Chapter 22 The Tables Turn

2-0. The Pelicans were leading, a score no one would have predicted before the series.

Especially with Gasol injured in the first game.

But that was the reality, and it verified one thing: the playoffs are a stage for superstars.

The Pelicans had a top superstar.

Now the Pelicans' advancement prospects were bright. As long as they won the next game, they would take a 3-0 lead in the series.

No team in history had ever come back from 0-3. Winning the next game would basically mean winning the series.

And the opportunity was great, because according to the schedule, the next two games were in New Orleans.

The next morning, the Pelicans flew back to New Orleans as a team to prepare for the next two games.

At the afternoon training session, the players looked very relaxed, completely different from the seriousness before the series started.

This change was understandable.

Before the playoffs started, Stevens had the Pelicans watch the live broadcast of the Spurs' and Rockets' first-round game.

Even through the screen, they felt the pressure.

So in the first round against the Warriors, including the first two games against the Spurs, they tensed their nerves and gave it their all.

Davis's outburst in the first game and the high-intensity defense in the second game were the results of their full effort.

But now that the two games were over, and both road games were won, the players naturally relaxed.

Tang Tian didn't show up at the training ground. He went home after returning to New Orleans.

He had run off to play road games only two days after the baby was born, which was really a torment for him.

After two days of rest, the third game of the Pelicans-Spurs series began in New Orleans.

The New Orleans Arena was packed, and the fans' enthusiasm was higher than ever.

Not only the players, but the fans were also more confident than ever.

Keep in mind that their opponents were the Spurs, led by Leonard and George, and coached by Popovich.

But the Pelicans not only seized home-court advantage, but also won two road games in a row.

This meant that they not only had a chance to win the series, but even had a chance to sweep the Spurs.

Sweeping the 70-win Spurs sounded very cool.

And to be a little proud, and think more deeply, sweeping the Spurs meant that playing the Lakers would definitely be a piece of cake.

This Pelicans team wasn't just underestimated a little, it was completely underestimated.

Although their strength was not as good as it was last season when they won 80 games, they were still the best team in the league!

So from the players to the fans, their faces were full of confidence.

In this atmosphere, the game between the two teams officially kicked off.

Popovich changed his lineup for this game, replacing Baynes with Bertans, who was stronger offensively but weaker defensively, as the starter, playing a lineup of one big man and four small men.

Davis blew out Aldridge in the first game, and Popovich's lineup change was equivalent to letting the two match up again.

Moreover, the interior combination of Bertans and Aldridge would be a huge problem defensively.

The fans were even more excited to see this.

Stevens was also surprised, and a confident look that he couldn't hide appeared in his eyes.

The Pelicans won the first two games, and even Popovich was a little flustered.

On the Pelicans' side, Gasol came to the scene, but he was wearing a suit and still couldn't play. Stevens continued to use the lineup of one big man and four small men from the previous game.

Amidst the cheers of the fans, Davis snatched the ball from Aldridge's head back to the Pelicans' half, officially opening the game.

Tang Tian's sudden stop jump shot after breaking through the frontcourt gave the Pelicans a head start.

Everything was developing as the fans on the scene had expected.

But as the game went on, the situation became wrong.

The Pelicans seemed a little overconfident, and their performance on the offensive end, especially the handling of details, was obviously not as good as in the previous two games.

Several offensive plays went wrong and were seized by the Spurs for fast breaks.

Moreover, as the game went on, the reason for Popovich's lineup adjustment also became apparent.

Gasol was injured and unable to play, and Stevens used one big man and four small men, with Davis playing center.

Davis's flexibility on the offensive end had an advantage against Aldridge, but he suffered from a disadvantage in weight on the defensive end, and Siakam's help defense was crucial.

Siakam's performance on the defensive end was very important for the Pelicans to limit the Spurs to only 88 points in the previous game.

But Popovich started Bertans in this game, and the latter lived up to expectations, hitting a three-pointer at the start.

With this, the space on the offensive end for the Spurs came out, and Siakam's help defense was obviously weakened.

The Spurs kept attacking the basket with this in mind.

Davis quickly committed two fouls, and the Pelicans' defense couldn't hold on.

There were problems with the offense, and there were also problems with the defense.

The difficulties faced in this game were somewhat unexpected by Stevens, and by Tang Tian.

Although he tried hard to score points, the Pelicans were never able to turn the tide.

In the end, the Spurs defeated the Pelicans 103-91 on the road, tying the series at 1-2.

Leonard and George combined for 58 points, the number one contributor to the Spurs' victory. Aldridge also had an outstanding performance with 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Tang Tian scored 51 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Although he became the second player after Jordan to score 50+ points in two consecutive playoff games, the loss made this record dim.

After the game, the fans on social media were also discussing it.

"There have been cases in NBA history where a team won two road games first and then lost the series. The most recent one was the Rockets in 2005, the Yao and McGrady team."

"Please, Rockets fans, don't mention it. It hurts when you mention it!"

"The old ginger is still spicy. Popovich's tactics completely suppressed Stevens in this game."

"The drawbacks of Gasol's absence have also emerged. The Pelicans' interior is too weak. Davis can't handle playing like this, and Harrell is too short."

"Pride comes before a fall. I was at the scene, and I felt that excessive confidence from all directions. It's really fatal!"

"Yes, I heard the home commentator analyzing how to play against the Lakers in the next round before the game!"

"Losing this game is really fatal. Originally, if they had gone all out, the Pelicans would have had a very good chance of winning. Now, if the series is dragged on, the Spurs' advantages will gradually be reflected."

"The previous Spurs were always worn down by others, but now they are strong and well-equipped, and Popovich likes to fight a war of attrition the most!"

"Tang has done everything he can do. I hope Gasol will recover soon!"

……

The Pelicans' locker room was a bit dull after the game.

They played with a relaxed mood, but were hit by a blow. It was estimated that it would take some time for everyone from the coaching staff to the players to recover.

And they knew internally that Gasol's ankle sprain was a bit serious, and it would be at least a week before he could return.

It was unknown what the situation of the game would be at that time.

Tang Tian came back after attending the press conference and saw that the players hadn't left yet.

It seemed that losing such a game really depressed them.

"I have to apologize to everyone."

Walking into the locker room, Tang Tian's first sentence made everyone look up in surprise.

Everyone's performance in this game was not good, except for Tang Tian.

Without Tang Tian's mad scoring, with their performance, the game might have been over in three quarters.

But Tang Tian was now apologizing to them?