Under He Xi Meng's strong counterattack, the Celtics gradually found their rhythm, preventing the Nets from building a scoring advantage with a decisive run.
Once the game devolved into a back-and-forth battle, the Nets' offensive firepower no longer held the advantage.
Fortunately, with the convenience of home-court whistles, the Nets managed to drag the game to its final moments against the Celtics.
However, the Celtics suddenly shifted their offensive focus in the final stretch, with He Xi Meng abandoning three-pointers and instead passing to Yao Ming in the paint!
Yao Ming had remained restrained in the first two games, and despite possessing an interior advantage, he had been content to play a supporting role to He Xi Meng and Carter, which gradually lulled the Nets into a false sense of security.
At the critical juncture of this game, when He Xi Meng and Carter couldn't seal the deal, Yao Ming stepped up with a powerful offensive play, becoming the final straw that broke the Nets' back!
In the last three minutes, Yao Ming scored 8 consecutive points through strong interior plays and free throws, a run that helped the Celtics secure the victory!
The Nets lost at home once again, 96:99, finding themselves on the brink of a 0:3 deficit.
Even though no fans had expected the Nets to pull off an upset before the series began, many still hoped they could snatch at least one victory from the Celtics, avoiding the embarrassment of being swept, especially the Nets fans in New Jersey.
From the current situation, it seemed that even avoiding a sweep had become a mere wish...
In Game 4, the Nets were at a point of no return, fighting a desperate battle.
The league higher-ups also apparently did not want to see a one-sided affair and aimed to create some difficulty for the defending champions.
Therefore, not long after this game began, Yao Ming, who had delivered the decisive performance in Game 3, found himself in foul trouble and was forced to sit out.
The referees used their whistles to weaken the Celtics' interior advantage, aiming to balance the two teams' strengths.
Coach Kerr initially intended to bring in the starting backup center, Perkins, to replace Yao Ming, but He Xi Meng advised him to use the third-string center, Gortat.
Perkins' weight had not yet spiraled out of control at this point, so he still possessed his abilities; otherwise, he wouldn't have consistently played as Yao Ming's backup during the regular season.
However, Perkins was better suited to playing against dominant centers like O'Neal.
The Nets did not have a dominant center; neither Collins nor Kostić could be considered top-tier interior players. The Nets' primary scoring threats were concentrated in their backcourt trio: Pierce, Jefferson, and Kidd!
Therefore, the requirement for the center was more about interior help defense and rotations, testing the player's rim-protecting ability.
In comparison, Gortat, with his superior athleticism and stronger defensive attitude, seemed more suitable to deal with this Nets team.
After He Xi Meng's analysis, Kerr immediately made the decision to have Gortat play!
The Nets assumed that with Yao Ming off the court, they could focus their offense on the Celtics' interior.
Kidd lobbed the ball to Kostić, intending for him to overpower the young Gortat.
Although Gortat was young, he was unfazed on defense. He calmly anticipated, didn't fall for Kostić's pump fake, absorbed Kostić's bump, disrupted his footwork, and leaped up, successfully blocking Kostić's turnaround jumper!
The block was clean and decisive; even if the referee wanted to call a foul, they couldn't find grounds.
Carter seized the opportunity to grab the loose ball and wanted to initiate a fast break himself, but unexpectedly, while driving towards the three-point line, he was double-teamed by Pierce and Kidd, and the ball was intercepted by Pierce!
After getting the ball, Pierce turned to start a fast break but didn't notice He Xi Meng trailing him. The moment Pierce accelerated, He Xi Meng snatched the ball back!
Kidd, behind Pierce, couldn't react in time and tried to scramble for the ball again, but He Xi Meng didn't give him that chance, securing the ball and preparing to drive to the basket!
Kidd went all out, delivering a hard foul, grabbing the ball and the player, pulling He Xi Meng down from mid-air!
He Xi Meng did not expect Kidd's foul to be so severe. He couldn't adjust his body in mid-air and was directly pulled down by Kidd!
"Bang!"
A heavy thud echoed through the arena, followed by gasps from the crowd!
Carter immediately rushed to Kidd's side, arguing with him!
Gortat followed suit! He didn't care who Kidd was! Before the season began, Gortat had promised to be He Xi Meng's loyal protector; how could he not step up at a crucial moment?
Playing at home, the Nets were naturally not going to back down!
Pierce stepped up to support Kidd, confronting Gortat!
Although Carter and Kidd's verbal sparring was fierce, they were old acquaintances and well-established in the league, making a physical altercation unlikely.
But the matchup between Gortat and Pierce was another story!
Captain Pierce always had a scowl on his face, appearing arrogant and defiant.
Due to their status, most players in the league gave Pierce some respect.
However, Gortat had only been in the league for a season and hadn't fully figured out who was who.
Whether it was Pierce or Taurs, Kidd or Kimi, anyone messing with his team's leader was unacceptable!
So, while Carter confronted Kidd and Pierce backed him up, Gortat directly went at Pierce!
Pierce had only intended to cheer Kidd on, but when Gortat aggressively charged over, rolling up his sleeves and preparing for a fight, Pierce's competitive spirit was immediately ignited!
However, Pierce, being battle-hardened, didn't throw a punch but instead head-butted Gortat!
Gortat, with his fists ready, was taken aback when Pierce unexpectedly butted his head forward. He was bewildered!
What was this? A headbutt expert?
As someone raised in a family of boxers and a semi-professional boxer himself, Gortat's innate pride made him unwilling to strike someone who wasn't fighting.
Thus, in a moment of desperation, Gortat emulated Pierce and violently head-butted him back...
"Clang!"
That headbutt was something else!
It was so forceful that Carter and Kidd, who had been spitting insults, involuntarily turned their heads to look!
Pierce was dazed by Gortat's headbutt, his trash talk cut short and forced back down his throat.
"Damn it, this kid doesn't play by the rules! It was just a headbutt, did you have to put so much force into it?"
Gortat was also dizzy, but compared to Pierce, Gortat was better prepared. Despite the pain and dizziness, he wasn't disoriented.
After colliding with Pierce, Gortat continued to glare fiercely, his eyes asking Pierce, "Are you going to headbutt again?"
Pierce was in an awkward position, unsure whether to continue or back down. At this point, the referees finally intervened, stepping between them and forcibly separating them...