After the halftime break...

In less than four minutes of the third quarter, Ginobili, who was substituted by Popovich, once again intensified the panic atmosphere in the ATT Center.

In the first half of this period, the golden wave showed signs of surging.

Right at the start, Qin Yue hit a three-pointer from each 45-degree angle on the left and right sides.

These two three-pointers fully demonstrated Qin Yue's calmness and composure in breaking through the Spurs' zone defense tonight.

Regarding this, Popovich complained to Avery Johnson: "How did Avery teach the Mavericks? Why is this kid shooting better and better in the playoffs?"

As everyone knows, a basketball player's shooting touch often has inertia.

So, at this moment, Popovich was not deliberately shifting the blame.

It was that under the Mavericks' previously outstanding and excellent defense, the Warriors continued their shooting touch grown there into this playoff series against the Spurs.

Originally, the Spurs planned to use strong defense from the first game to disrupt the Warriors' shooting touch.

But...

Given Stern's disinclination to see what was termed "strong defense," the Spurs obviously couldn't accomplish this.

On the court, it was a Warriors' offensive possession.

Standing at the free throw line to receive the ball and beginning to break through the Spurs' zone was Qin Yue, like a lighthouse steady in a tsunami.

The Spurs' zone defense was well-executed, but Qin Yue still found Artest at the junction of the defense.

Upon receiving the ball, Artest was not in a hurry to shoot because he had keenly sensed that the lighthouse was striding into the Spurs' paint area.

The next second, facing Bowen, who quickly slid to block him, Artest smiled and said, "At times like this, you just need to throw the basketball high..."

In the Spurs' paint area, if Duncan were a few years younger, he might still disrupt Artest's alley-oop pass.

But now, San Antonio's sky was destined to belong only to Qin Yue!

Bam—!

At the ATT Center, the Spurs players, unable to quickly regain peak physical condition, could only watch Qin Yue penetrate the defense they prided themselves on!

At the end of the third quarter, the score was 88 to 74.

The Warriors would head into the fourth quarter with a 14-point lead.

The visible fatigue was already etched on the faces of the Spurs' key players.

"Mike, I want to keep the main players on the court at the start of the fourth quarter." On the Spurs' bench, Popovich said to Budenholzer during the interval.

Hearing this, Budenholzer nodded and said, "I understand, this is our last chance."

The last chance.

At this moment, Budenholzer wasn't referring to just this game but the entire series.

Because if the Spurs can't rapidly close the gap in the final quarter, they'll have to prioritize maintaining their strength.

Due to the venue change between the second and third games, the Spurs would once again enjoy two valuable days of rest.

Popovich and Budenholzer both knew that the Warriors' impressive performance in the second game had already turned them into a significant hurdle on the Spurs' road to defending their title.

But...

No matter how big the hurdle is, only by making a bold decision can the Spurs preserve hope.

The Spurs showed their determination.

This is the foundation of their status as a top team.

And the Warriors?

Facing the first half of the final quarter, where the Spurs recklessly took threes despite their tired bodies, Qin Yue and his teammates collectively maintained their lead.

Following the unexpected 4-1 first-round playoff elimination of the Dallas Mavericks, the Warriors surprised everyone once again by winning two consecutive games at the ATT Center against the Spurs in the Western Conference Semifinals.

Final score, 107 to 98.

The Golden State Warriors have taken two consecutive victories, leading the series 2-0 against the San Antonio Spurs.

Now, the Spurs will go to Oakland with a 0-2 deficit.

Awaiting them there...

Will be the already frenzied Bay Area fans.

...

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