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***
On the evening of June 13, 2005, in the ABC studio, during halftime, host Mike Tirico once again exclaimed:
"This is a game without the New York Knicks' style that I have witnessed."
Mike Tirico, wearing glasses and a bit overweight, has been the host of the ABC Finals studio since 2003.
He witnessed the New York Knicks of the Mike D'Antoni era.
Fast-paced, fluid offense was the defending champion's hallmark, but tonight's G3 overturned his previous impression.
50:51, at halftime, the San Antonio Spurs were up by 1 point again.
After shooting 6-of-22 from beyond the arc in the previous game, the New York Knicks were even more cautious with their shooting tonight.
Greg Anthony saw his partner next to him remain silent and simply added:
"More rotations, more help Defense and double teams, the New York Knicks' Defense is more like the San Antonio Spurs."
"The two teams played completely opposite games. The San Antonio Spurs were more willing to shoot from beyond the arc. They seemed to have become more confident. Head Coach Popovich clearly learned from his failures."
Bill Walton noticed both of them looking at him, shrugged his shoulders, and said uncertainly:
"Both sides are learning from each other, but I'm not sure if the San Antonio Spurs can hold on until the end."
"Like many big men, I also don't like three-pointers. They represent uncertainty."
"Horry's miraculous performance from beyond the arc in the last game saved the San Antonio Spurs, but I don't think such an experience can be replicated."
"But I like Clay Lee's performance. His drives can change the opponent's Defense. He didn't shoot over two defenders. That was the right choice."
Mike Tirico was surprised that the legendary player had changed his tune and said with a hint of astonishment:
"Old-school basketball can also win games. Perhaps after tonight's game, some commentators will change their evaluation of Clay Lee."
The studio naturally enjoyed seeing such a close game, but in the SBC ball, San Antonio Spurs fans were a bit anxious.
In the first half, the San Antonio Spurs used a 7-man rotation, with Udrih, the Rookie, being excluded from the rotation at critical moments.
The New York Knicks, however, were different.
Even Anderson VarejĂŁo, the benchwarmer, played for over a minute.
To avoid foul trouble, they used a 9-man rotation tonight.
Manu Ginobili was completely "Moreyball-ized".
Apart from three-pointers, all his other shots were in the paint.
He shot 5-of-9 in the half, 1-of-3 from beyond the arc, and 2-of-2 from the free-throw line, contributing a team-high 13 points.
Parker also shot 5-of-9, scoring 10 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 turnovers.
Frequently double-teamed, the San Antonio Spurs shot boldly, going 4-of-13 from beyond the arc, with their halftime three-point percentage just reaching 30%.
While many players were still studying post-up techniques, Manu Ginobili was already on the path of imitating Clay Lee.
In these Finals, the Argentinian truly made a name for himself.
Gregg Popovich also kept up with the times, giving the ball to Manu Ginobili early on.
With a large number of three-pointers, the San Antonio Spurs no longer insisted on inefficient long two-pointers.
As the second half was about to begin, before walking out of the player tunnel, Duncan reminded Parker again:
"Keep shooting, we can win the game!"
His body still not in optimal condition, Duncan hoped that the two of them could handle more possessions.
In the third quarter, he could focus on rebounding and screens, trying to conserve energy.
After many matchups against Derek Fisher, Parker had regained his confidence and turned his head, saying loudly:
"Three home games, we can get to match point!"
After returning to San Antonio, he finally regained face in front of Eva.
With the opponent missing shots, Parker was in high spirits and was already fantasizing about the championship night.
Although Gregg Popovich was worried about Manu Ginobili's turnovers, he didn't show much emotion on his face.
As the San Antonio Spurs players returned to the court, the noise filled their ears.
Gregg Popovich once again pulled Manu Ginobili in front of him and earnestly instructed him:
"Be careful! Don't turn the ball over, don't give the opponent easy scoring opportunities."
