On May 19, in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals, the Spurs defeated the Lakers; The Eastern Conference Celtics defeated the Magic in overtime, and the matchup in the division finals was released.

Western Conference Finals: Los Angeles Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs

Eastern Conference Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics.

Spurs head coach Popovich left the court in a post-game interview after the game after answering only two questions, leaving the reporters at the scene a little overwhelmed.

However, in just a few words, the Spurs coach expressed his opinion about the Clippers.

"They've played really well in the last two rounds of the playoffs and we need to be careful, they're already a completely different team than they were in the regular season, and it's a series that doesn't take the winners and losers lightly." Popovich said.

At the same time, contrary to Popovich's "few words", Clippers head coach Dunleavy Sr. talked to reporters after knowing that his opponent was the Spurs.

"In the past regular season we were always difficult against the Spurs, but the playoffs are a different level and now we are a completely different team from the regular season, we are mentally and physically ready, we have improved defensively, we are more lethal offensively than we were in the regular season, and now we are a real championship team."

When talking about how to limit Duncan, the core of the Lake Spurs, Dunleavy Sr. admitted that he would not use two brothers to wrap up the stone Buddha like he did last season.

"No, no, I'm not going to use the two of them to pinch Duncan anymore, that hasn't proven feasible in the regular season, and Panda has become the best defensive player this season. Although he is only in the second grade. But I don't think he needs anyone else's help anymore. He has the ability to defend Duncan alone. Fox has his own mission, he wants to be our sharpest spear to pierce through the Spurs' sturdy defense. Fox will certainly get some opportunities to play against Duncan, but let's not underestimate him, who is also a member of the All-Season team and defensive team, and we have two interior players who can affect Duncan."

The Clippers finally waited for their opponent in the Western Conference Finals, and the star Ji admitted that he knew that many people were not optimistic about the Clippers. They were at a disadvantage because of their regular season record, but he believes the Clippers have what it takes to beat the Spurs.

"I know a lot of people think we can't beat the Spurs, just like they think the Spurs can't beat the Lakers, but we always believe we can win, two defensive teams and the interior of the All-Star team, and you think about who wins."

The Clippers haven't played since May 14. Rest helps players get rid of fatigue, but always missing a game can also have a negative impact on form.

Chauncey. "All we can do is work hard in training and try to simulate the game as much as possible, but let's be honest," Billups said. No matter how you do it, training and competing are not the same. ”

Regular season. The Clippers have played the Spurs four times, the Clippers are 1-3, and the Spurs' defensive ability has impressed Clippers stalwart Barnes.

"Spurs are a team that is very good at defending as a whole, they are five players on the court who are fighting hand-to-hand and doing the dirty work together. But so are we, we're faster and faster than them, the playoffs are more physically demanding, and I'm confident we're going to win."

On May 19, the 2008-09 playoffs have reached the division finals, and the Clippers and Spurs and the Cavaliers and Celtics will compete for two finals spots.

ESPN today named the best team in the East and West in the last two rounds of the playoffs, and Yao Ming, who reached the Western Conference semifinals and played five games against the Clippers, was selected.

The best team in the East -

Point Guard: Allen. Iverson (Knicks)

Shooting Guard: Dwayne. Wade (Heat)

Small forward: LeBron. James (Cavaliers)

Power Forward: Kevin. Garnett (Celtic)

Center: Dwight. Howard (Magic)

Subs: Rajan. Rondo (Celtic), Ray. Allen (Celtic), Paul. Pierce (Celtic), Andre. Iguodala (76ers), Derek. Rose (Bulls), Andre. Miller (76ers), Josh. Smith (Eagles).

Best Team in the West -

Point Guard: Chris. Paul (Hornets)

Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant. Bryant (Lakers)

Small forward: Kevin. Durant (Thunder)

Power Forward: Ji Guoyi (Clippers)

Center: Ji Guoqiu (Clippers)

Subs: Toney. Parker (Spurs), Yao Ming (Rockets), Brandon. Roy (Trail Blazers), Tim. Duncan (Spurs), Chauncey. Billups (Clippers), Paul. Gasol (Lakers), Byron. Davis (Lakers).

The Los Angeles Times on the 19th, also did not forget to support the home team. Bundan wrote that the Clippers' game against the Spurs had three key points: shooting percentage, interior matchups, and physical fitness on both sides. If these three points can be done well, the Clippers will not have a problem winning their first game and getting off to a good start.

The first is the hit rate -

The emphasis on shooting percentage is because the Clippers have two perverted interior players in the 180 club, and their shooting percentage in the playoffs is no worse than in the regular season, and if the Spurs let the two brothers continue to shoot at such a high rate, it is obviously unrealistic to win the game.

Limiting the shooting percentage mainly relies on defense, so in the end, it is the Spurs' interior defense ability that is tested.

