The Lakers' comeback in the third quarter allowed them to establish a lead.
Kobe and O'Neal didn't rest throughout the game, but in the first half of the fourth quarter, Kiddles hit three consecutive three-pointers to bring the score back.
There are now 3 minutes and 7 seconds left in the game.
87:91!!
The Lakers still have a 4-point lead.
The Zen Master wanted to win the game in one fell swoop. He didn't want the game to go into overtime. Although Wei Guo had only played in the professional league for three years, his 100% game-winning shot percentage and undefeated record in overtime were like a sword of Damocles hanging over the Lakers' heads.
Stockton leisurely dribbled the ball across the frontcourt.
"Defense!"
"Defense!"
"Defense!"
The cheers from the home fans grew louder and louder.
This game is crucial for the Lakers; a loss would put them down 0-3.
Leaving aside the finals...
Throughout the entire playoffs, there has never been a case of a team coming back from a 0-3 deficit to win.
Wei Guo set a screen for Stockton at the three-point line. After getting around the defender, Malone still stuck close to Wei Guo. Malone is very familiar with this kind of screen-and-roll tactic!
Therefore, he also understands how to break this pick-and-roll!
Stockton had a chance to lay up, but he hesitated because O'Neal was still under the basket. With his current speed, O'Neal could easily come to the rescue once he got to the paint, and he still wouldn't have a chance to score.
"Whoosh~~~"
Stockton passed the ball to Kiddels again!
Kiddles is the Nets' hope for the fourth quarter. He has made all three of his three-point attempts. After receiving the pass, Kiddles took a step back to the three-point line!
"Shoot!"
Wei Guo moved towards the basket, saying, "I'll get the rebounds for you!"
This sentence seemed to give Kiddles a shot in the arm, and he decisively took a three-pointer against George's defense!
"Whoosh!!!"
The crisp sound of rinsing the net could be heard.
90:91!!
He made all four of his three-point attempts.
Kiddels excitedly pumped his fist and roared, "Fuck!!!"
It's strange how players tend to swear when they're excited, even on casual basketball courts. After a great layup or a three-pointer over an opponent, they'll excitedly yell, "Fuck!!!"
......
The Zen master immediately called for a halt!
The Nets are down by only one point, which is very dangerous for the Lakers!
and...
Wei Guo didn't have many standout moments in the fourth quarter, which was different from what the Zen Master had expected.
He guessed that Wei Guo would shoulder the scoring burden when the team was behind, but Wei Guo was like an invisible man in the fourth quarter. He only restricted the Lakers' defense and had very few personal offensive attempts.
On the contrary, it was substitute player Kiddels.
He made all four of his three-point attempts in the fourth quarter and five of his six field goal attempts, scoring 14 points.
"There are still a little over two minutes left..."
The Zen master said, "Our defensive focus should remain on protecting the country!"
This defensive tactic was very reasonable, and it was precisely because of this tactic that the Nets almost lost the game.
However, the timeout called by the Zen Master was mainly to arrange offensive tactics. This offensive play was crucial for the Lakers. They had to get the ball in to extend their lead. If this offensive play failed and the Nets scored again, the Lakers would fall behind!
Once you fall behind...
With just over two minutes left, the Nets will not give the Lakers any more chances.
......
The timeout ends, and the Lakers launch an attack.
Strictly adhering to the offensive tactics laid out by the Zen Master, the Lakers played with great patience, making several passes!
Until there were only 5 seconds left on the attack!
O'Neal created a mismatch under the basket, Mourning was drawn away by Malone, and the player guarding O'Neal became Kenyon. O'Neal's big butt was against Kenyon, and he turned around and made a small hook shot!
"Foul! Foul! Foul!"
Kenyon yelled and grabbed O'Neal; the foul was almost shameless!
O'Neal, furious, shoved Kenyon away, yelling, "Do you even know how to play basketball?!"
Kenyon resorted to shamelessness, spreading his hands and swaying his hips and shoulders, "I can't play basketball... if you can, then make those two free throws!"
At times like this...
Kenyon's use of the "Hack-a-Shaq" strategy was very reasonable because he couldn't defend Shaq at all, so he gambled on Shaq missing free throws!
"The 'Hack-a-Shark' tactic may be a bit shameless, but it works very well."
Gentry wondered, "After all these years, why hasn't O'Neal thought to practice his free throws properly?"
Some people say...
Shaquille O'Neal's large hands meant it was unlikely he could significantly improve his shooting.
