This was during the 2007-08 season. He was two steps away from the three-point line when he took the shot, meaning Wei Guo was almost certain to make it.
Pierce had pushed his stamina to the limit, so he dared not risk shooting three-pointers. He could only dribble closer to Wei Guo, the closer he was to the basket, the higher his shooting percentage would be. The more exhausted he was, the more he had to drive to the basket to score.
Kobe, like a Black Mamba poised to strike, kept a close eye on Pierce!
As Pierce approached him, Kobe suddenly accelerated, pressed close to Pierce, and swiftly and cleanly stole the ball.
"foul!"
Pierce jumped up and yelled, "Foul!"
Kobe's risky steal was very successful and will be key to the Lakers' victory. He dared to do it because he had Wei Guo to cover for him. If the steal had failed and given Pierce a chance to shoot, Wei Guo could have helped defend in time.
Rivers yelled at the top of his lungs, "Don't let Kobe go on a fast break!"
There was no point in arguing with the referee since he didn't blow the whistle; it would only waste time for help defense. Ray Allen and Rondo desperately chased after him to the backcourt. Kobe was so fast... he took two steps in three strides to the three-point line, then another to the free-throw line, scooped the ball, took another step, and jumped!
That ball deserves a dunk!
Ray Allen and Rondo caught up immediately. A layup might be contested, so a dunk was the safest bet.
"Bang!!!"
A tomahawk dunk!
Kobe pulled the rim down with one hand before landing on the ground. Without a celebratory gesture, he coldly ran back to the frontcourt to prepare for defense.
87:88!!
The Lakers are down by one point.
With 1 minute and 1 second remaining in the game, the Celtics theoretically have two more offensive opportunities, while the Lakers have one more. Therefore, the Lakers need one more successful defensive play.
......
Rivers clenched his fists, suppressing the urge to call a timeout.
He only has one timeout left, and he's still in the lead. If he can score on this possession, the balance of victory will still be tilting in the Celtics' favor.
"That was a beautiful steal!"
Wei Guo and Kobe high-fived, and Wei Guo reminded his teammates, "Brothers, give it your all! If we can defend against this attack, we can take the lead!"
Time ticked by, second by second...
Rondo dribbled across half-court with only 56 seconds left in the game. The Celtics were still running down the clock and were still in the lead, so they could patiently organize an offensive play.
Kobe didn't risk a steal, as his steal success rate was already low. The Lakers kept helping and assisting on defense, not giving the Celtics any chance to shoot. Their defensive pressure was also very strong. With the 24-second shot clock about to expire, Garnett suddenly stepped back to the three-point line, received a pass from Pierce, and took a three-point shot!
Garnett has a reliable mid-range shot, but he is not good at three-pointers. When he was younger, he would also try to shoot a few three-pointers in games. In his peak season, he averaged one three-point attempt per game with a success rate of nearly 40%.
This season...
The team has Ray Allen, Pierce, and House, all of whom are good at three-pointers. Garnett also focuses on playing inside and didn't make a single three-pointer all season.
This shot was purely out of necessity, just like the three-pointer Rondo made a minute earlier. The Lakers were trying to prevent the Celtics from committing a 24-second violation, and Garnett had no choice but to circle to the three-point line and shoot over Wei Guo. The basketball spent an extremely long time in the air.
As Gentry said, the Celtics have a bit of luck on their side tonight, and hopefully that luck will stay with them!
Coach Sanders also stood up. This was a three-pointer that could decide the outcome of the game, and he hoped it would go in more than anyone else. His eyes were fixed on the basketball, and his palms were sweating with nervousness.
"Whoosh!!!"
The basketball went into the net.
The stadium was initially silent, then erupted in thunderous cheers, as if the Celtics had already won the game.
87:91!!
The Lakers are down by 4 points.
Only 37 seconds left in the game!!!
Rivers had been watching the game closely. As Gasol walked to the baseline to inbound the ball, Rivers immediately yelled, "Lakers, if you don't call a timeout, get back on defense right now! Don't let Weiguo receive the ball!"
You can do so much in 37 seconds!
McGrady once achieved the miracle of scoring 13 points in 35 seconds. Shortly after, Wei Guo once again achieved 14 points in 35 seconds in a game against the Spurs, one point more than McGrady. Even with a 4-point lead, it is not safe to say that the Lakers can win the game. The Lakers are very likely to seize a fast break and then leave themselves another offensive opportunity!
"Full-court press!"
Rivers shouted again, "Get physical, double-team Wei Guo, don't let the Lakers get into a fast break, and definitely don't let Wei Guo receive the ball."
Gentry must have planned the tactics in advance. At this point, the ball was to be passed to Wei Guo. Wei Guo's amazing three-pointers were unstoppable. All that could be done was to double-team him and prevent him from receiving the ball. Gasol passed the free throw to Paul, who dribbled straight to the frontcourt, where Rondo and the others caught up!
Just past midfield, Paul suddenly stopped abruptly and took a step back!
This kind of play has never been seen in the league before. They were about to cross the half-court line, but they dribbled the ball towards the backcourt. You should know that... in addition to the 24-second violation, there is also an 8-second violation, which requires the ball to be dribbled across half-court within 8 seconds, otherwise possession will be lost!
Time was extremely tight!
Paul's sudden stop fooled eight people, but Wei Guo managed to shake off Garnett and Pierce's double-team and catch up with Paul, who then passed the ball behind his back!
Wei Guo receives the ball, jumps, and shoots a three-pointer from the backcourt!
"God!"
Rivers clutched his head in his hands, exclaiming, "Is this guy insane?!"
It has to be said that Paul is a very smart player. His sudden dribble from half-court left the entire Celtics team bewildered and gave Wei Guo the opportunity to receive the ball. Wei Guo once again unleashed his terrifying three-pointer, the basketball drawing a beautiful arc in the air.
"Whoosh!!!"
The moment was neither too long nor too short, and the basketball swished through the net.
In the final minute, it was common knowledge that Wei Guo had a 100% shooting percentage from three-point range, which is why Rivers had Garnett and Pierce double-team Wei Guo to prevent him from receiving the ball. However, they still failed to do so, as Wei Guo not only received the ball but also put it into the basket.
90:91!!
The Lakers are down by one point.
......
"Celtics call a timeout!"
......
Rivers used the last timeout opportunity. The Celtics were still in the lead with only 27 seconds left. If they could make this play, the worst outcome would be overtime.
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