Zhang Jiawei: Spurs win in meat grinder competition, Stephen Castle looks like Westbrook

November 8th: In today’s Western Conference NBA Cup match, the Rockets lost to the Spurs 110-121. Freelance writer Zhang Jiawei commented on this game.

The following is his original text:

The Spurs beat the Rockets in a chaotic battle: a coming-of-age ceremony for the whole team?

Wenban Yama started the season with five double-doubles, averaging 30 points and 15 rebounds per game, and the Spurs won five consecutive games. After that, Wenban Yama encountered strategies such as flanking, small defense, large cutting, forcing jumpers, etc. There was no double-double in two games, and the Spurs lost two consecutive games. The Rockets have won five consecutive games by changing formations and speeding up the meat grinder.

Wenban Yama didn’t have a double-double for the third consecutive game today, but the Spurs won: they could have won without relying on Wenban’s 30+15.

Although Wenban’s 18 points in the second half were the most important, the Spurs won as a team.

Champaigny, Vassell, and Barnes used Wenban's containment power to score three-pointers like rain; Castle speeded up to find open spaces. This was the Spurs' general strategy. Expanding defense and applying pressure, the Rockets shot 60% of the three-pointers in the first three quarters, but Durant was forced to handle the ball a lot: 6 turnovers in the three quarters.

The Rockets' best chance: Shen Jing was slapped in the face by Wen Ban in the fourth quarter, and Wen Ban committed 5 fouls. However...

Durant missed consecutive shots and committed an offensive foul; the Spurs stood firm on the outside, and Barnes was allowed to hit a three-pointer. At that time, the courtside commentator laughed:

"Barnes and Curry played together, and he played very Curry today!"

- I thought: And Barnes is Durant's predecessor in the Warriors? ...

When the Rockets caught up to 3 points, they went into zone defense. The most critical moment of the game appeared. The Spurs' decision:

-Vinban Yama went to the line to provide support, and Castle fed Champagne with a long shot from the bottom corner.

——Wenbanyama and Castle played a two-man game, and Castle made an inside cut.

——Wenban missed a shot, Castle grabbed the offensive rebound and fed Champagne a long shot, opening up the score by 6 points.

——Wenban missed another layup, Castle made up the score, and still got 6 points.

- Vassell steals the ball, Castle sends a Paul-style plate feed, and Wenban backs up Amen, opening up by 8 points.

The game actually ended at this time.

The Rockets are the most turbulent team in the league. They played seven games with the Warriors last season and had five consecutive wins this season. Before today, they ranked first in the league in offense and fifth in defense.

But the Spurs held everything inside the three-point line - Durant made 24 points on 18 shots but made 8 mistakes - while the offense continued to be troubled by Benyama, Barnes scored 24 points equal to Durant; Champany had a perfect 3D performance with 6 three-pointers and 5 steals; Vassell was competing with Adams to "who is the most emotional cheerleader", and Kelden had a game-high 5 offensive rebounds.

And the fact that Castle was the best in the game.

5 of 12 shots were made and 5 turnovers were made. Normally, Castle should be scolded, but Castle had 13 assists today and had 2 priceless offensive rebounds at critical moments.

Chasing for Vassell's long shot and Champagne's long shot to establish an advantage in the third quarter; and then in the last 9 minutes, Castle had 7 assists: Paul's best form last season was just like this.

Instigate Wenban's pick-and-roll and feed Wenban alley-oops; work with Wenban in the high post to break the zone defense. If he can't break it, he rushes to the two offensive rebounds and gives the ball to the ball in the chaos. He is still not a perfect organizer who can command decisively, but when he did whatever it took to speed up for victory today, I wonder if Durant thought of the Thunder No. 0 who selflessly passed the ball to him ten years ago?

Against the heat, against the sun, against the Lakers, Wenban Yama was drowned in the crowd, and it still remains today. So today the Spurs didn't win because of the condescending aliens in the liberal arts class, but they won because of the struggling of Castle, Keldon, and Champagne. Usually the Rockets are in chaos and fighting, but today it was the Spurs who fought for every inch of ground and won.

Winning a chaotic battle is not difficult, but winning a strangled battle from Uduka's team is an achievement. This is the first time this season:

The Spurs are not "the alien creature Wen Banyama and his assistants won the game"; but "the Spurs, a team with a strong armor, won the game."