In the next offensive possession, the Lakers also managed to execute the three points mentioned above, and thus, they succeeded!
Horry's screen for Kobe was of excellent quality, allowing Kobe to successfully drive into the paint.
O'Neal tried to hold onto David Robinson, but David Robinson didn't give him the chance. With anticipation and movement, he blocked Kobe's direct path to the basket.
In a flash, Kobe didn't force a shot. Instead, following the play called during the timeout, he lobbed the ball over David Robinson to O'Neal behind him!
O'Neal followed through, leaped up, and completed a one-handed alley-oop dunk!
Duncan dunked over O'Neal, and O'Neal dunked over David Robinson!
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth; the two teams were even.
111:111, the game was tied once again.
With only 14 seconds left, the Spurs had one last opportunity to directly kill the Lakers.
If they missed the game-winning shot, the Spurs also had the chance to go into overtime and battle the Lakers again.
Therefore, the situation on the court was generally favorable to the Spurs.
Of course, this advantage was predicated on the Spurs not making any unforced errors during this possession.
If an unforced error occurred and possession changed hands, the situation on the court would instantly reverse.
The Spurs, who were initially in an active position, would become passive.
And the Lakers, who were currently in a passive state, would definitely seek an opportunity to defend against this Spurs' offensive possession. If possible, the Lakers wouldn't mind turning passivity into activity and seizing possession.
"Who's taking this possession?"
With the success of the previous play as experience, Popovich proactively asked for the opinions of the two players on this possession.
He Xi Meng and Duncan exchanged glances. He Xi Meng spoke first, "I'll manage the clock. You go set up in the paint! If you feel good, take the shot directly! If you don't feel good, you can pass it back to me! After I pass to you, I'll go to the wing to get off-ball screens from Manu and Bruce... I'll likely end up in this spot, or this spot..."
As He Xi Meng spoke, he took the tactical board from Popovich and quickly sketched out the play for Duncan.
"Okay, we'll do it like this!" Duncan's reply was concise and clear.
"Understood!" Ginobili and Bowen also nodded simultaneously, indicating they had no problem.
After the timeout, all the Los Angeles fans stood up and chanted, "Defense!"
Inside the Staples Center, the deafening, unified chant echoed.
He Xi Meng calmly received the ball from Bowen on the sideline. Under Kobe's strong interference, he protected the ball and steadily moved towards the top of the arc!
14, 13, 12, 11, 10...
As the game clock's countdown entered the final ten seconds, He Xi Meng didn't make a move. Instead, he raised his hand and lobbed the ball to Duncan, who had positioned himself near the basket, screening Horry!
O'Neal immediately abandoned David Robinson on the far side and moved towards the near side. If Duncan drove to the basket, he would be double-teamed by Horry and O'Neal!
Duncan held the ball with his back to the basket, observing the movements of O'Neal and David Robinson, and tentatively pushed towards the paint! As long as he could get close to the basket, Duncan had many ways to avoid Horry's single-man defense and score!
However, on the near side, Fisher, who was supposed to be guarding Ginobili, also actively collapsed, seemingly preparing to help Horry, or rather, to interfere with Duncan's shot from the low post!
The Zen Master had truly spared no expense to prevent Duncan from shooting!
Seeing this formation, Duncan immediately made a decision!
On the perimeter, after passing, He Xi Meng didn't stay put. He instantly activated, choosing to go towards Ginobili's direction!
Why seek an off-ball screen from Ginobili instead of Bowen?
Because Fisher, who was supposed to be guarding Ginobili, had collapsed inward!
Ginobili vigorously screened Kobe, who was chasing him. Kobe, while breaking free from Ginobili's entanglement, yelled for Fisher to get back on defense!
But it was too late!
With Ginobili's help, He Xi Meng broke free from Kobe's pursuit and ran to the designated spot: the right corner!
On the edge of the paint, Duncan observed the movements of Fisher and He Xi Meng. Without hesitation, he passed the ball directly in front of He Xi Meng, who was still running!
Ball arrived, person arrived! After receiving the pass, He Xi Meng didn't hesitate at all. He pulled up and shot, completing a difficult fadeaway three-pointer with a slight drift!
Kobe, using an action that was nearly a foul, pushed away Ginobili, who was delaying him. Then, along with Fisher, one directly in front and one on the side, they attempted to interfere with He Xi Meng.
But He Xi Meng's shot was too quick. There was no adjustment period, so he didn't leave any openings for their rushed defense!
The two could only watch helplessly as He Xi Meng completed his shot...
With the instinct of a killer, Kobe looked at the trajectory of the basketball and felt a sense of despair! When he landed, he even forgot to slow down, colliding squarely with He Xi Meng!
They both tumbled to the ground, sending the Lakers fans at the sideline into disarray!
"Oh! No..."
Hearing the pained cries of the entire crowd, Kobe knew the game was over!
The Lakers' playoff run was over!
The upcoming Finals would have nothing to do with him, and nothing to do with the Lakers!
Looking at He Xi Meng, who had sat up beside him with a calm expression, Kobe shook his head and grudgingly congratulated him, "You win!"
He Xi Meng shook his head and pointed to his Spurs teammates, who were rushing towards him, and corrected, "Not me, us!"
Kobe was speechless and got to his feet.
He Xi Meng didn't move, he was waiting for his teammates.
As a result, Kobe turned and extended his hands towards him!
He Xi Meng was momentarily stunned, but he still grabbed Kobe's hands and stood up.
"I thought you'd just brush it off and walk away!"
He Xi Meng muttered softly. Kobe pulled at the corners of his mouth dismissively, "It's just a championship trophy, giving it to you is..."
After speaking, they looked at each other and burst into laughter, then shook hands, bumped chests, and hugged!
He Xi Meng knew that Kobe hated losing more than anyone. This was far more than just losing a championship.
Kobe also knew that He Xi Meng understood his unwillingness to accept defeat.
The person who understands you best is sometimes your friend, and sometimes your opponent.
And for Kobe, He Xi Meng was both a friend and an opponent!
After these few simple gestures, Kobe handed He Xi Meng back to the surging Spurs players behind him!
114:111!
He Xi Meng hit a buzzer-beater to defeat the Lakers, helping the Spurs win the 2001-2002 Western Conference Championship with a 4:2 series lead!
This also meant the Spurs had earned a ticket to the final Finals, where they would face the Nets from the Eastern Conference!
With the Lakers eliminated by the Spurs, would the Nets still be a stumbling block for the Spurs on their way to the championship?