In the past, when Johnson was still a player in the league, he was also known for his big heart. But after becoming a head coach, looking at the players on the court deviating from his tactical arrangements, Johnson's heart couldn't help but race wildly…
The feeling was intensely unbearable.
If he had a choice, Johnson would never want to experience this feeling again.
It was the Celtics' turn for the final possession. Kerr found himself in a difficult dilemma: should they go for two points or three?
He Xi Meng stepped forward to help Kerr make the decision: go for two points!
He Xi Meng feigned to receive the ball, drawing the Mavericks' defensive attention. Carter seized the opportunity to catch the pass, not wasting time, and shot for two points!
After a high pick-and-roll, Yao Ming charged straight for the basket, ready to fight for offensive rebounds and a second-chance opportunity! He was prepared for all eventualities.
Kerr immediately made his decision, "We'll run it as He Xi Meng suggested!"
He Xi Meng suddenly had a realization: "Was Kerr truly finding it difficult to decide?"
Did He Xi Meng's主动放弃 (proactively giving up) a three-point play and opting for a two-point strategy, compared to Kerr asking He Xi Meng to give up the three-point play and handing the final shot execution to Carter or Yao Ming, amount to the same thing?
In that instant, He Xi Meng suddenly felt a great admiration for Kerr.
At such a critical juncture, he still remembered to choose the "best" course of action.
However, none of that mattered. As long as the intention was for the good of the team.
After the timeout, the Celtics began to move according to the tactics He Xi Meng had described.
First, Yao Ming actively came to the three-point line to set a screen for He Xi Meng, causing chaos among the Mavericks' defense. Then, He Xi Meng suddenly moved to the far three-point line, stretching the Mavericks' defense thin and creating a large open space on the near side. Carter seized the opportunity, running over to easily receive the ball from Diop!
Carter, holding the ball, didn't hesitate. He used a screen from Ariza and drove diagonally towards the free-throw line.
Upon reaching the vicinity of the free-throw line, Carter suddenly executed a sharp stop-and-pull-back, successfully creating half a step of separation from his trailing defender, Adrian Griffin!
This play bore a strong resemblance, about seven or eight parts, to Michael Jordan's game-winning shot against the Jazz back in the day.
Except now, the player executing the stop-and-pull-up jumper was no longer number 23, Jordan, but number 15, Carter, and the defender was no longer number 3, Bryon Russell, of the Jazz, but number 7, Adrian Griffin, of the Mavericks!
The ball went in, before the whistle!
He Xi Meng's contingency plan was not triggered. Carter's shot was true, helping the Celtics tie the game.
"Beautiful! That shot has eighty percent of my skill!"
After Carter made this near game-tying shot, Michael Jordan, seated in the VIP box, couldn't help but exclaim excitedly to the Mavericks fans beside him.
The Mavericks fans next to him were speechless, offering only an extremely awkward smile in reply.
The true thoughts of the Mavericks fans surrounding Jordan were likely something like this: "t/
However, the Mavericks had not lost yet. They still had a chance, with 2.1 seconds of game time remaining.
This time, under Johnson's strict instructions, Nowitzki did not opt to pass.
In fact, 2.1 seconds was too short for Nowitzki to shake off his defender and have an opportunity to pass to a teammate.
Nowitzki received the ball outside the three-point line at the left 60-degree angle. He took a dribble and, resisting Diop's interference, attempted a strong drive, hoping to draw a foul from Diop.
Unexpectedly, the seemingly simple-minded Diop was defensively savvy. He didn't jump or raise his hands to contest the shot. Facing Nowitzki, who was half a head taller, Diop knew that even with his hands up, he wouldn't be able to affect Nowitzki's shot.
Therefore, all Diop focused on was to impede Nowitzki as much as possible, and to force him to shoot from farther away from the three-point line…
And the moment Nowitzki jumped, Diop instinctively crossed his hands in front of his groin… this not only avoided a foul but also prevented Nowitzki's knee from lifting up in his signature "flamingo" style…
Nowitzki's attempt to draw a foul was in vain, and his buzzer-beating three-pointer missed. The game entered overtime.
In overtime, both teams saw their shooting percentages decrease due to fatigue.
But the Celtics' advantage in the paint with their towering center began to show! He Xi Meng continuously fed the ball to Yao Ming in the post. Yao Ming took a dribble and either drove for a layup or turned for a fadeaway jumper, helping the Celtics score four consecutive points!
As for Nowitzki, even when receiving the ball in the post, his fatigue coupled with his general disinclination for post-up play, and Diop's low center of gravity… In short, Nowitzki missed both his post-up attempts in overtime, failing to score for the Mavericks!
Just as the Celtics were about to pull away, Devin Harris, who had been relatively quiet for most of the game, suddenly stepped up. Under He Xi Meng's close defense, he drained a three-pointer, keeping the Mavericks within striking distance.
Carter then drove strongly against Terry, hitting a layup and extending the Celtics' lead to four points again.
Terry, who had been playing well throughout the game, gritted his teeth and retaliated. He drove to the basket, successfully drawing a foul from Carter.
Terry calmly made both free throws, narrowing the gap to two points once more.
For the Celtics' final possession, He Xi Meng dribbled the ball on the perimeter, running down the clock. Just before the 24-second shot clock expired, he intended to pass the ball to Yao Ming in the paint.
Dampier this time jostled fiercely for position, even resorting to grabbing with his hands. However, the referee remained impassive, refusing to blow his whistle.
He Xi Meng immediately understood that the referee wanted to keep the game suspenseful.
If possible, the league would prefer to see a Game 7 battle.
An extra game in the Finals translates to additional revenue for the league. A Game 7 of the Finals, in particular, represents a considerable sum. If the league could completely control the Finals, they would wish for every series to go to seven games every year…
However, as one of the participants, if given a choice, He Xi Meng would never want to give the Mavericks a chance at a Game 7.
It wasn't that He Xi Meng feared a Game 7, but rather that anything could happen in this league.
Just like in Game 4, the Celtics could experience a collective shooting slump. If such a scenario occurred in a Game 7, it would be an unmitigated tragedy!
Especially this year's Mavericks team, who, when on a roll, were unstoppable even for the Spurs. He Xi Meng dared not underestimate them.
Thus, with Yao Ming facing difficulties receiving the ball, He Xi Meng immediately decided to change the play on the fly.
He Xi Meng first glanced at Carter on the wing. Carter hadn't made his move yet. He was waiting for He Xi Meng to pass the ball to Yao Ming in the post before initiating his cut or driving to the baseline to receive a pass from Yao Ming.
But He Xi Meng had already decided to change the strategy. He wasn't going to pass the ball to Yao Ming in the post anymore…
"Then, I'll be the one to end this game…"