The Spurs hit three three-pointers in a row, and even more critically, these three three-pointers came from three different spots, putting the Mavericks in a very passive position!
In previous games, it was always the Mavericks' offense that relentlessly attacked, leaving opponents struggling to respond. Today, the roles were reversed. The Spurs' offense was exceptionally fierce, scoring consecutively, while the Mavericks' own offense encountered significant problems.
Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash, the two primary offensive threats, both seemed to be having an off shooting night.
On the Spurs' side, although Tim Duncan had yet to score, their sharpshooters were collectively on fire, exerting immense pressure on the Mavericks.
Mavericks head coach Don Nelson couldn't sit still any longer, loudly instructing the players on the court: "Execute the number one tactic decisively, don't hesitate..."
The Mavericks players, upon receiving the instruction, began to drive ferociously into the Spurs' paint.
It was highly probable that this tactic involved relentlessly attacking the basket and forcing the ball inside.
Nash attacked first, driving hard, but finding no opportunity, he passed to Michael Finley, who then drove himself!
The Spurs' defense was tenacious, immediately abandoning Nash to swarm Finley.
Finley didn't force a shot but passed to Nowitzki, who had moved closer to the basket. Finally, Nowitzki drove to the hoop himself and, under the double-team of Duncan and David Robinson, completed a layup.
This basket was finally scored after a sustained offensive push by three Mavericks players, but it was an incredibly hard-earned two points.
"Well done! That's how we play offense! On defense, be resolute! We absolutely cannot let them shoot so easily from outside..."
Nelson applauded the Mavericks players' offensive execution and then laid out new defensive demands.
The change this brought about was a more aggressive Mavericks defense, often resulting in fouls, but effectively disrupting the Spurs' offensive rhythm.
The Spurs' rapid scoring streak was thus temporarily curbed by the Mavericks.
By the halfway point of the first quarter, Coach Nelson was still not satisfied with the Mavericks' penetration. He prematurely substituted Nachbar for the fiery Nick Van Exel, creating a dual-point guard combination with Nash and shifting Finley to small forward.
After Van Exel entered the game, the Mavericks' overall offensive penetration indeed reached another level.
Van Exel did not betray Coach Nelson's trust, driving past David Robinson twice to score, exploiting the size difference.
Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, Gregg Popovich also began making substitutions. Veteran David Robinson headed to the bench for rest, and Yao Ming entered the game earlier as the sixth man.
In fact, had Van Exel not been so aggressive driving to the basket, Yao Ming might have spent a few more minutes on the bench, as it wasn't yet his scheduled time to play.
Upon entering the game, Yao Ming replaced David Robinson to anchor the Spurs' paint defense.
Facing Rasheed Wallace's post-up offense, Yao Ming still struggled somewhat, but with Duncan's help on defense, Wallace was hesitant to overcommit.
However, against penetrating guards like Van Exel and Nash, Yao Ming had no reason to fear.
Van Exel, due to the "bet," felt a slight chip on his shoulder. On one hand, he wanted to challenge his opponent; on the other, his success in driving past David Robinson twice had boosted his confidence significantly.
Therefore, on this third drive, Van Exel, using a screen to shake off Manu Ginobili, once again utilized his speed advantage and aerial skills to aggressively attack the Spurs' basket.
However, this move was quite effective against the slower David Robinson, but it was less so against Yao Ming, who hadn't yet significantly gained weight or muscle.
Without any prior offensive diversion, Yao Ming had ample time to react, retreat, and position himself under the basket to await Van Exel's drive.
The significant height difference between Van Exel and Yao Ming meant that once Yao Ming dictated the rhythm, Van Exel, regardless of his aerial maneuvers, would find it difficult to escape Yao Ming's coverage!
Even as Yao Ming was descending, he could still extend his long arms to block Van Exel's desperate fadeaway jumper!
"Oh, shit!" Van Exel's expression changed dramatically, but he didn't give up. He landed, then jumped again, attempting to recover the offensive rebound.
But Yao Ming also refused to give up. Unable to jump again immediately after landing, he simply tiptoed and hooked the ball, successfully snatching it from above Van Exel's head.
In a matter of seconds, Van Exel suffered two consecutive crushing blows from Yao Ming, feeling like he could spit blood.
Yet, Yao Ming didn't even glance at Van Exel. He took a step with the ball, assessed the surrounding situation, and waited until Old Fan was more than a meter away before passing it to He Xi Meng, thereby avoiding the risk of Van Exel stealing it back on the spot...
It wasn't that Yao Ming was disrespectful, but rather that Yao Ming had absolutely no idea that He Xi Meng had made a bet with Old Fan!
Frustrated, Van Exel moved away from Yao Ming and ran to He Xi Meng to apply pressure, preventing a fast break.
However, He Xi Meng had no intention of a fast break. He dribbled slowly up the court, quietly consoling Old Fan: "Don't be discouraged! You drove past David beautifully just now! Believe in yourself, you can do it..."
Van Exel didn't waste words with He Xi Meng, spitting out a single word that silenced him!
"Get lost!"
"Uh..." He Xi Meng was rebuffed by Van Exel and momentarily speechless. However, his eyes were not idle; he was constantly observing his teammates' movements.
He suddenly noticed Tim Duncan, who hadn't been very active today, accelerating towards the paint. With a tacit understanding that required no words or even eye contact, He Xi Meng lofted the ball directly above the basket!
The ball and the man arrived in sync. Duncan broke free from Nowitzki's interference, caught the ball with both hands, twisted, and slammed it into the hoop.
Concise, explosive, and utterly seamless!
This was Duncan's first dunk of the game and his first field goal of the game.
The Spurs fans in the arena immediately gave the newly crowned regular season MVP...
This play was not only an aesthetically pleasing alley-oop but also remarkable because Duncan seemed to have dunked over the Mavericks' star player, Nowitzki...
Van Exel's lips twitched, a look of unconcealed helplessness on his face.
"You guy, you were chatting with me and still managed to set up an alley-oop for Duncan? Really... you're too damn freaky..."