on the defensive end, which is why Gasol Jr. suffered a loss just now.

But Bonner is not that good at defending the outside. This guy is not fast and his judgment of Link's ghostly footsteps is not so accurate. For example, just now, he thought Link would not dare to shoot directly. Who knew that one shot would be deadly.

Link made 2 of 3 free throws, and although he lost one goal, it cost Bonner at least. Hollins' strategy was very simple, allowing Link to continue attacking Bonner, making Bonner the biggest loophole for the Spurs on the defensive end.

In this way, Popovich would definitely not dare to let Bonner appear again. In that case, Hollins could also feel at ease to fight his "Black and White Two Bears" tactics.

Popovich knew that Bonner was targeted, and it was no coincidence that Link and Bathir replaced the position just now. But Popovich also wanted to see Bonner's performance on the offensive end. He wanted to see who the Grizzlies used to play the number four position.

As expected, it was Link who defended Bonner on the defensive end!

"Link defends Bonner, which means he plays to the fourth position. The magical player, he has played in the shooting guard, small forward and power forward in the Grizzlies. In the second and third positions, Link is doing very well. Now let's see how he performs in the fourth position."

Bonner is a space-type four-position, and the low-level threat is not great. This is why Hollins dared to let Link defend him.

This time, when Bonner pulled to the three-point line again, he was no longer alone. Link is not Gasol Jr. He can keep up no matter where Bonner goes.

Bonner also wanted to sit in the inside to play Link alone, but Link's rough push made Bonner unable to even stabilize his position.

Parker dared not easily lob the ball for Bonner. Insiders were also unable to catch the ball without having to stabilize their positions. The Spurs were not the kind of team that liked to take risks, so Parker finally chose someone else.

Richard Jefferson received the basketball at the bottom corner on the right and then shot. But unfortunately, Battier's defense did not make Jefferson much easier. His eye-blocking technique made Jefferson lose all the sight.

Link stuck Bonner behind him the moment Jefferson shot, and then protected the offensive rebounds. The Grizzlies did not lose rebounds because of their height disadvantage. Link has always been an excellent rebounder, even better than Bonner, the serious No. 4 position.

After grabbing the basketball, Link personally controlled the ball and advanced. Just after halftime, he suddenly started to hit the ground and passed it for a long time. A long pass was the most difficult way to grasp the ball, but once it was passed, the viewing and practicality were very gratifying.

And Link has performed his outstanding long-term skills in the ground strikes more than once.

Link's pass passed through the crowd and bounced back to Tony Allen who cut into the penalty area. The Spurs' retreat from defense was ultimately unable to pass Link's pass faster. This pass that crossed the entire defense line eventually formed an assist.

Tony Allen easily scored a layup after receiving the ball, but Ginobili simply did not take off because if he took off, he would have to get one foul.

The entire Grizzlies bench was cheering and watching the Spurs be in control of the situation, Link's appearance once again brought the Grizzlies back to life!

"Blair, prepare to play. Next time you die, you will replace Bonner." Popovich walked to Dejuan Blair, and he had to admit that he could no longer let Bonner stay on the court.

If Bonner continues to play, it will only become a burden. He is targeted by Link on both offense and defense. Replacing Blair is Popovich's only choice. Bonner may still perform magically in the future, but not today.

In this way, Popovich's plan failed again, and both sides must be trapped in a fight with one punch and one kick again. And it was Link who destroyed all this.

Popovich suddenly realized that he could not find a way to deal with that kid for a while.
Chapter completed!