But the Spurs have a fatal flaw, that is, Ji Guoqiu has a lot of shots in the first two rounds focused on the outside, which is seen as a pre-rehearsal against Duncan.

Shi Buddha is a year older this year, can he keep up with Ji Guoqiu's footsteps, can he stop the giant panda's outside shooting? This is crucial, and I believe it is where Popovich finds it tricky. After all, if Duncan wants to strengthen his defense, it will definitely affect Duncan Sr.'s offense, and it is difficult to have a way to do both.

Inside confrontation -

This one is easy to understand, to beat the Clippers, you must first defeat their interior line, and their interior line is the best team in the league, which is equivalent to beating the best interior combination in the NBA, can Duncan and Jamison do it?

There is one correction here. Not the best team is necessarily better than every other team's interior line. Just like Warcraft was considered the league's No. 1 center in the first two seasons. But he couldn't beat Yao Ming. It's very common to fight each other on the basketball court, and Yao Ming can beat Howard, but he is not the first center, which is the best embodiment.

Duncan has always had the absolute upper hand against Ji Guoqiu, and the two have played each other a total of 13 times plus the playoffs, and Ji Guoqiu has only defeated Duncan 3 times in terms of numbers. It's basically in a state of complete defeat.

However, it is not ashamed for a rookie to be taught a lesson by a superstar, and this year's meeting between the two, Ji Guoqiu's appearance has been much better than last year, especially in the last meeting in the regular season, Ji Guoqiu defeated Duncan.

Everyone knows that as time goes by, Ji Guoqiu will get stronger and stronger, while Duncan will get weaker and weaker, this situation is normal, maybe next season. The two will completely turn their record around.

But this playoffs, can Duncan continue to suppress Brother Panda?

Once Duncan gained the upper hand. Jamison and Ji Guoyi's battle will be a mutual explosion, so that the Spurs will not at least lose to the Clippers on the inside, and with the backcourt composed of Parker and Ginobili, the Spurs' hopes of beating the Clippers will be greatly increased. Conversely, what the Clippers' interior can play will determine whether the Clippers can reach the Finals again, and they don't have to be easy to defend their title.

And finally, physical fitness.

The Spurs have a fatal flaw, that is, their main players are older, except for Parker who can play 40 minutes, and now Duncan, Jamison and Ginobili are not capable of playing 40 minutes of high-intensity games. If these three people hold on, of course, they can play for 40 minutes, but referring to the table of the last quarter of the little giant, these three people will not be much better.

Ginobili's style of play is very demanding on the body, and without the body, he will have no feel, and will become a double-edged sword that is worse than Crawford.

Duncan is 33 years old, and his limit is 36 minutes, especially Ji Guoqiu will definitely consume him desperately, so once Shi Fo's playing time exceeds this number, his performance will definitely plummet.

Jamison, the outstanding No. 4 star, has also shown a downward trend this season, and he can be better than Duncan in terms of physical fitness, but his consumption will undoubtedly be greater when defending Ji Guoyi, who is running all over the court.

In summary, the three core players of the Spurs are all limited by the physical problem, and their opponent happens to be the best team in the league, and the two brothers can even play the whole game and finally shoot goals. But the Spurs can't do that, and if Dunleavy Sr. makes good use of their physical talents, he may be able to decide the outcome of the game.

Finally up to. Bundan also mentioned the bench lineup, the Clippers' Crawford, Jordan Jr., Amir. Johnson is a guy on the pitch who can catch fire at a little bit, and he says that simply "give him a little sunshine and it will shine". If they are allowed to play with momentum, it will be quite difficult for the Spurs to turn over again, so whether the Spurs' aging bench lineup can withstand the impact of the Clippers and a bunch of Su zhì men is also the key point that determines the outcome of the game.

Although the Clippers' substitutes were taught a lesson by the Rockets bandits, the Rockets bench is the first in the league, but the Spurs are not ranked first, so the Clippers' substitutes must do something in this series, and they can't even beat a group of old men, right? Otherwise, the elder Dunleavy really has to think about whether to go directly to the Rockets to poach people next season.

On May 19, the league announced the division final bracket.

May 20, Los Angeles Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs - Staples Arena, PM, 22:00.

May 22, Los Angeles Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs - Staples Arena, PM, 22:30.

May 24, Los Angeles Clippers vs San Antonio Spurs - ATT Center Arena, PM, 22:00.

May 26, Los Angeles Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs - ATT Center Arena, PM, 22:00.

May 29, Los Angeles Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs - Staples Arena, PM, 22:30.

May 31, Los Angeles Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs - ATT Center Arena, PM, 22:30.

June 2, Los Angeles Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs - Staples Arena, PM, 22:00. (To be continued......) R1292