He Xi Meng immediately changed his passing target, faking a cross-court pass to the high post for Malone with his right hand, then with his left elbow, he made a no-look backward pass to Kevin Martin on the baseline!
This pass was inspired by Jason Williams, famously known as "one dribble, nine panicked people"!
He Xi Meng did not advocate for "White Chocolate's" flashy style. For a point guard, Jason Williams' playstyle was too flamboyant, deceiving opponents and even his own teammates, completely lacking in sportsmanship!
However, from a fan's perspective, Jason Williams' playstyle was truly spectacular. Because you never knew where or to whom White Chocolate's next pass would go. This sense of unknown anticipation, like buying a lottery ticket, was captivating.
This was why Jason Williams' reputation was so polarized.
Those who disliked "White Chocolate" thought he played too showily and had too high a turnover rate, believing he should change his style.
But those who liked "White Chocolate" deeply admired his playing style, considering his unpredictable and free-flowing approach to be the most aesthetically pleasing.
He Xi Meng rarely borrowed or imitated Jason Williams' playstyle in his usual games.
But as the saying goes, just because you don't use it doesn't mean you can't.
When the game required it, He Xi Meng naturally absorbed the essence of Jason Williams' passing, taking this elbow no-look pass to its extreme!
Kevin Martin received He Xi Meng's elbow pass and, facing an open basket, soared for an layup!
The crowd immediately rose to their feet, cheering He Xi Meng's unbelievable pass! This included Michael Jordan and Larry Bird in the VIP box.
"Incredible pass!"
Whether they were faking it or not, as soon as the camera panned to them, the two of them, with uncanny synchronicity, exclaimed this same sentiment!
Facing the roaring ovation from the entire stadium, He Xi Meng himself felt a bit embarrassed.
"An accident! It was all an accident..."
On the sidelines, Coach Larry Brown instantly became furious! He wasn't angry about He Xi Meng's elbow pass, but rather that Kevin Martin had so easily slipped past He Xi Meng's back, and no Pistons player had stopped him...
The players on the court could only helplessly endure Larry Brown's tirade. This play was indeed a defensive lapse on their part.
Kevin Martin should not have been given such an easy scoring opportunity.
Turning around, Lin Chih-Hung pushed the ball past half-court. Hamilton called for the ball at the high post, then isolated and drove past Tony Allen for a mid-range pull-up jumper, salvaging some dignity.
In the subsequent defense, the Pistons were on high alert, wary of He Xi Meng pulling off another trick and also of Kevin Martin lurking around.
He Xi Meng called for a pick-and-roll with Malone, but couldn't find a good opportunity. The ball returned to He Xi Meng, who then initiated another pick-and-roll with Malone.
But this time, Kevin Martin was tightly guarded by Du Pri and couldn't slip to the baseline. He Xi Meng, sticking to the original plan, passed back to Malone after the pick.
Malone, with a high post-up, hit a mid-range jumper over Lin Chih-Hung!
Under He Xi Meng's organization and connection, the Celtics' rotation lineup played very methodically.
While their defense might have struggled to completely stop the Pistons' offense due to inexperience or slow footwork, their offense was not panicked or disjointed. Instead, under He Xi Meng's direction, they played very efficiently.
The result of this was that the Celtics' bench lineup withstood the Pistons' counter-attack during the rotation time!
By the time the Celtics' starting lineup began to return to the court, the Pistons had only narrowed the deficit to 2 points, still trailing the Celtics by 7!
Larry Brown's strategy of shrinking the rotation had proven futile. Not only did he fail to launch the desired counter-attack, but the Celtics' rookies had also worn down the Pistons' energy and fighting spirit.
When Carter and Yao Ming returned, He Xi Meng naturally went to the bench to rest, allowing Old Payton to come in and help orchestrate the offense.
In reality, He Xi Meng's stamina was not an issue. However, with the team in a leading position, it was important for him to rest when possible; one could never have too much reserve stamina.
He Xi Meng returned to the court just before halftime.
During He Xi Meng's absence, Billups began to exert pressure! With drives and three-pointers, he managed to narrow the score to just 2 points!
Upon He Xi Meng's return, he retaliated in kind, pulling up for a contested three-pointer from the top of the arc over Billups.
Billups closed out aggressively, trying to get into He Xi Meng's head.
He Xi Meng seized the opportunity, faking and waiting for Billups to be half a beat late, then intentionally presented his right shooting arm for Billups to make contact... Billups couldn't pull back even if he wanted to in mid-air!
With a shout from He Xi Meng, the referee's whistle blew as expected.
Billups was called for a foul, a three-point foul at that!
"Hey, man, there's something wrong with that shot! Were you trying to draw a foul on purpose?"
"How is that possible? You charged in too hard on defense and couldn't stop! I wanted to jump, and your flight path was right in my jumping direction. I couldn't avoid you..."
Billups glared fiercely at He Xi Meng, feeling he had played dirty. He was already a deadly three-point shooter, and now he was trying to draw fouls...
"Shameless..."
He Xi Meng ignored Billups' grumbling and, after high-fiving his teammates, stepped up to the free-throw line with confidence.
First free throw, made!
Second free throw, also made!
Third free throw, made again!
"This is a disaster! This foul cost us dearly..."
With He Xi Meng making all three free throws, Billups' face grew even more sullen. The momentum he had built up against Payton was immediately stifled by He Xi Meng's arrival.
He Xi Meng helped the Celtics re-extend their lead to 5 points!
Billups turned around, looking to respond with a three-pointer, but He Xi Meng seemed prepared, anticipating Billups' choice and closing out aggressively!
He was clearly testing Billups: "How about you try to draw a three-point foul on me?"
Billups was tempted to draw a foul on He Xi Meng, but considering how fake He Xi Meng's move looked, and how it seemed like a trap, not to mention that they were in Boston, at the TD Garden...
Billups decided to hold back, not wanting to get into an argument with He Xi Meng, and instead drove to the basket!
He Xi Meng wore a triumphant smile, instantly retracting his body, which should have jumped, and slid into a defensive stance, staying close to Billups as he drove to the paint. He didn't stop there, loudly calling for Yao Ming to provide help defense...
Billups felt a million alpacas stampeding through his mind, wanting to kill He Xi Meng.