Chapter 123: Injured.
Han Sen continued his shooting rhythm from the first half, hitting two more mid-range shots. This forced Coach Popovich to abandon the zone defense. However, this freed up Randolph in the low post.
Popovich anxiously paced the sidelines, feeling as if he had two poisons in his hand, unsure of which one to drink.
By the end of the third quarter, the score was 81–67, with the Grizzlies expanding their lead to 14 points. It was starting to look like a repeat of their game against the Heat, where the fourth quarter would be garbage time.
At a crucial moment, Ginobili stepped up.
As the saying goes, 'In easy times, he's a sports car, in adversity, a monk, and in desperate times, the demon blade that slays all.'
Ginobili came off the bench, sinking a difficult three-pointer, then followed it up with a steal and an and-one layup.
Before the third quarter ended, under his lead, the Spurs had clawed the score back to within single digits.
Popovich finally breathed a sigh of relief.
At the start of the fourth quarter, Han Sen volunteered to Coach Hollins to go on and guard Ginobili, but Hollins refused this time.
Han Sen had ignored instructions before, and Hollins' attitude toward him had clearly changed.
With no other choice, Han Sen turned to Rudy Gay for a chat.