Davis made the extra point, he was flawless after the opening!

13 to 10!

The Pelicans were leading the Spurs by 3 points!

This kind of start was a first since the series began!

After the first quarter, the Pelicans led the Spurs 32 to 22 by 10 points.

Not trailing in the first quarter but instead taking a double-digit lead was also a first for the Pelicans in the series!

At the end of the quarter, the fans at the scene cheered for the home team in unison.

They really saw the possibility of winning!

However, when the second quarter returned, Leonard came on the court right from the start, bringing the Spurs quickly closer in score.

The first time the Pelicans could lead by so much was related to Davis' outstanding performance, but also to Leonard's early exit.

Now that Leonard was back, you could clearly feel that the backbone of the Spurs had also returned.

Stevens rotated players ahead of time, and the two teams fell into a stalemate.

At the end of the half, the score on the court was 53 all.

The overall strength of the Spurs was still better than that of the Pelicans.

The advantage established in the first quarter was erased in the half, and if this rhythm continues, it will still be very difficult for the Pelicans to win.

Even maintaining the current stalemate is a challenge, knowing that Leonard has excellent adjustment ability and didn't commit a single foul in the second quarter.

In the second half, the Pelicans would no longer have the opportunity like in the first quarter when Leonard wasn't on the court.

"I believe the Spurs will be the champions this season."

At the end of the first half, even Kenny Smith couldn't help but sigh.

"Yes, the Pelicans performed well enough in the first half, but the Spurs still tied the score. They are balanced on offense and defense and have no weaknesses."

O'Neal nodded in agreement.

"Yes, the last team like that was the Pelicans, when Tang, Holiday, Ariza, Davis, and Jokic, they completed a back-to-back championship."

Barkley followed suit.

"So they will also be like the Pelicans back then, taking the championship that belongs to them."

Kenny Smith's final summary was still relatively conservative.

Because no one knows whether Giannis Antetokounmpo will continue to evolve, or how high Luka Dončić's ceiling is, or when Tang Tian will be inspired to come back.

There are too many variables in the future, but what they can determine now is that the Spurs have the best chance of winning the championship this season.

Just as they were talking eloquently, sharp-eyed fans noticed that Tang Tian went to the Pelicans' locker room and returned halfway through the halftime break.

No one knows what he went to do.

Back from the halftime break, Stevens made another change, replacing Brogdon with Gasol and pushing Durant to the shooting guard position.

This was completely letting Durant play the role of Tang Tian in the past.

From this change, you can also see the pressure Stevens is now under. He also knows very well what caused the lead in the first quarter, and the second quarter was the result.

Continuing the rhythm of the first half would most likely lead to the Pelicans losing. Taking the initiative to change and gamble seems to be his style.

Back in the second half, the Spurs attacked first, and Leonard hit a mid-range shot with a screen from Aldridge.

He continued his excellent performance from the first half.

Durant's shot against George didn't go in.

After all, Durant can't completely ignore George to that extent. In a one-on-one situation, he actually has limited advantages over George.

There was a commotion on the sidelines.

With one attack and one defense, even though the Pelicans made adjustments, the Spurs still quickly took the initiative at the beginning of the second half, just like at the start.

In the first half, the Pelicans changed the situation with Davis' outstanding performance and Leonard's two fouls.

But it's hard to have such an opportunity a second time.

Leonard continued to hold the ball in the frontcourt and called for a pick-and-roll.

At this moment, Stevens waved his hand, and the Pelicans' defense changed.

At the moment the pick-and-roll formed, Davis ignored Aldridge and went directly to double-team Leonard.

Tang Tian went to communicate with Stevens during halftime, and the two of them focused on discussing the issue of double-teaming Leonard.

Passing the ball is Leonard's only weakness, but it's also a point that can be targeted.

Tang Tian was targeted by the entire league back then, and now that Tang Tian has retired, it's Leonard's turn.

This trick really worked, Leonard couldn't pass the ball in the double-team, and he didn't want to shoot hastily, so he was defended tightly by Gasol and Davis.

At the last moment, he could only be forced to call a timeout.

Popovich looked unhappy with a black face, after all, the second half had only started for more than two minutes.

But this also gave him a signal that the Pelicans were preparing to double-team Leonard in the second half.

Back from the timeout, Leonard went from having the ball to being off the ball. Popovich's adjustment was very timely.

But Leonard is not Tang Tian, ​​and his off-ball threat is obviously smaller than his on-ball threat.

Leonard cut to the basket with a screen from Aldridge, and White passed the ball to the ground.

*Pa!*

Davis rushed out from the side and directly stole the ball!

This came very suddenly, and after Davis stole the ball, he made an immediate forward pass to Holiday, and Holiday scored 2 points on a fast break.

55 all!

On the court, the Pelicans only tied the score, but in terms of momentum, the Pelicans had already started to build momentum.

Leonard ran off-ball again in the frontcourt, White didn't dare to pass the ball randomly anymore, he finally broke through to the basket and made a layup with Aldridge.

But just as he broke through, a figure flew to help defend.

It was Davis again!

*Bang!*

A huge block!

After Stevens put Davis back at the power forward position, his help defense ability began to show.

After the block, he also gave the ball to Holiday next to him as soon as possible, and buried his head and ran down quickly.

The Pelicans had a 4-on-3 advantage in the frontcourt, which then turned into a 3-on-2, and Brogdon made a fake breakthrough and a real pass to Davis in the middle.

Davis slammed the ball into the basket over Forbes.

*Boom!*

Top 5 plays of the day!

Davis with a block, fast break with a powerful dunk over the defender!

The entire New Orleans arena was boiling.

Although this ball was only worth 2 points, it was magnificent and soul-stirring.

Davis was already brave enough in the first half, and he still had such a strong performance in the second half.

Davis is really different tonight!

Tang Tian also reached out and applauded Davis for the ball just now. His and Stevens' strategy plus Davis' bravery, the Pelicans' winning was gradually becoming a reality!

Leonard held the ball in the frontcourt, shot before the double-team.

*Clang!*

Hit the rim and bounced out!

After Leonard was double-teamed, his shooting opportunities and scoring efficiency both declined!

He was paying his tuition!

Turning around, Durant and Davis pick-and-roll, Durant broke through and passed to Davis, Davis shot a three-pointer at the top of the arc.

*Swish!*

A crisp sound, Davis also got a three-pointer!

Davis was on fire tonight!

60 to 55!

Leonard was still on the court, but the Pelicans still widened the point difference!

The Spurs made a mistake in the chaos, and George's pass was intercepted by Holiday, who made a fast break to the frontcourt and scored another 2 points!

The point difference came to 7 points!

The camera showed the Spurs' bench, Popovich's face turned from red to black, and then to iron-blue.

Originally, it would be most appropriate for him to call a timeout now that the Pelicans were gaining momentum, but Leonard had called that damn timeout early!