The Golden Age of Basketball-Chapter 1823 - 68: 1 Second_4

The score was maintained like this, with the Trail Blazers unable to launch an offensive surge because they couldn't completely shut down the Celtics on defense.

The Celtics were in good form and had made ample preparations before the game, facing the suddenly intensifying double-team defense from the Trail Blazers with more composure.

After a timeout by Beelman, the Celtics even executed a Princeton Offense tactic, with Ilgauskas coordinating from a high position, and Fox and Nash cutting into the basket continuously to create scoring opportunities.

One direct layup was successful, and Nash circled out and then made a pass to the baseline, Duncan received the ball for a mid-range jump shot and scored—it was rare for Duncan to shoot from the baseline, but this time it went in.

This showed that the Celtics players were truly in form, playing better and smoother, gaining more confidence. For them, this might be a transformative game.

The fans on-site grew increasingly anxious, but no matter how dire the situation, none of them left early—the Trail Blazers fans would never leave prematurely.

The TV cameras kept focusing on Gan Guoyang, who was performing moderately in the fourth quarter, with poor shooting touch, constantly trying various ways to keep the score close.

Others were also struggling with their shooting, with Kobe and Brellock starting to miss shots, and the previously accurate outside shooters now seeing a plummeting shooting percentage.

That's just how game status goes, each game brings new problems and issues. The main reason, of course, was Gan Guoyang's foul trouble disrupting the team's offensive and defensive plans.

When one link goes wrong, everything following goes wrong.

With 2 minutes left, the Celtics were leading 91-83, still ahead of the Trail Blazers by 8 points.

Tim Duncan received the ball in the low post, turned around for a strong move against Gan Guoyang, seeking physical contact, and twisted for the shot!

The ball didn't go in, but Steve Javie's whistle blew again! This time calling a defensive foul on Gan Guoyang!

The call wasn't unreasonable, as the tired Gan Guoyang was indeed struggling on defense.

They say the fist fears youth, Duncan at 23 versus Gan Guoyang at 36, by the fourth game and the fourth quarter, Duncan had gained some advantage.

Gan Guoyang's issue wasn't stamina, but his rhythm being completely off, spending the whole fourth quarter searching for his game feel.

It seemed like this game was going to be lost, but losing wasn't much, he'd just be mocked by Beelman.

Bragging had its limits; ultimately, it was in the Trail Blazers' hands during the pivotal battle.

However, such self-consolation failed to convince Gan Guoyang himself; he glanced at the timer, still 1 minute and 48 seconds left.

Duncan made both free throws, 93-83, and the Celtics widened the gap to 10 points; it seemed the Trail Blazers were done for.

Many fans inside and outside the stadium held their heads, trying to accept the defeat, but more were praying for a miracle.

Rick Carlisle called a timeout to redo the setup, but there wasn't much left to arrange.

Kobe stepped up, saying, "Give me the ball, I'll solve the problem!"

Gan Guoyang tossed him a towel to shut him up; it was still premature for him to speak.

Everyone looked at Gan Guoyang; he already had 5 fouls, teetering on the brink of being fouled out.

Despite such unfavorable conditions tonight, he still managed 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists.

But to win, it wasn't nearly enough, and 20 points for Gan Guoyang was a completely unsatisfactory performance.

Everyone waited for Gan Guoyang's words, including Rick Carlisle, pondering whether to continue fighting for the 10-point deficit in a minute, or to surrender and prepare for the pivotal battle?

Gan Guoyang remained silent for a moment, then said, "I need your help; the ball will be in my hands, but I need everyone's help. Strategy, screens, rebounds, we must unite. We aim to win. We won't give up; giving up ends the game early."

Using calm words, Gan Guoyang stated the above, and for the Trail Blazers players, there wasn't a need for grandiose words to stir them.

As long as the leader was willing to fight, willing to try, of course, they would follow without hesitation.

Everyone's state tonight was poor, many veterans enduring pain and discomfort to keep going.

Sabonis's knee was already heating up, even with some fluid seeping through the bandages.

Mu Lin, Brellock, AC Green felt exhausted all over; every joint ached.

For Terry Porter, the finals were torture; defensively against Nash, he felt like a wooden stalk.

The ankle surely was swelling, most of them had played up to 100 games, enduring another season's torment.

The past ten-plus seasons, every year accumulating torment, with the series going further, these torments would emerge.

Persisting, only persistence; no other methods for relief. The young Celtics would experience it someday, but not yet.

Timeout ended, players from both sides re-entered the court, the Celtics didn't relax their vigilance; Beelman repeatedly reminded, do not make mistakes.

Beelman felt both excited and nervous inside; he knew they had hope in this game, they could really win, and if they brought the series back to Boston, it would be great.

But opposite them was Ah Gan; he repeatedly told himself, even if it's Ah Gan, he wouldn't win every game, he wasn't a god, just not.

Game resumed, Gan Guoyang passed the sideline ball, the Trail Blazers ran a classic cut-to-the-basket play.

Gan Guoyang passed the ball to the low post, received the ball from Sabonis, then spun around, double-teamed, immediately passed to Kobe cutting to the basket.