The International team narrowed the gap to 2 points again, and one more goal would tie the score for the International team.
James Worthy also couldn't sit still. He made adjustments, bringing back the core lineup led by Kobe and O'Neal, preparing for a final showdown with the International team!
Kobe, back on the court, hit a three-pointer from the top left of the arc, defended by Ginobili's fierce pressure!
Then, Kobe didn't point his finger at Ginobili, but at He Ximeng on the other side...
What did He Ximeng do to deserve this? Didn't he just dislike aggressively scoring points? Did Kobe need to stare down He Ximeng like this?
Turning around, He Ximeng wanted to create another shooting opportunity for Ginobili to help him counter Kobe's provocation, but Kobe was chasing Ginobili too closely, basically not giving him space to catch the ball.
Helpless, He Ximeng had to calm himself down and take on Tyronn Lue one-on-one, hitting a step-back three-pointer to help Ginobili retaliate against Kobe...
Kobe didn't stop and continued to attack. Ginobili, with no other choice, sent Kobe to the free-throw line.
As a result, Kobe made both free throws, his shooting percentage as steady as ever. The foul tactic wasn't working against Kobe.
Under their head coach's orders, the American team's interior players, O'Neal and Tim Thomas, began to increase their defensive intensity. With Stephen Jackson, the small forward, also tightening his defense, the American team was prepared to guard the paint, stifle the International team's twin towers, and wear down their opponents.
Gasol and Nowitzki's strong plays in the paint were disrupted by the American team, and the International team suddenly fell into a scoring drought.
Tyronn Lue took advantage of the chaos to drive for a fast break layup, widening the lead to 6 points again!
Garding the paint, leaving the perimeter open, containing Ginobili, and letting Tyronn Lue guard He Ximeng one-on-one...
The American team's various defensive strategies were all based on underestimating He Ximeng's offensive ability, because they believed He Ximeng was not good at scoring.
Although He Ximeng had already made three three-pointers from the perimeter, after careful evaluation, James Worthy still believed that Gasol and Nowitzki in the paint posed a greater threat to the American team!
This was because James Worthy believed that three-pointers couldn't kill people!
Even on the International team's side, head coach Bobby Jones was loudly reminding He Ximeng, "Bravely drive into the paint..."
He Ximeng wasn't afraid to drive into the paint; he was just asking why he should force his way inside when there were opportunities on the outside.
On this play, He Ximeng called for a screen from Gasol, blocking Tyronn Lue behind him. He then feigned a drive, making O'Neal retreat into the paint. He Ximeng took advantage of the situation, stepped back to the three-point line, and pulled up for a three-pointer!
Tyronn Lue couldn't get through, and O'Neal couldn't get close. He Ximeng's three-pointer was successful again!
The American team stuck to their previous defensive strategy, believing He Ximeng couldn't maintain such a high three-point shooting percentage.
O'Neal drove hard against Gasol, who fouled him and sent him to the free-throw line.
O'Neal's free-throw shooting wasn't as steady as Kobe's. After making one of two, He Ximeng turned around and hit another three-pointer!
"Damn it! Who said player number 4 couldn't score just now?"
The audience was silent.
"How many three-pointers has he made now?"
"Let me check my notebook... hmm, five! Five for five!"
"100% accuracy?"
"100%!"
"My eyes are deceiving me! I didn't realize this kid could shoot so well!"
"It looks like we need to re-evaluate our assessment of the International team's number 4 player..."
With two consecutive three-pointers, He Ximeng had brought the score to within 1 point!
The game entered its final minute.
Kobe was very dissatisfied with his teammates' performance in the last few minutes, both offensively and defensively.
While the entire American team didn't believe He Ximeng could beat them with his shooting, Kobe actually did! He had always believed that He Ximeng was hiding his strength on offense...
Now, He Ximeng was simply showing his true ability... What were his teammates panicking or being surprised about?
"The next minute is mine to control. See how I defeat He Ximeng..."
On the first play after Kobe took over, he was about to go post-up on Ginobili but was met with He Ximeng's help defense. Kobe almost lost the ball and had to pass it to Tyronn Lue on the other side. After a quick pass, he received the ball again and drove from the front!
He Ximeng and Ginobili didn't have time to double-team, and Kobe forced his way into the paint, hitting a floating jump shot!
The International team was down by three points. Everyone expected He Ximeng to shoot like Kobe, but He Ximeng was still passing the ball in a critical moment!
After using Gasol's high-post screen to drive into the paint, He Ximeng was double-teamed by multiple American players in the low post!
Amidst the heavy coverage, He Ximeng showed no fear, calmly passing the ball through the defenders to an unguarded Nowitzki under the basket!
Nowitzki caught the ball, jumped, and slammed it home with both hands!
The score was narrowed to 1 point again, with only 30 seconds left on the clock! After the American team completed a 24-second possession, the International team had about 6 seconds left!
Both teams had used up their timeouts and had to rely on the players on the court to decide the outcome!
Kobe dribbled near midcourt, letting the clock run down, while Ginobili guarded him in the frontcourt.
When the shot clock was down to about 10 seconds, Kobe started his move. Behind Ginobili, He Ximeng and Kirilenko also collapsed. In the paint, Gasol and Nowitzki were ready... The five International players formed a pocket-like double-team on Kobe...
But Kobe remained unfazed, forcefully driving into the paint against the collapsing defense of the five International players. He leaped high and took a fading shot, but the ball circled the rim and didn't drop...
"Rebound!"
Kobe shouted to his teammates after the shot, but it was in vain. Gasol grabbed the ball at the first bounce.
As he descended, Gasol was already looking for He Ximeng...
And when Kobe's shot started to rattle the rim, He Ximeng foresaw the opportunity!
He turned and started sprinting towards the frontcourt! Full speed sprint! Sprinting with all his might!
Tyronn Lue, known for his agility in high school, was surprised to find himself half a step behind and unable to catch up to He Ximeng on this play!
"His absolute speed is actually not inferior to mine?" Tyronn Lue was inwardly terrified.
Seeing He Ximeng's movement, Gasol immediately understood! Without hesitation, he swung his arm and delivered a super long pass across the entire court, straight towards the right side of the basket!
He Ximeng, moving at high speed, leaped into the air, caught Gasol's long pass with both hands, and forcefully slammed the ball into the basket...
An alley-oop dunk to win the game!
Tyronn Lue, who failed to chase him down, could only watch as He Ximeng ended the game with a brutal dunk, described as "lifting mountains and shaking the heavens"!
The crowd erupted in cheers!
No one expected that He Ximeng, who had been gentle and refined throughout the game, scoring only 15 points with five three-pointers, would have such a ferocious side!
89:88, He Ximeng helped the International team reverse the situation in the final moments and defeat Kobe's American team!