Manu Ginobili knew that the Head Coach was telling him not to make risky passes, so he quickly nodded and then ran to half-court.
"Go San Antonio Spurs go!"
With the baseline inbound, the San Antonio Spurs fans cheered loudly.
Mike D'Antoni stood nearby with his arms crossed, and seeing the San Antonio Spurs still put out two big men, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Both teams continued with their starting lineups, and neither coaching staff risked changing their tactics.
Amidst the cheers, in the first offensive possession, as Manu Ginobili slipped from left to right along the baseline, quickly executing a cross screen with Bruce Bowen, Tayshaun Prince immediately switched.
Lee followed Parker to a position near the left wing.
The San Antonio Spurs' tactical initiation speed was extremely fast.
As soon as the ball was stopped up top, Manu Ginobili had already popped out.
On the right elbow, using Duncan's screen, the moment Manu Ginobili received Parker's pass, Tayshaun Prince powerfully squeezed through, and Kurt Thomas immediately shifted sideways.
Before the two could form a double-team, Manu Ginobili put the ball down with his left hand and took a big dribble step, faking a drive, forcing Kurt Thomas to shift to his right rear.
After faking out his opponent's center of gravity, he immediately stopped short.
Manu Ginobili leaned against Tayshaun Prince beside him, then delivered a bounce pass with his left hand.
Duncan, popping out sideways, got an opportunity.
Seeing Kurt Thomas symbolically raise his hand, he decisively shot a mid-range jumper that clanked off the rim.
The rebound was easily secured by Pau Gasol.
Amidst the fans' sighs, Lee received the ball and slowly dribbled it past half-court.
In the past, the New York Knicks had more ball handlers, but in these Finals, the situation was not ideal.
In G3, Tayshaun Prince performed poorly, and tonight, the tactical focus shifted back to the interior.
Raja Bell still ran to the left wing early.
Clay Lee dribbled past the mid-court line, and on the baseline, Kurt Thomas also completed a cross screen with Pau Gasol.
Quickly moving to the right low post to demand the ball with his back to the basket, as Pau Gasol raised his arms, Lee immediately passed the ball to Tayshaun Prince.
Receiving the ball on the right wing, Tayshaun Prince smoothly lobbed the ball to Pau Gasol in the low post.
As Lee ran to the right corner, Tayshaun Prince set an off-ball screen, and Bruce Bowen immediately switched to Lee's side.
Parker was prepared, but after a brief screen, Tayshaun Prince cut to the middle.
Using his height advantage, Tayshaun Prince, who received the ball near the free-throw line from Pau Gasol, immediately gathered the ball, ignored the defender beside him, and drove straight to the basket.
As Mohammed just moved near the rim, Tayshaun Prince, while in motion, passed the ball to Kurt Thomas, who was unguarded near the left baseline.
As the mid-range jumper clanked off the rim, San Antonio Spurs fans cheered.
Protecting the rebound was more difficult than Gregg Popovich had imagined.
After passing the ball, Tayshaun Prince didn't stop, squeezing Parker behind him and heading straight for the rim.
At the same time, Pau Gasol also squeezed towards the basket, plus Kurt Thomas also rushed to grab the rebound.
The New York Knicks were again three-on-two for the rebound.
The basketball was first tipped by Duncan, then Pau Gasol poked it from behind.
Mohammed was still pulling Tayshaun Prince, and Kurt Thomas was rushing for the rebound on the other side.
After jumping twice in the air, Duncan finally managed to secure the defensive rebound.
Although there was no fast break, the San Antonio Spurs fans still cheered loudly.
This was a successful Defense.
Lee retreated early, constantly high-fiving, indicating that this was a successful play.
The San Antonio Spurs then ran a tactic familiar to the New York Knicks.
As Duncan and Mohammed stood at the left and right elbows, they set a "V-shaped" screen for Parker.
Dribbling behind his back to his left hand and accelerating sideways, Parker used the screen to shake off Lee's pursuit.
As he approached the left wing, Kurt Thomas had already gone up for a big hedge, and at the same time, Raja Bell, who was guarding the left corner, also moved up.
Facing an impending double-team, Parker threw the ball with one hand to Manu Ginobili in the left corner.
Facing Raja Bell's sliding recovery, Manu Ginobili, upon receiving the ball, quickly took a probing step with his right foot, immediately forcing his opponent to slow down.
Watching the opponent retract his foot for a pull-up jumper, Raja Bell leaped to defend, but the ball ultimately clanked off the rim.
"Oh!"
Amidst the fans' sighs, the San Antonio Spurs did not contest the rebound.
The two big men up top quickly retreated to half-court.
Lee, who picked up the long rebound, still didn't rush to attack.
As he dribbled past the half-court arc, near the three-point line, Bruce Bowen on the right wing once again provided help Defense.
As Lee passed the ball to Tayshaun Prince, Bruce Bowen chased back, and Mohammed spread his arms, timely rotating and switching positions.
Tayshaun Prince, who received the ball, also didn't hesitate.
He put the ball down with his right hand and drove forward. Facing Mohammed's sliding help Defense, he drove to the right block and suddenly stopped short, stepping back sideways.
Instead of passing the ball to the open Kurt Thomas, Tayshaun Prince decisively shot a mid-range jumper.
The basketball once again clanked off the rim, and Duncan under the basket faced a one-on-two situation again.
Although he had boxed out Pau Gasol behind him, Kurt Thomas leaped high, snatching the rebound in front of Duncan and calmly tipping the ball in.
52:51, the New York Knicks took the lead.
"Boo!"
Boos erupted in the SBC Center.
At the commentary table, Hubie Brown chuckled and commented:
"They went all out for rebounds in the first half of the quarter, and now they're letting loose on offense in the second half."
"It's time to test the San Antonio Spurs' resilience. Mike D'Antoni is using Clay Lee to disrupt the game."
The San Antonio Spurs quickly responded. Duncan once again used a baseline cross screen and quickly moved to the left elbow.
As Parker dribbled the ball towards the right baseline, Manu Ginobili, who was on the left baseline, accelerated and took a handoff pass.
The moment he received the ball, he faked right and drove left.
Manu Ginobili, with the ball in his left hand, broke through with a crossover step, getting ahead of Raja Bell, and drove straight to the basket.
Kurt Thomas, who had quickly returned to Defense, committed a foul, and the cheers in the SBC Center erupted again.
Manu Ginobili, with his long hair flowing, pumped his fist and high-fived Duncan in celebration.
He was equally adept at two-on-two situations.
While at the free-throw line, Manu Ginobili even looked at Clay Lee and shouted loudly:
"You have no chance!"
The San Antonio Spurs fans in the front row were exceptionally excited, standing up and cheering.
Lee, with his hands on his hips outside the three-point line, laughed happily and retorted:
"Did you pop champagne at halftime?"
Manu Ginobili, who made both free throws, wanted to retort, but Duncan quickly pulled his teammate away for a fast retreat.
In the next few minutes, the San Antonio Spurs continued to double-team and hedge, and Clay Lee still passed the ball early.
Pau Gasol started low-post offense.
With Tayshaun Prince's offensive rebound, Kurt Thomas, who had a poor shooting touch, scored again off a frontcourt rebound.
Raja Bell, who snuck along the baseline, also managed to draw a foul.
The repetitive tactics allowed the simple three-man cooperation to constantly respond.
When there were 6 minutes and 39 seconds left in the 3rd quarter, Mike D'Antoni called a timeout.
62:61, the New York Knicks still led by 1 point.
Except for Amar'e Stoudemire, who was unhappy being benched, everyone on the New York Knicks had smiles on their faces.
During this period, Pau Gasol and Tayshaun Prince continuously delivered passes.
In the commentary booth, Michaels couldn't help but exclaim loudly:
"They perfectly countered the opponent's double-team. The New York Knicks suddenly switched to a different system and can still attack fluently."
