8 to 9!

Despite Durant’s unstoppable start with 9 consecutive points, Tang Tian contributed 5 points with an assist and a score, helping the Spurs stay close.

The Spurs weren’t losing to the Thunder in terms of performance!

During the Thunder’s offense, Tang Tian began to limit Durant’s opportunities to receive the ball.

With no good receiving opportunities, Westbrook attempted a breakthrough but missed.

Splitter secured the defensive rebound.

The Spurs advanced to the frontcourt, and Tang Tian continued to run for a three-point opportunity.

Sefolosha was blocked by Duncan, and Ibaka couldn’t quite keep up with Tang Tian's speed in his chase.

Seeing this, Durant turned to help, but just as he arrived, Tang Tian, without even turning his head, glanced and sent the ball out directly.

The basketball accurately reached Green's hands.

Green's first shot of the game.

"Swish!"

The shot went in!

After being squeezed out of the starting position by Tang Tian last season, and with Ginobili at shooting guard, Green appeared more often as a substitute small forward, with less playing time than when he was a starter.

But he didn't give up, or complain like Jefferson.

What he did was continue to work hard and adjust his competitive state to its best.

He really did what he had told Tang Tian at the beginning, engaging in healthy competition with Tang Tian.

As a result of the competition, he averaged 2.2 three-pointers per game in the preseason.

This open opportunity just now gave people a sense of solidity that wasn't there last season.

11 to 9!

The Spurs took the lead!

Brooks reached out and called a timeout.

Whistles echoed throughout the arena.

"Green, Tang, Leonard, they are all improving. The Spurs didn't make any reinforcements in the summer, but they have become stronger than last season."

Kenny Smith observed keenly.

This is why basketball games aren't just about looking at the roster on paper.

Before the game really starts, you don't know their chemistry, you don't know their state.

Of course, there is also what Smith said just now, the progress and regression of the players.

So the analysis and predictions are just analysis and predictions. Only when the regular season really starts with everyone playing can you see the true strength of a team.

"Don't easily double-team Tang, his passing is very threatening now, try to switch as quickly as possible."

Brooks said quickly.

Although not a tactical coach, he still has good insight.

When the timeout returned, the Thunder’s offense saw Durant draw the defense, Westbrook broke through and passed to Ibaka, and Ibaka scored with a one-handed dunk.

The Thunder's bench erupted, this dunk really boosted morale.

11 all!

The game became anxious!

The Spurs proved that they still have the strength to win the championship, and the Thunder also showed their confidence to continue to compete for the championship!

The Spurs continued to run the hammer tactic in the frontcourt.

Duncan dominated the inside in last season's Finals, winning the FMVP with his offensive and defensive prowess, but he couldn't and wouldn't play like that in the regular season.

These old guys need to save their energy for the playoffs, and in the regular season they basically cooperate with the team to run tactics.

Ai hammer tactic, Tang Tian used Duncan's screen at the arc to create an opportunity.

Durant didn't help, and Ibaka's help defense was a little slow. After receiving the ball, Tang Tian shot a three-pointer directly.

"Swish!"

The three-pointer was clean!

Tang Tian's second three-pointer in the first quarter!

Kobe wrote this in *The Mamba Mentality*: The NBA season is long and hard, and most players reduce their training volume during the offseason, but he doesn't. He even increases his training volume because he has more time, which is why he maintains a first-class competitive state every season.

Tang Tian doesn't have the Mamba Mentality, but his offseason approach coincides with Kobe's.

So the result is the same as Kobe's: he has the same, or even more stable, three-point shooting ability than last season!

Durant continued to show his "illusory" ability, drawing a defensive foul on Tang Tian with a dribble and layup on the offensive end.

Two free throws made.

He scored his 11th point of the quarter!

In the Spurs' offense, Tang Tian continued to run, and after the Thunder's defense was held back by him, Splitter had a chance under the basket.

However, Ibaka's help defense was in place, blocking the shot directly.

Duncan anticipated the play, jumped up and grabbed the offensive rebound, and threw it directly to Tang Tian on the outside.

Tang Tian received the ball and saw Durant coming to help, faking a pass inside to force him back, and then shooting.

"Swish!"

The basketball went straight through the net!

Consecutive three-pointers!

The 3rd three-pointer of the quarter!

Tang Tian has also scored 9 points without realizing it!

"Beautiful cooperation!" Barkley said excitedly in the commentary box.

He bet with O'Neal on the pink dress dunk, and he is a die-hard Spurs fan this season!

"Tang is playing really smart." Smith also echoed from the side.

The combination of penetration and shooting is a very important step for a scorer to mature.

Being able to do these two aspects well will definitely have a place in the league. Jamal Crawford and Nick Young are this type of player, and "offensive kaleidoscope" Anthony is at the top level.

But in fact, the advantages and disadvantages of this type of player will be very obvious, because they will not pass the ball. When the opponent starts to double-team, the offensive efficiency will decline significantly.

Therefore, the real superstars are those who combine breakthroughs, shots, and passes, such as Jordan, Kobe, and James.

Because of the needs of the Spurs system, Tang Tian prioritized passing at the beginning.

This is like allocating skill points. He did not develop in the direction of Crawford, but first went in the direction of Danny Green in his previous life.

Because of the threat of passing, opponents dare not easily help defend, and it is this freedom that gives him more space to shoot.

And he has already proven last season that as long as he is given space, he can score!

Passing is not the goal, scoring is the meaning!

Durant's shot in the frontcourt missed, and looking back, with Durant's help defense, Tang Tian passed a bounce pass to Green, and Green hit another open three-pointer.

This time, the Thunder completely dared not press.

Tang Tian played the entire first quarter, with a hot three-point touch, hitting 5 of 7 shots for 15 points, and also contributing 3 assists!

Brooks looked a little helpless on the sidelines.

Tang Tian can run, and Sefolosha alone can't lock him down.

In this case, if the Thunder go up to help defend, Tang Tian will pass.

Moreover, this is not just an ordinary pass, it is the kind of pass that catches your defensive loopholes and is likely to be converted into a deadly assist!

But if you don't press, Tang Tian's ability to seize opportunities on the outside is too strong, and 5 three-pointers in a single quarter will make you doubt your life.

Moreover, the strength of the other Spurs players is not weak at all. If you really focus on defense, Duncan and Parker are not vegetarians either.

Specific skills, specific teams, specific players.

Tang Tian of the Spurs, a role player, has become a problem that the Thunder cannot solve at all on the defensive end tonight.