The Pistons, seeing the game wasn't over yet, suddenly got spirited, wanting to attempt an earth-shattering comeback in the final three minutes!
As a result, He Xi Meng immediately hit a logo line three-pointer, then assisted Yao Ming on a layup, and assisted Barnes on a corner three-pointer, cleanly shattering the Pistons' hopes!
In the end, the Celtics defeated the Pistons 4:2, becoming the champions of the Eastern Conference and making their way to the championship stage!
The only regret was that Carter's post-game examination results were grim. It was indeed a torn thigh muscle, requiring at least three weeks of rest, meaning Carter would definitely miss the upcoming Finals!
Kerr was on the verge of tears. "Is God testing me? With a three-peat on the horizon, you pull this stunt?"
Without Carter, the Celtics' big three was missing a piece.
On the other side of the stage, the Spurs were strong and robust, having "coasted" all season to the Finals with no key players injured!
How could they possibly win the Finals?
Kerr felt despair, but Michael Jordan didn't!
Jordan was also present at this game, in the VIP box.
So, after Carter's injury, Jordan immediately went to the locker room and, with one phone call, brought in the top sports medicine doctor in the country whom he was familiar with to diagnose Carter's injury.
Frankly, Jordan still held onto a sliver of hope that Carter could return during the Finals! Play one game if possible.
But the final diagnosis remained unoptimistic. If Carter forced a comeback, it could lead to more severe consequences.
Since their paths diverged, Jordan turned to encourage He Xi Meng: "Without Carter, you and Yao can beat the Spurs. I believe in you..."
He Xi Meng appreciated Jordan's good intentions.
However, He Xi Meng understood this Spurs team better than Jordan.
After he left, this current Spurs team was the best Spurs team!
Duncan was not yet old, Parker had reached his peak, Ginobili had solidified his status as the king of the bench, and Popovich was no longer tinkering with the Spurs' lineup...
The current GDP trio had all reached their career peaks simultaneously. If this wasn't the best Spurs team, what was?
Even more crucially, Popovich was very familiar with He Xi Meng and Yao Ming. Their technical characteristics were completely transparent to Popovich!
When the Finals began, Popovich assigned Oberto to guard Yao Ming in the post, preventing him from getting to the basket, while simultaneously having Duncan roam around Yao Ming, disrupting his turnaround jump shots, directly lowering Yao Ming's shooting percentage!
For He Xi Meng, Popovich assigned Bowen to defend him in isolation, with Parker providing assistance.
The few shooting methods He Xi Meng was accustomed to: the pull-up jumper after handling the ball, off-ball movement on the wing, and long-range threes on the fast break... were all thoroughly studied by the Spurs...
In games G1 and G2, the Spurs won back-to-back games almost effortlessly.
After moving the series to Boston, Kerr made a bold decision and implemented the ultimate "elevator door" tactic: the entire team would play for He Xi Meng!
He Xi Meng did not disappoint the team's expectations, going on a rampage and playing his most spirited game of the playoffs this year!
From beyond the three-point line, He Xi Meng attempted 24 shots, making 12, scoring 36 points from threes alone! He shattered the record for most three-pointers made in a single Finals game.
In addition, He Xi Meng scored another 16 points through drives, mid-range jumpers, and free throws, finishing with a personal score of 52 points!
52 points was also the highest single-game score in the playoffs this year!
Second was LeBron's 46 points.
Third was Kobe's 45 points.
In Game G4, He Xi Meng's scoring frenzy subsided slightly, but Yao Ming broke through the encirclement and put on a tough performance. The Celtics and Spurs battled until the final moments of the game.
On the last possession, Ginobili drove for a layup, and facing Yao Ming's block, he executed a nearly 90-degree flat-out backward shot, successfully making the basket and giving the Spurs a two-point lead.
The Celtics had 4.9 seconds left!
Kerr's final play call prioritized He Xi Meng on the perimeter, with Yao Ming in the post as the second option.
As a result, He Xi Meng was triple-teamed by the Spurs beyond the three-point line!
Popovich was willing to leave other players open to stop He Xi Meng's last-second three-point attempt.
Unable to do anything else, Rondo, who inbounded the ball, was forced to pass it to Yao Ming near the free-throw line. Yao Ming caught the ball and turned for a jump shot!
Duncan, who was solely responsible for Yao Ming, lunged fiercely, only to be called for a foul by the referee!
At such a critical moment, referees are usually reluctant to blow the whistle.
However, this was the Celtics' home court, and the Celtics were clearly at a disadvantage this year... Of course, it was also possible that Duncan's hand did indeed interfere with Yao Ming's arm on this play...
Who knew? Regardless, the referee blew the whistle, and Yao Ming got the chance to shoot free throws.
All the fans in the arena breathed a sigh of relief.
Given Yao Ming's nearly 88% free-throw percentage this season, sending him to the line was equivalent to giving away points.
After making both free throws, the score was tied!
With 1.4 seconds left, the Spurs had no chance to pull off any tricks, and the game went into overtime to decide the winner...
The fans at the scene, as well as the Spurs players, had already prepared for overtime.
Then, Yao Ming's first free throw rimmed out!
The fans were stunned: Yao Ming missed a free throw?
This was a crucial free throw! After missing it, even if he made the second, the Celtics would still be one point behind the Spurs!
In the final 1.4 seconds, the Celtics would have to immediately foul and send a Spurs player to the free-throw line, hoping they would miss, and then in the last fraction of a second, complete an offensive play...
My heavens! The difficulty of reversing the deficit was too great!
The moment Yao Ming missed the shot, he dejectedly threw his hand.
He should have made that shot.
What now? Should he still try to make the second shot as usual?
Yao Ming turned to look at the bench; Kerr had no expression.
But He Xi Meng walked over to Yao Ming, high-fived him, and whispered a few words in his ear.
Upon hearing this, Yao Ming looked back at He Xi Meng with slight surprise.
He Xi Meng smiled and nodded, "You can do it!"
Yao Ming nodded silently, preparing for his second free throw.
For this shot, Yao Ming focused his gaze on the rim of the basket...