Chapter 687: With Me Here, We Won't Lose
"Good shot! A very, very crucial putback!" Barkley shouted. "The Knicks still have a 3 point lead, and this game has reached its most intense stage. I cannot help wanting to stand up and watch this thing. I am sure the fans watching at home feel the same way."
"The Celtics did not call timeout," Kenny Smith said. "It looks like Rivers is letting the players handle the situation themselves and decide who takes this shot."
Rose dribbled past half court.
The pace was very slow, but the physical confrontation was intense.
At this point, both sides were no longer chasing speed.
They were chasing success rate.
Rose dribbled to the left side, 60 degrees from the 3 point line.
Stoudemire wanted to post up and call for the ball, but Rose did not pass it to him.
Kenyon Martin was battling him physically, and forcing the ball inside would be risky.
At this point in the game, both teams were extremely cautious.
One careless turnover could cost them the entire night.
Since Stoudemire could not establish position, he quickly pulled out to set a screen for Rose.
His reaction was very quick.
But after only 1 step, Stoudemire stumbled.
He had just gone through fierce physical contact with Kenyon Martin and temporarily lost his balance.
However, Stoudemire's body coordination was excellent. He immediately supported himself with both hands on the floor and got up.
That action, in turn, disrupted Kenyon Martin's rhythm.
Kenyon Martin did not switch after Stoudemire set the screen.
Although Curry got around the screen, Rose's explosiveness was simply terrifying. Before Curry could fully recover, Rose had already stepped into the restricted area.
By the time Rose rose into the air, Curry had completely lost his defensive position.
Rose finished with a midair shot, not because he was afraid of Curry blocking him from behind, but because Rose simply loved layups.
He was the kind of player who never felt comfortable unless he finished at the rim.
121 to 120.
Thunderous cheers erupted again.
The fans desperately tried to pressure the Knicks players, hoping to cause emotional fluctuations and force turnovers.
Curry dribbled to the top of the arc.
Chen Yan still did not get the ball on this possession.
There was nothing he could do.
The closer the game came to the end, the tighter Boston's defense around Chen Yan became. It was almost as if 2 people were hanging on him at all times.
New York's tactical plan was to find Chen Yan, but they could not blindly keep looking for him no matter what.
Curry decisively changed his approach based on the situation on the court, using a pick and roll to move to the right side beyond the 3 point line.
Boston gave Curry enough respect.
Stoudemire blocked his route, and Rose circled around to recover.
They all understood Curry's 3 point shooting ability.
Allowing Curry a comfortable shooting environment at this stage could kill the game.
Curry had no opportunity to drive or shoot, so he pulled the ball back and faced Rose again.
Stoudemire immediately retreated inside, returning to his defensive position and showing excellent mobility.
Curry passed horizontally to Chen Yan, who had already broken free without the ball and run to the top of the arc.
After receiving the ball, Chen Yan did not adjust.
He shot directly.
The shot was extremely sudden.
Chen Yan knew Boston would not give him much time to prepare.
He had to be decisive.
"Swish!"
Before the Celtics could even react, the ball had already gone through the net.
124 to 120.
"Good shot!" