SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Matapos maisalba ang pahirapang serye laban sa Memphis Grizzlies, muling mapapalaban ang San Antonio Spurs sa pakikipagtuos sa matikas na si James Harden at Houston Rockets.
Nagtangka ang Rockets sa three-pointer ng 169 sa kabuuan ng serye para sa mataas na 34 porsiyento at 134-for-168 sa free throw line.
Sa pangunguna ni Kawhi Leonard at beteranong si Tony Parker, kakailanganin ng Spurs na mapantayan ang bilis at lakas ng Rockets para sa serye na magsisimula sa Lunes (Martes sa Manila).
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"We don't want to, but I feel if we have to, I think we're capable," pahayag ni Spurs guard Danny Green, inaasahang dedepensa kay Harden. "We have enough guys that can put the ball in the basket, especially at an up-and-down-pace type of game. I think most guys prefer it. I think they'll give us an opportunity to score more, we've just got to take care of the ball."
Ito ang unang pagkakataon na nakaharap ng San Antonio ang Houston sa playoffs mula noong 1995 Western Conference finals, dalawang season bago nakuha ng Spurs bilang first overall draft pick si Tim Duncan.
"We know it's going to be tough, an extremely tough series," sambit ni Harden.
"San Antonio isn't going to beat themselves. So, we've got to be mentally focused and prepared to go out there and execute every possession, every game,” aniya.
Bukod kay Harden, handing sumagupa sina Trevor Ariza, Ryan Anderson, Patrick Beverley, Eric Gordon at Lou Williams.
"We have a great group of guys that have a mindset of guarding," pahayag ni Leonard.
"One guy can't guard someone one on one the whole game, it's going to be a team effort."