Hubie Brown, however, was not surprised and simply commented:
"More and more teams are starting to incorporate the Princeton offense, just as the San Antonio Spurs are beginning to emulate the New York Knicks. The defending champions are also improving."
"Modern basketball emphasizes space more. The big man's role is no longer just single screens and rebounds. They will become the starting point of tactics."
After the timeout, the New York Knicks brought in Derek Fisher.
Pau Gasol was still in.
For the San Antonio Spurs, Horry entered, replacing Mohammed.
Both sides, by unspoken agreement, put on lineups with better spacing.
The difference was that Mike D'Antoni still did not use Amar'e Stoudemire.
The San Antonio Spurs' Defense remained active in rotations.
As Pau Gasol received the ball at the top of the arc, Derek Fisher ran to the left baseline, and Lee also started from the right baseline.
At the free-throw line, Bruce Bowen constantly pulled and tugged.
Lee stopped his feet, and Tayshaun Prince immediately stepped forward for an off-ball screen.
In the right elbow area, Lee, moving horizontally, ran towards the top.
Derek Fisher slipped along the baseline, and Tayshaun Prince moved towards the left baseline.
Although Bruce Bowen squeezed through the screen, he failed to prevent Lee from receiving the ball in time.
At the top of the arc, when Pau Gasol completed the handoff pass, Duncan rushed over again, attempting to double-team with Bruce Bowen.
However, after playing for more than half a quarter, Duncan's physical stamina decreased, and his movement speed slowed down.
Lee, holding the ball in his left hand and accelerating horizontally, lowered his center of gravity and forcefully broke through on the left wing, bumping against Duncan.
Bruce Bowen was still chasing from behind, and Horry also tried to step forward to delay, but Lee, who quickly gained more than half a step, immediately threw the ball towards the basket.
The ball was faster than the man.
Pau Gasol, who was cutting down, received the ball and finished with a one-handed dunk!
"Boo!"
Boos once again echoed through the SBC Center.
Clay Lee and Pau Gasol simply high-fived in celebration.
Head Coach Gregg Popovich on the sideline, of course, knew that the opponent was deliberately wearing down Duncan, but in such a crucial game, he dared not substitute his core player, fearing that the game would be lost if he wasn't careful.
Fortunately, the San Antonio Spurs quickly responded.
Parker, facing Derek Fisher's swipe Defense, drove hard from the top of the arc and quickly scored 2 points with a floater in the paint.
In the next few minutes, the game rhythm suddenly accelerated.
With the same tactics, Lee continuously delivered assists, and in return, Duncan and Parker scored with isolation plays.
Gregg Popovich loudly reminded his players to slow down, but Parker was determined to attack when facing Derek Fisher.
When there were 2 minutes and 43 seconds left in the 3rd quarter, the score was 72:72.
Parker missed a floater and was annoyingly waving his hand as he retreated on Defense.
As Derek Fisher dribbled past half-court, the New York Knicks once again ran the same play.
At the top of the arc, it was still Pau Gasol who received the ball.
When Lee came to the free-throw line and popped out again with the help of Tayshaun Prince's screen, Bruce Bowen failed to squeeze through in time.
Horry also failed to switch Defense immediately.
Duncan only realized something was wrong when he saw Lee take the handoff pass.
Lee, who had shaken off his defender, was not dribbling at this moment.
He caught the ball, stopped abruptly, ignored Duncan who was rushing to defend him through another player, and launched a long-range three-point jump shot from the top of the arc!
"Swish!" The three-pointer went in cleanly.
75:72, Lee made his first field goal of the quarter.
The San Antonio Spurs' Defense had its first lapse.
Gregg Popovich paced back and forth on the sideline, not calling a timeout, but loudly reminded Parker to calm down.
In the previous plays, they had kept the score close through Manu Ginobili's free throws, Duncan's finishes at the basket, role players getting easy points, and Parker's drives.
