在人手短缺的圣安东尼奥马刺队与卫冕冠军波士顿凯尔特人队的比赛中，克里斯·保罗扛起了球队的重任。比赛还剩8分17秒时，马刺队试图将第三节以来一直保持的15分差距缩小到个位数，这位未来的名人堂成员命中一记跳投，将分差缩小到9分。

This represents the start of Paul's 10-point run in the next three minutes.

ClutchPoints asked the 12-time All-Star if his personal outburst was based on the Celtics' defensive strategy or if he made a conscious decision to go on offense.

"This has often happened in the past," Paul said in response to the question. "It's the rhythm of the game. It's fun to do that. ”

Prior to that outburst, Paul had scored just two more points — no points in the first half — and he never scored again in a 111-0 loss to the second-best team in the Eastern Conference.

The 39-year-old defender added: "Just trying to figure out when I can pick the right moment for our team and follow the game. ”

Chris Paul continues to coach off the field

Against Boston, Paul played 35 minutes, second only to Devin Vassell, the team's top scorer this season. The Spurs ended the season without key player Victor Wembanyama and recently brought in star Daron Fox, both of whom were sidelined with injuries.

Speaking about the resulting rotation of the new squad, Paul admitted: "We've been trying to keep getting to know these players. ”

Brilliant rookie Stephen Castle scored 22 points to help San Antonio compete against the reigning NBA champions, who have been one of the best teams in the league for the past decade.

'I talked a lot with Stephen and I talked to the other players. These games are especially against teams like this and you realise that the last five minutes are different from the rest of the game," Paul revealed.

"The style of attack and the pace that you use in the first three and a half quarters changes towards the end. That's the benefit of having continuity, the players know where each other are, and that's what we have to work on," the 39-year-old point guard continued.

Statistically, since the All-Star break, the Spurs' offense has been at the top of the pack even in the absence of Wembanyama and Fox. The Spurs didn't shoot well against the Celtics at 35% and 0% from the field, which wasn't their biggest problem.

'The offense has been good. Trust is something we have to build. That's what we're trying to do. There are a lot of different lineups and so on. The question is how to stop the opponent in time," Paul concluded.

He was right. Even when he exploded, the Spurs didn't close the deficit to within 20 in the final five minutes against the Celtics. This is just another reminder that the legendary point guard is coming to the end of his 0th NBA season.