Nash was once a member of the Mavericks.
Many spectators at the scene were once Nash fans, and they knew very well that Nash simply liked to pass the ball.
But...
Nash's scoring ability should never be overlooked.
Ironically, the Mavericks, who were the team most familiar with Nash, overlooked his scoring ability.
This play was essentially a humiliating blunder, with Nash scoring an easy layup. Such a defensive blunder saddened fans, with some even becoming despondent, believing the Mavericks deserved the loss and didn't deserve a win.
......
General Johnson did not call a timeout.
They only have one last timeout left, and they need to save that opportunity for the most crucial moment. If Nowitzki makes a three-pointer now, the Mavericks can still tie the game!
This time...
The Mavericks' offensive tactics were very simple.
Joe Johnson was guarding Terry. His defensive ability was much better than Nash's, and he was also taller than Terry. Terry did not attempt a three-pointer. Instead, he controlled the ball and called for Finley to come out and receive it.
Finley received a pass from Terry, made a wide pass, and passed the ball to Stackhouse in the three-point corner.
Stackhouse takes a three-point shot!
Marion's fingertip touched the basketball, and he turned around excitedly, shouting, "Quick, grab the rebound! I touched the ball!"
However...
"Whoosh!!!"
The basketball went through the net cleanly.
106:106!!
The Mavericks tied the score.
Marion stood there awkwardly. His fingertips had indeed touched the basketball, changing its trajectory, but the ball still went in cleanly. So... if he hadn't touched the basketball, it definitely wouldn't have gone in!
"Stackhouse!!!"
"Stackhouse!!!"
"Stackhouse!!!"
The crowd chanted Stackhouse's name excitedly, as if the goddess of happiness had descended upon the American Airlines Arena, blessing the Mavericks.
......
Even though the score was tied, Gentry didn't call a timeout!
There's no need to waste a pause opportunity on something that Wei Guo can handle.
With 1 minute and 3 seconds left in the game, the Suns began to control the clock. With 5 seconds left on the 24-second shot clock, Wei Guo received the basketball and suddenly turned to dribble towards the center.
"What???"
General Johnson was dumbfounded. "Was Wei Guo trying to dribble the ball back? How could he make such a basic mistake?"
As we watch...
Wei Guo is about to reach the midfield; once he crosses the midfield, it will be considered a return to the field.
Nowitzki yelled, "No! Stop Wei Guo from shooting!!!"
Wei Guo's dribble towards the midcourt was just a feint; once he and Finley had created space, he turned around and launched a long-range three-pointer.
"Whoosh!!!"
The basketball went in just as the 24-second shot clock expired.
Finley then realized that once they crossed the halfway line, they would be within Wei Guo's shooting range, and they could not afford to relax their defense against Wei Guo for even a moment.
109:106!!
The Suns lead by 3 points.
......
There are 39 seconds left!
Youngster Johnson used his final timeout, and this offensive play was crucial.
The Phoenix Suns' bench.
Gentry said, "The Mavericks can only shoot threes, so just defend their outside shooting, especially Nowitzki and Terry."
“Josh, Finley, and Stackhouse should not be overlooked.”
Wei Guo reminded, "On the perimeter, defend one player against one player, and be careful to protect the rebounds."
No one knows which player Johnson will send to shoot, but it's undeniable that all five players on the Mavericks are capable of shooting three-pointers.
This was also the Mavericks' last timeout...
They are very likely to attempt a three-pointer, and then give themselves another chance to attack.
......
The timeout has ended, and the game has resumed.
This long pause...
What tactics did the young general actually devise?
Finley stood on the sideline, and after the whistle blew, Nowitzki moved towards the basket. Terry squeezed through and took the ball from Finley, but... Terry lost the ball under pressure from Johnson!
When the basketball flew out of Terry's hands, the audience covered their eyes in despair, while Finley dove to the floor and hugged the basketball to his chest.
Marion also pressed forward!
If Marion manages to reach for the basketball, it could lead to a scramble for the ball...
Finley knew they didn't have much time, so as Marion rushed over, he forced the ball to Terry. Terry received the pass from Finley and, almost without adjusting, threw the ball directly towards the basket.
"It's off course!!!"
Wei Guo glanced at the trajectory of the basketball and moved towards the basket, while reminding his teammates, "Everyone, go grab the rebound!"
"bang~~~"
The ball hit the top edge of the rim!
What a coincidence...
The basketball bounced towards Josh's position, and Josh jumped in the air and flicked the ball to the three-point line, where Finley immediately caught it.
An open three-pointer!!!
This was a golden opportunity, and Finley didn't hesitate to take a three-pointer.
"Whoosh!!!"
Basketball responded late at night
109:109!!
The Mavericks have closed the gap.
"yeah!!!"
"yeah!!!"
"yeah!!!"
The stadium erupted in cheers once again.
This match, full of twists and turns, almost gave the audience a heart attack.
There are 17 seconds left in the game...
Gentry did not call a timeout, and the score was tied. However, the Suns had possession of the ball, and the Mavericks now had one option: to foul early.
The five Mavericks players on the court were also hesitant about whether to foul prematurely.
They have no timeouts left, so the Suns will definitely give the ball to Wei Guo. Fouling Wei Guo would give the Suns two points. At this point, without a timeout, they would have to inbound the ball from the baseline, dribble it to the frontcourt, and then try to shoot a three-pointer, but the chances are too slim.
If only there was one more chance to pause.
The Suns inbound the ball from the baseline!
really...
The ball wasn't received by Nash, but by Wei Guo. Finley and Terry tried to intercept it, but Wei Guo easily dodged them with his butterfly-like dribbling skills.
Time ticked by, second by second...
Wei Guo, however, was in no hurry to make a move, which made the audience anxious!
Gentry laughed and said, "Williams has a 100% game-winning shot percentage. He always shoots at the buzzer, not even giving the Mavericks a chance to go into overtime!"
"Go commit the foul!!!"
Finley and head coach Johnson both yelled at the same time.
If they didn't foul soon, it would be too late. Four Mavericks players surrounded Wei Guo. Terry was already entangled with Wei Guo, and before Wei Guo could pass the ball, he grabbed Wei Guo around the waist!
This foul...
It was a bit of a surprise. When Terry fouled Wei Guo, he grabbed him and his action was rough and violent, but at the same time he protected Wei Guo and prevented him from falling and getting injured. Wei Guo was so angry that he couldn't even get angry and was forced to go to the free throw line.
There are 9.7 seconds left in the game.
This is enough time for the Mavericks to complete an offensive play. If the Mavericks hit a three-pointer, even if Wei Guo makes both free throws, they can still win the game.
All I can say is...
Wei Guo was careless. He was too confident in his shooting and was just waiting to make a buzzer-beating game-winner against the Mavericks. He didn't expect Terry's foul to be so sudden.
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