Stuckey came on and took a pass from Nowitzki, hitting a corner three-pointer.
But before Stuckey’s three-pointer could warm up, the Celtics responded.
He Xi Meng drove and passed to Carter, who, from a similar position to Stuckey, also hit a corner three-pointer!
The Mavericks attacked again, Stuckey took another three-point shot, the ball bounced off the rim, and Josh Howard fought hard for the offensive rebound, driving to the basket again and drawing a foul from Ariza.
Josh Howard managed to add two points for the Mavericks, Carter drove and passed, returning the ball to He Xi Meng at the top of the arc.
He Xi Meng faked receiving the ball and driving, but instead executed a quick stop and pull-back step, sinking his first three-pointer of the second half…
Without Nowitzki scoring, no matter how hard the Mavericks tried, they couldn't defeat the Celtics on offense.
Ultimately, the home team, the Celtics, relying on a brilliant defensive play by Diaw in the fourth quarter, managed to hold onto their lead, winning 101:96 against the Mavericks and taking a crucial Game 5 victory, leaving them just one step away from a championship repeat!
In Game 6, back in Dallas, the Mavericks had no room for retreat.
“The General” Johnson changed the lineup, replacing Adrian Griffin with Devin Harris at point guard and moving Jason Terry to shooting guard.
This adjustment successfully activated Terry, who had been suppressed by He Xi Meng for five games.
Terry shot 6 of 7 in the first quarter, including 2 of 3 from three-point range, scoring 14 points!
Nowitzki, after being hobbled for five games, finally found his other arm.
Led by Nowitzki, Terry, and Josh Howard, the Mavericks managed to gain a slender lead.
But this advantage was not significant.
At the end of the day, the Mavericks’ own defense was not strong enough.
As long as the Celtics didn't fall into a scoring drought, it would be difficult for the Mavericks to force the Celtics into one.
And He Xi Meng, to avoid any further complications, had reminded all his teammates before the game: "We must treat this game as a Game 7!"
"Air Jordan" came to Dallas to support the team, buying a ticket and sitting courtside to cheer them on!
Well, honestly, it was only "Air Jordan" with his big heart who could sit comfortably in this sea of blue.
If it were anyone else, they would likely worry about how to escape from nearly twenty thousand Mavericks fans if the Celtics actually defeated the Mavericks.
Larry Bird refused "Air Jordan's" invitation to travel together, giving the excuse: "I need to be at home to prepare for a potential Game 7…"
Game 7? It wasn't even certain there would be a Game 7!
"Air Jordan" went to battle alone, a lone warrior in Dallas.
But when the Celtics made a good shot, "Air Jordan" was generous with his applause and cheers.
In the midst of so many Mavericks fans, "Air Jordan's" solitary applause and cheers were clearly jarring.
At first, many Dallas fans were ready to beat up this "traitor," but then the director cut the camera to "Air Jordan," and the Mavericks fans realized it was this legend!
It was this legend, so they had to admit he was amazing! Even on the Mavericks' home court, no one dared to lay a hand on him. Instead, many fans were planning how to get an autograph from "Air Jordan" after the game.
"I just don't know if Michael minds signing on my Mavericks jersey?"
"Are you stupid! Take off the jersey and show your white undershirt!"
"But I'm not wearing a white undershirt today!"
"Then you're on your own! I am, anyway…"
The legend’s presence commands respect wherever he goes, and that's not for nothing!
In this game, the Mavericks played with their best offensive intensity.
Unfortunately, the Celtics were also in excellent form.
So, despite having home-court advantage, the Mavericks couldn't pull away, and the game was forced into the final moments.
111:111, the score was tied, and the Mavericks had possession.
Head coach Johnson arranged for Nowitzki to take the final shot.
The Celtics had anticipated this, deploying Diaw to pressure from the top and Yao Ming positioning himself at mid-court, aiming to double-team Nowitzki and force him into a three-point attempt or a pass to Josh Howard and Terry!
Josh Howard was closely guarded by Ariza, while He Xi Meng was assigned to Terry.
This setup was detailed and targeted. Under normal circumstances, the Mavericks' only option was a strong offensive push.
However, Nowitzki chose to pass at the critical moment!
After being backed down to within a free-throw line step and double-teamed by Yao Ming, Nowitzki took a risky pass to Dampier, who was crashing the boards.
Dampier had transferred from the Warriors that season, doing the dirty work for the Mavericks, and hardly had the qualifications to handle a crucial shot.
But the German Machine had a flash of inspiration and opted for this inside-to-inside pass at the last moment!
At that moment, the two coaches on the sidelines, Kerr and Johnson, were stunned!
Kerr: "Damn! Is Johnson that daring? He chose a minor role player to execute this do-or-die shot?"
Johnson: "Damn! Did I mispronounce a name when I was setting up the play? I don't remember adding Erick to the final play!"
As Dampier caught the ball, his mind was blank: "Who am I? Where am I? Wasn't I going for the rebound? How did I end up taking the last shot?"
However, Dampier was an experienced veteran of the league. In the 1996 draft, Dampier was even selected higher than He Xi Meng and Kobe, at 10th overall.
So, in this moment of confusion, Dampier’s first instinct wasn’t to figure out what was happening, but to immediately throw that damn ball into the opponent's basket…
It was precisely because of Dampier’s instinctive good habit that he avoided being blocked by the recovering Yao Ming!
The ball swished past Yao Ming's fingertips and kissed the glass before falling into the basket!
113:111, with 10 seconds left on the clock, Dampier’s crucial two-point shot gave the Mavericks the lead, and the entire stadium erupted!
While people marveled at Nowitzki's great pass and Dampier's good bank shot, more Dallas fans were praising head coach Johnson's "brilliant" tactical setup for the final play…
On the sideline, "The Little General" Johnson quickly wiped the cold sweat from his temples as the camera focused on the cheering fans.