Chapter 627 The Final Day of the Regular Season

April 18th, the final day of the NBA regular season.

The Pelicans and Spurs game tipped off in San Antonio.

Because it was rumored before the game that both teams’ cores wouldn't play, not many fans came to the arena, only about sixty percent capacity.

After the opening ceremony, the starting lineups of both teams were introduced, just as rumored before the game.

For the Spurs, GDP, Leonard, and Aldridge were all resting, with only Green playing in the starting lineup.

Besides Green, the guards were Mills and Belinelli, and the forwards were Diaw and Baynes.

They were resting thoroughly.

However, the Pelicans were similar, with their two cores, Tang Tian and Davis, resting, and Holiday and Ariza also sitting out.

The starting lineup consisted of Dinwiddie and Bryn Forbes in the backcourt, Bojan and Aminu on the front line, and Jokic at center.

The outcome of this game was insignificant, but because the Pelicans had already broken the record, fans wanted them to add another win.

But because it was the Spurs' home game, the Spurs fans at the AT&T Center didn't think so; they definitely wanted to win any game they could.

The game started quickly.

Jokic secured the first possession for the Pelicans. He held the ball high up and organized the offense, with Forbes and Bojan running three-point plays.

The outcome was insignificant, but the game wasn't just a formality; taking advantage of the absence of the two cores, Stevens used the game as practice.

Bojan was heavily guarded and didn't have a chance, but Forbes moved well and found an opening.

Jokic passed the ball quickly.

Forbes caught the ball and was decisive, shooting without hesitation.

"Swish!"

An important aspect of shooting is confidence, and Forbes, as the record holder for the most three-pointers in a single game in the NCAA's top ten conferences, had the ability.

First start, first three-point attempt, and he made it.

Although Forbes rarely had playing opportunities before, he performed well right from the start today.

The Pelicans' bench cheered.

Tang Tian and Davis both got up to applaud the youngster.

Tang Tian smiled and sat back down, feeling a sense of déjà vu.

Four years ago, he was Forbes, and GDP was on the sidelines cheering him on.

He turned his head to look at GDP chatting excitedly, feeling inexplicably sad.

Next season, he wouldn't see this scene again.

"Tang, do you think we'll play the Spurs again?"

Davis turned to Tang Tian and asked.

Sitting in the VIP seats, the biggest feeling was boredom, and Davis had started looking for topics to chat about.

Tang Tian smiled and glanced at Davis.

Davis had really changed a lot this year under Stevens' coaching, from a dork to a suave guy to a sunny boy now.

"Hard to say."

Hard to say was Tang Tian's brief and clear answer.

Even if the Spurs made it past the first round, they would face the Warriors in the second round.

Although the Warriors had used up a lot of energy in the regular season, after resting in the first round, they still had a significant advantage against the Spurs.

Speaking of which, this was also an important reason why he wanted to exchange jerseys in this game.

Because this might really be the last time he faced Duncan on the court.

"But anything is possible."

Tang Tian then added.

Last summer's arms race in the West had completely messed up the playoff matchups, and no one knew what would happen.

"I do hope to play them again. I want to go up against Tim again, just like you and Kobe."

Davis continued.

Tang Tian laughed after hearing this. Davis's unspoken meaning was that he considered Duncan his role model and goal.

The game on the court continued.

With Bojan attracting the Spurs' defense, Forbes had many opportunities tonight, and his touch was hot.

In the first half alone, he made 5 three-pointers and scored a team-high 15 points, a very impressive performance.

Not many fans were online, but those watching the game couldn't help but marvel at the Pelicans' strength, that even a bench player could play so well.

At the end of the first half, the two teams were tied at 45, and both returned to the locker room to rest.

However, Tang Tian didn't leave; he and Ginobili stayed to participate in the halftime activity.

The arena had informed Tang Tian in advance that he and Ginobili would compete in a halftime three-point contest, with the winner donating $50,000 to a local charity.

Tang Tian and Ginobili met at center court, shook hands, and patted each other's butts, as familiar as old lovers.

Neither of them had super-long range, so it was basically a matter of luck.

Neither of them made their first four shots, until the fifth shot, when Tang Tian's super-long shot went in cleanly, killing the game.

After making the super-long shot, Tang Tian shouted excitedly a couple of times and jokingly made a "you suck" gesture at Ginobili, causing Ginobili to laugh.

Speaking of which, this was the first time he had made a super-long three-pointer in front of so many people, and it felt amazing.

He could now understand Curry very well, and had added super-long three-pointers to his "spend money to get good" plan.

The crowd cheered continuously.

Ever since the knot in his heart was untied, the fans here had returned to their old attitude towards Tang Tian.

Duncan and Parker didn't return to the locker room either, and after Tang Tian made the shot, they came up to congratulate him.

Tang Tian hugged GDP one by one, just like when he was still with the Spurs.

It was a pity that Popovich had already returned to the locker room, or else who knew if the old geezer would have red eyes.

Back from the halftime break, the Spurs increased their defensive intensity on Forbes, and Forbes' opportunities decreased.

But Bojan started to fire up.

The Pelicans tonight were a poor man's Splash Brothers.

The two teams played very anxiously on the court, and the game wasn't decided until the final seconds.

Diaw's hook shot after a series of spins under the basket completed a near-game-winner, igniting the atmosphere at the AT&T Center.

But on the next possession, with 1 second left on the clock, Forbes found an opening, caught Jokic's pass, and hit his 7th three-pointer of the game.

Also the most crucial three-pointer.

This three-pointer was a one-hit kill, helping the Pelicans narrowly beat the Spurs by 1 point and secure their 74th win of the season.

When the final buzzer sounded, all the Pelicans players were celebrating around Forbes.

Today, this young player made 7 three-pointers and scored 23 points, the highest score on the team, and was the number one contributor to the team's victory.

Moreover, his near-game-winner helped the Pelicans get 74 wins.

Stevens didn't want to break the record, but the Pelicans broke it anyway, and by more than just one game!

Small guy, big energy, Forbes tonight really resembled Tang Tian during his time with the Spurs.

After celebrating for Forbes, Tang Tian found Duncan on the bench.

The two of them started a jersey exchange on the Spurs' bench.

The on-site photographers quickly captured this scene and projected it onto the on-site LED screen.

This caused the Pelicans' celebration to stop, and the entire arena focused their attention on Tang Tian and Duncan.

Tang Tian and Duncan completed the jersey exchange, and the two smiled and posed for the cameras.

The crowd cheered.

Only around Tang Tian would Duncan smile so openly.

After exchanging jerseys, Duncan reached out and touched Tang Tian's head.

"Now the future is yours."

Tang Tian didn't refuse, and smiled as Duncan touched him.

Everything, as before.