At a crucial moment, Parker dribbled past half-court and immediately passed the ball to Duncan in the right elbow area.
On the right wing, Clay Lee was still pulling and tugging with Manu Ginobili.
Duncan turned his body, Manu Ginobili moved towards the top, then suddenly accelerated and ran back.
Lee followed with a slide step.
His opponent stopped abruptly, accelerated a second time, and continued to stick to his Defense.
Unable to complete the handoff pass, Duncan quickly raised the ball, while Manu Ginobili immediately moved away from the three-point line, only then safely receiving possession.
Noticing the movement behind him, at the moment Duncan stepped forward, Lee directly went under for Defense.
Manu Ginobili, with the ball in his left hand, used a sufficiently long acceleration distance to instantly squeeze past Pau Gasol's side.
Approaching the three-point line, seeing Lee sticking to his Defense, Manu Ginobili didn't slow down. Instead, he increased his stride, leaned into the defender, and gathered the ball directly near the free-throw line.
As he took off for a three-step drive, Manu Ginobili also had a change of pace.
Clay Lee deliberately slowed his steps, adjusting his footwork in advance.
Sensing the sudden decrease in defensive pressure beside him, Manu Ginobili, with the ball in his left hand in mid-air, leaned in for a scoop shot, while simultaneously extending his right arm, attempting to protect the ball.
The moment the basketball left his hand, Manu Ginobili felt a surge of joy.
Just as the basketball was about to reach its highest point, the San Antonio Spurs fans shrieked in surprise.
"Oh!"
Coming from behind, Lee exploded directly in front of the basket, taking off straight up and down, swinging his right arm, and directly swatting the ball sideways.
Tayshaun Prince, on the left baseline, reacted incredibly fast, grabbing the ball and initiating a fast break with long strides.
Horry looked at Manu Ginobili, who had fallen under the basket, and didn't bother to help his teammate up, quickly chasing after the play.
Lee, receiving the ball in the middle, turned with the momentum, switched to his left hand, and evaded Duncan who was rushing to defend him.
Parker watched Derek Fisher charge head-down, heading straight for the left baseline, and for a moment could only follow on Defense.
Horry reacted quickly, timely chasing and defending alongside Lee.
Amidst the fans' exclamations, the two instantly arrived on the left wing.
Duncan retreated to the paint in time, and before he could direct Manu Ginobili, who was chasing from behind, Lee had already driven hard to the basket.
Horry continuously slid backward to the right, and Bruce Bowen, who had just run to the vicinity of the right baseline, also cooperated by collapsing.
Seeing that several San Antonio Spurs players were almost all in the paint, Lee jumped to pass the ball, immediately throwing it to the right baseline.
After completing the pass, Lee did not stop his feet.
He landed in the paint and accelerated again, running towards the right wing.
Tayshaun Prince was setting an off-ball screen near the elbow at this time, forcing Horry, who still wanted to chase on Defense, to slow down.
Bruce Bowen, who was defending the baseline, could only watch Raja Bell deliver the pass.
The ball and player arrived simultaneously. Lee, who had just arrived on the right wing, was unguarded.
Without adjusting, he caught the ball and shot!
"Swish!" The three-pointer went in again.
78:72. Gregg Popovich immediately called a timeout.
The SBC Center suddenly fell silent, then erupted in loud boos.
Clay Lee put his left hand to his ear, making a listening gesture.
The New York Knicks players jumped and celebrated, and the boos grew even louder for a moment.
Hubie Brown looked at Duncan, who was taking deep breaths, and then glanced at Lee, who was still showing off in front of the fans, and suddenly felt that the game situation had changed:
"The San Antonio Spurs must adjust in time. The New York Knicks' tactics succeeded. Clay Lee is starting to take over the game."
Michaels was still giving advice to the San Antonio Spurs.
On the bench, Gregg Popovich held the tactical board and said loudly to Duncan:
"Tim, hold on a little longer!"
"."
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