However, not all big men are inaccurate at free throws. Yao Ming of the Rockets, who is taller than Shaquille O'Neal, is the Rockets' most accurate free throw shooter.
Needless to say, Wei Guo also set a terrifying record last season with a 100% free throw percentage. He is not one of those role players who only get a few free throw opportunities throughout the season. Wei Guo had a total of 769 free throw attempts last season, averaging more than nine free throws per game.
769 penalties, 769 hits!!!
This is the most terrifying part...
Despite so many examples, O'Neal still doesn't take it seriously.
"bang~~~"
Missed the first free throw!
"bang~~~"
Missed the second free throw!
For the Lakers, nothing could be worse than Wei Guo grabbing the defensive rebound.
Wei Guo dribbles the ball up the court!
Kobe closely guarded Wei Guo, and he didn't risk a steal. If he failed to steal the ball, it would be tantamount to giving Wei Guo a chance to shoot.
Kidds was already lurking in the three-point corner...
Wei Guo dribbled with a crossover step, broke through Kobe's left side, and when he got to the basket, he held the ball in his right hand and threw it into the air, making a fake move that sent Kobe flying!
Wei Guo turned around to avoid Kobe, and just as he was about to shoot, Malone and O'Neal pounced on him!
really!!!
The Zen Master made the right bet. Both Kiddles and Jefferson had shooting opportunities, but Wei Guo didn't pass the ball; he chose to go one-on-one!
O'Neal and Malone have blocked all of Wei Guo's offensive routes!
At this critical moment, Wei Guo flicked his wrist and threw the ball between O'Neal and Malone – this was not a shooting motion!
While Malone was still in a daze...
The Zen master roared, "Stop Wei Guo! He's trying to throw himself into the trap!"
The Zen Master once again predicted Wei Guo's next move, and he was right! When Wei Guo had no chance to shoot, he could only throw the ball onto the backboard, then go around Malone, and as the ball bounced off, he jumped up and caught it in mid-air!
Wei Guo's head was already higher than the basketball hoop...
It wasn't a matter of whether Malone wanted to grab the rebound or not. Even if he had the idea, he didn't have the ability. When he looked up, all he could see was Wei Guo's armpits!
"Bang!!!"
Wei Guo delivered a super thunderous dunk over Malone!
92:91!!
The Nets took a one-point lead.
With only 1 minute and 27 seconds left in the game, it was the most crucial moment.
......
"Lakers request a timeout!"
The Zen master called for a pause again!
Every offensive play by the Lakers is important. He's not like Gentry. If he were Gentry, he would definitely have called a timeout to properly plan the offense after O'Neal missed those two free throws.
But...
The Nets didn't do that; their scoring was entirely due to Wei Guo's individual ability.
The tactic just now was undoubtedly successful. The reason for the change was that Kenyon was a scoundrel who actually fouled directly. Moreover, when Kenyon hugged O'Neal, he shouted "Foul, foul, foul" as if he was afraid the referee wouldn't know that he had fouled.
Shaquille O'Neal was a disappointment too!
He missed both of those crucial free throws!
"This shot is crucial...you need to play like this!"
The Zen Master had the players surround him, and while holding his tactical board, he began to speak, "Blah blah blah..."
...
The timeout is over, the game continues!
The Zen master crossed his arms over his chest, his face as still as water.
If the Lakers miss this shot, they'll be in real danger. They not only need to make this shot, but they also need to defend against the Nets' next attack!
The Zen Master also didn't want the game to go into overtime...
Kobe and Shaq didn't rest for a minute, both of them were at their physical limit, and playing overtime would be very disadvantageous for the Lakers!
Fisher dribbles the ball up the court!
Kobe and George made a cross-cutting run, while Malone and O'Neal were positioned in a straight line!
For a fleeting moment, the Lakers' five players resembled a string of candied hawthorns, a tactic that was not common, leaving the Nets momentarily at a loss for how to defend!
"Watch out for the basket!"
Wei Guo pointed to the basket and said, "I'll guard Kobe!"
If you don't know how to defend, then lock down the Lakers' two scoring options. Kobe and Shaq are undoubtedly the Lakers' two strongest scoring options. If Malone and Payton were both in their prime, this team would be invincible. Fortunately, that hypothetical scenario doesn't exist!
Mourning and Kenyon moved toward the basket, both focused on O'Neal!
Kobe Bryant could dodge and weave, but he couldn't escape Wei Guo's defense... Wei Guo's defense, like his offense, is top-tier in the league. He can play from point guard to center, and he can also defend from point guard to center.
