Time was running out, and only one last hope remained in the hearts of the audience!

After Van Gundy called a timeout...

The camera suddenly focused on Wei Guo in the stands. Only Wei Guo was left on the big screen in the stadium. The audience seemed to have thought of something, and they shouted in unison!

"Defend the country!"

"Defend the country!"

"Defend the country!"

This is cheering for the Rockets, and this is putting pressure on the Spurs.

There was a classic game in the league, the game between the Rockets and the Spurs. That game was so similar to this one. Back then, the Rockets were also down by about 10 points with less than two minutes left in the game.

Not only that...

With 35 seconds left in the game, the Rockets were still down by 8 points.

Many of the spectators from that game back then are still here today; they are the Rockets' most loyal fans.

Despite this predicament, Wei Guo scored 14 points in 35 seconds, leading the Rockets to a stunning comeback. And today, Wei Guo is back at the arena again... Although Wei Guo is a spectator, can the Rockets pull off another comeback like this?

Spurs players and coaches looked up at Wei Guo on the big screen.

A shadow fell over them...

Most of the current Spurs roster witnessed that game back then. Fortunately, Wei Guo was just a spectator. Hopefully, this won't happen again.

......

There are only 47 seconds left in the game.

89:81!!

The Rockets are down by 8 points, what a familiar script... Gu Tao breaks through and passes the ball to McGrady, who receives it beyond the three-point line and takes a pull-up jump shot.

"Whoosh!!!"

The basketball went into the net.

Everyone immediately looked at the timer: 35 seconds!!!

The game is about to end in 35 seconds...

89:84!!

The Rockets are still down by 5 points.

Will history really repeat itself?

The Spurs inbounded the ball from the baseline, and Parker passed it to Ginobili before crossing half-court. In this situation, it seems more reasonable to let Ginobili control the ball and control the clock.

Duncan sets a screen for Ginobili at the three-point line...

Gu Tao anticipated this tactic and stole the ball from Ginobili once again as he drove to the basket!

"Get the ball back!"

Popovich shouted, "Don't let the Rockets get on a fast break!"

The Rockets were bound to launch a fast break. McGrady had already run up the court. Gu Tao jumped up and passed the ball to McGrady. McGrady received the ball, turned around, shook off Brown, and shot the three-pointer with his toes touching the line.

"Whoosh!!!"

Another three-pointer!

89:87!!

With 21 seconds left in the game, the Rockets are only down by 2 points. Could the Rockets really win the game?

......

Popovich called another timeout, the Spurs' last chance to call a timeout.

The Rockets have one more timeout...

With 21 seconds left, what offensive tactics will the Spurs devise, and how should the Rockets defend?

Van Gundy glanced at Wei Guo on the sidelines without thinking.

This action did not escape the eyes of all the Rockets players, because their attention was on Wei Guo and Van Gundy. Wei Guo knew what Van Gundy wanted to ask, but he was too embarrassed to speak up for the sake of the head coach.

I think...

Wei Guo paused for a moment, then slowly said, "We can use a fouling tactic."

This wasn't a particularly difficult decision. The Spurs had the ball and held a two-point lead, so they would try to stall for time rather than take a shot rashly.

Instead of betting the game on defense, it's better to foul early.

Even if the Spurs make both free throws, the Rockets will still have at least one more offensive opportunity to make a three-pointer, and they can still foul if necessary.

If the Spurs continue to stall for time, and the Rockets miss the last shot, they will have a chance to win the game. But if they do make the shot, there will only be a few seconds left, and they will be down by 4 points. Even if Wei Guo comes on, it won't help.

Van Gundy said, "I agree with Wei Guo. Whoever receives the ball should be fouled immediately!"

Okay~~~

The Rockets player responded softly.

It's not appropriate to be too loud at this time. If the sound is too loud and reaches the Spurs, they will be able to guess the Rockets' tactics.

......

The Spurs inbounded the ball from the baseline, and Popovich was determined to run out of those 21 seconds.

The Rockets employed a man-to-man defense, with every Spurs player being guarded, especially players like Parker who had a high free-throw percentage.

but...

Popovich had already figured out the Rockets' defensive strategy. Brown suddenly made a reverse cut and rushed to the frontcourt. Ginobili swung the ball with his long arms and it landed in Brown's hands. As soon as Brown caught the ball, Gu Tao rushed over and hugged him.

From the moment Brown received the ball to the moment he was fouled, less than a second elapsed!

Popovich glanced at the Rockets' bench. There were some experts there too. He thought he had figured out the Rockets' defensive strategy, but someone else had also figured it out for him.

Brown steps to the free-throw line!

Brown's free throws were inconsistent, and he wasn't a very reliable player in crucial moments. His original tactic was to have Brown receive the ball and then pass it back to Parker.

"Enter!"

"Enter!"

"Enter!"

Before taking the free throw, Brown made the sign of the cross on his chest.

Yao Ming, Juwan, McGrady, Duncan, and Nesterovic stood on either side of the free-throw line, ready to fight for the rebound.

"Whoosh!!!"

Brown makes his first free throw!

The second penalty is the key...

"Whoosh!!!"

Brown made his second free throw!

The Rockets had one more timeout, but Yao Ming walked to the baseline and quickly inbounded the ball... McGrady received the ball and headed straight for the frontcourt!

This is so sudden!!!

Duncan immediately positioned himself near the three-point line, and when McGrady rushed over and made a shooting motion, he lunged forward!

"A feint!!!"

Duncan suddenly realized something was wrong... but it was too late, because he couldn't control his body to move backward in mid-air, a maneuver that no human could perform.

McGrady leaned against Duncan and took the shot!

"Whoosh!!!"

The basketball swished through the net!

"Beep!!!"

The referee blew his whistle, pushed his hand forward, and the goal was valid, plus a penalty!

Holy crap!!!

Wow~~~

The arena erupted. If McGrady made the free throw, the Rockets would tie the game.

Is McGrady trying to replicate his iconic moment of defending the nation?

McGrady wasn't shooting well tonight; Yao Ming was the Rockets' leading scorer before this, but McGrady had already made three three-pointers in the crucial moments.

"Whoosh!!!"

McGrady made another free throw, and the Rockets tied the score.

The Spurs have no timeouts left... They can only inbound the ball from the baseline. The Spurs players are very experienced, and they know they absolutely cannot make a mistake at this point. Even if they steadily run out of time, it will only lead to overtime at most, but a mistake could cost them the game.

Popovich instructed, "Duncan, you go serve."

Duncan walked to the baseline, the Spurs players moved around, Brown received the ball easily, and the Rockets were unlikely to foul.