Pope of Basketball.

Summary

Both teams increased their pace, with the Spurs featuring Mi Er Si, Ji Nuo Bi Li, Fu Ni Ye, Di Ao, and Bang Na, while the Clippers had Li Wen Si Dong, Wei Si Li-Johnson, Guy, Pa Sen Si, and Griffin. The Clippers' bench, now called the "Five Swingmen," outperformed the Spurs, leading to a 12-4 run. Griffin's rested play allowed him to dominate, scoring a highlight dunk, while Li Wen Si Dong exploited mismatches against Mi Er Si. The Spurs struggled with bench depth and Popovich adjusted by substituting Bonner for Splitter, but this weakened their defense against Griffin. The Clippers maintained energy with effective rotations, allowing players like Middleton to rest while Parsons took over. At halftime, the Clippers led 55-48. In the second half, the Spurs relied on Parker and Ginobili, but struggled offensively. Duncan, who had focused on defense earlier, began to dominate in the final quarter, leading an 18-5 run to close the gap. Despite his age, Duncan showcased adaptability and a love for the game, emphasizing teamwork over personal accolades.

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