Lakers players running plays...
Fisher reached the top of the arc, O'Neal passed the ball out, and Fisher caught the ball and shot!
Holy crap!!!
Gentry suddenly stood up. "Fischer shooting a three-pointer?!"
Gentry hadn't foreseen this tactic, and even Wei Guo hadn't expected the Lakers to place their bets on a substitute player at such a crucial moment.
That's too daring...
Fisher did not disappoint the Zen Master; he may truly be a player with a big heart.
"Whoosh!!!"
The basketball went into the net.
92:94!!
The Lakers regained a two-point lead.
With one minute left in the game, the Zen Master turned to look at Gentry, wondering if he would call a timeout to devise a strategy. However, Gentry simply stood on the sidelines with his hands on his hips, looking like he was in complete control.
"What a pretentious act..."
The Zen Master scoffed, "The Nets lost, and you, as the head coach, are to take the blame!"
The Zen Master had previously instructed that if the Nets did not call a timeout, they should double-team Wei Guo and focus all their defensive efforts on him, because Wei Guo was the Nets' tactic.
......
Wei Guo got the ball in midfield!
The Lakers showed no mercy, with Kobe and Malone double-teaming Wei Guo. The physical confrontation was intense, and Wei Guo was almost pushed back into the backcourt by the two.
If Wei Guo had returned to the backcourt, the referee with the crooked nose in this game would have undoubtedly called for the Nets to return to the court and then changed possession, putting the Nets in an extremely passive position.
The teammates understood...
At this time, we cannot rely entirely on Weiguo!
Kenyon stepped forward and positioned diagonally to Kobe's left, setting a screen for Wei Guo near midcourt. Wei Guo managed to shake off the defense, dribbled two steps, and was then double-teamed by Kobe and Malone again!
Kidds has an open spot!
Once the basketball was in his hands, he was confident he could put it in the basket, but he didn't yell for Wei Guo to pass the ball. Not interfering with Wei Guo was the best teammate.
"You really think you can stop me like this?!"
Wei Guo was not afraid of physical contact, and after a series of crossover dribbles, he pulled up for a shot!
Kobe and Malone jumped with their arms outstretched!
With his body leaning back, Wei Guo could no longer see the basket, and his shooting position was still three steps away from the three-point line.
These constraints could not stop Wei Guo from scoring. The basketball flew from Wei Guo's fingertips like a missile equipped with a positioning system, accurately entering the basket.
95:94!!
The Nets have once again taken a one-point lead.
The Lakers had done their best to defend, and the fact that the ball still made was due to Wei Guo's individual skill; they had no way to stop him!
The Zen master hesitated...
The Lakers have one last timeout, but they can't use it!
This offensive play needed to be resolved on the court, but Phil Jackson still yelled, "Spread out, spread out, let Kobe go one-on-one!"
This is a disruption tactic!
The Nets players also heard this, and they had to wonder what the Zen Master meant by those words.
Are they really letting Kobe go one-on-one? Or are they trying to disrupt the Nets' defensive strategy?
In short...
The Lakers players must understand this tactic.
Just like when he asked Fisher to shoot a three-pointer, the Zen Master is a cunning old fox when it comes to tactical arrangements. It's normal for him to come up with some unexpected moves, and no one can guess what he's thinking.
Kobe catches the ball!
Facing Wei Guo's defense, Kobe dribbled the ball slowly.
"Bang!"
The basketball is in the left hand!
"Bang!"
The basketball is now in my right hand!
Wei Guo took a half step back, with his left foot forward. This defensive move was to guard against Kobe's breakthrough from the right side. Kobe's dominant hand is his right hand, and a breakthrough from the right side is very dangerous.
"It really is..."
Wei Guo glanced out of the corner of his eye and saw that Ma Long and the others had already created space. "Let you fight one-on-one."
"Bang!"
The basketball bounced up again, and Kobe pushed off with his left foot, breaking through from the left side.
Wei Guo took a step back and followed!
Kobe was battling Wei Guo in the air, his body twisted and deformed, but he didn't shoot. Instead, he lobbed the ball high toward the basket as his body began to fall.
A falling jump shot!
This move has a difficulty rating of five stars!
Moreover, it was done under Wei Guo's defense. If this shot had gone in, it would definitely have become one of Kobe's top ten plays of his career.
The audience all stood up...
"Whoosh!!!"
This is the most beautiful sound in the world.
95:96!!
Kobe did not disappoint the audience, nor did he disappoint the head coach.
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