The Clippers' offense shifted to the paint.
Olowokandi went for the score first, but David Robinson delivered a massive block, sending the ball out of bounds.
Brand then drove to the basket, drawing a foul from Ginobili, who was double-teaming with Duncan. Brand stepped up to the free-throw line.
Facing interference from the Spurs fans, Brand calmly sank both free throws, showcasing his reliable foul shot for a big man.
It was the Spurs' turn. He Xi Meng realized that Duncan and David Robinson seemed off their game. Olowokandi and Brand shouldn't be able to defend them so tightly; they were a notch below the twin towers.
Therefore, this time, He Xi Meng didn't shoot from the perimeter. Instead, he found an opportunity, drove into the paint, and made a brilliant pass through traffic to David Robinson! David Robinson, presented with the open ball, turned and easily scored over Olowokandi with a hook shot.
"That's more like it! That's the Admiral!"
He Xi Meng excitedly high-fived David Robinson after the two-point shot and offered praise, hoping to ignite his offensive drive.
David Robinson felt a bit guilty, returning a slightly awkward smile.
He Xi Meng then turned his attention to Duncan, who pretended not to see them and retreated on defense without a word.
"There's a conspiracy!" He Xi Meng sensed something was amiss.
"That can't be right. It's the first game of the new season; shouldn't everyone be united for an opening win? Why is that little clever Duncan slacking off? Is his knee not fully recovered? It shouldn't be, the team checked it and said it's fine?"
As He Xi Meng retreated, he pondered the problem and, in the process, stole a pass from McGuinness intended for Olowokandi!
After the steal, He Xi Meng didn't push for a fast break. Instead, he slowed it down and looked to pass to Duncan!
Perhaps He Xi Meng's intention was too obvious, as Odom, coming over to help, swiped the ball back, resulting in a turnover for He Xi Meng.
Odom pushed the ball on the fast break. Bowen, though lacking Odom's height and weight, was incredibly aggressive on defense. His starting spot on the Spurs was earned through defense, so he had no choice but to work hard.
Unable to stop Odom, Bowen exploited his high dribble, pressuring the ball and nearly stealing it. Odom was forced to slow down and secure the ball. The Spurs were able to get back and set up their defense.
McGuinness, passing by, took the ball from Odom and passed it to Brand near the paint.
Brand turned and drove hard against Duncan. David Robinson tried to double-team and block, but he accidentally fouled Brand.
Brand went to the free-throw line again, sinking both shots.
"Whoa! Brand's on fire today, carrying the load? Can you stand this, Tim? Aren't you going to answer?" He Xi Meng tried to provoke Duncan, hoping to get him fired up.
Duncan said nothing. He Xi Meng thought he'd listened. However, Duncan backed down Brand, drew the Clippers' attention, and then passed the ball back out to He Xi Meng on the perimeter!
He Xi Meng stared at the returning ball, stunned: "I have to shoot now, don't I?"
There was no choice; the opportunity was there, and it would be a waste not to take it!
He Xi Meng caught the ball and, with McGuinness flying at him, shot another three-pointer!
Unfortunately, He Xi Meng missed this good opportunity! But it was okay; Duncan anticipated the rebound and, instead of grabbing it, tipped it gently back towards He Xi Meng...
He Xi Meng jumped to catch it. Under McGuinness's interference, he didn't pull up for a shot. Instead, he passed to Ginobili at the top of the arc!
Ginobili faked Piatkowski and pulled up for a shot!
The ball still didn't go in!
But again, it was okay! Duncan once again got to the offensive rebound first. He didn't grab it but instead tipped it directly to He Xi Meng...
He Xi Meng was bewildered: "What are you doing? Does the ball have thorns on it..."
This time, He Xi Meng didn't pass after receiving the ball. He used his left shoulder to clear space, bumped McGuinness, who was jumping all over him, and drove into the Clippers' paint. Facing a double-team from Brand and Olowokandi, He Xi Meng, with a suspended glide, made an acrobatic layup, spinning the ball off the glass for the score!
This shot was extremely difficult.
"Hey! Tim, what are you up to?" After making the shot, He Xi Meng couldn't take it anymore and went to Duncan to ask him directly.
Duncan didn't lie: "I just wanted to test if you could lead the team to score consistently without me exerting myself..."
"I knew it!" He Xi Meng took a deep breath. "And then?"
"My guess was right! Your scoring ability is actually much stronger than we thought! You're underestimated..."
"Underestimated my foot! I'm exhausted! I'm a point guard, a point guard, not a shooting guard. I warn you, if you don't play properly again, I'll pass every offensive ball to you from now on and let you handle it!"
"Alright, alright! I'll try! Actually, isn't playing like this pretty good? Look!" Duncan pointed at the big screen showing the score. "We're almost leading the Clippers by 10 points..."
Duncan's reasoning was sound, and He Xi Meng was speechless.
If this pace continued, with Duncan instigating it, He Xi Meng might indeed be forced to have a "crazy" game in the first match of the new season!
However, the unexpected happened quickly. David Robinson unintentionally committed his second personal foul of the game, forcing Popovich to make an early substitution.
"Yao! Get ready to go in!"
With Popovich's command, this year's top draft pick, Yao Ming, pulled off his towel and started warming up on the sidelines.
The eyes of the entire Spurs crowd followed the young giant.
In the preseason games that had already concluded, Yao Ming had performed quite well, averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds. But the preseason was not the regular season; the intensity, the opponent's strength, and the tactics were all different from the regular season.
The fans' attention was also far less than in the regular season.
Therefore, most fans were still focused on his draft position, and there were still considerable doubts about Yao Ming: would this number one pick be a bust?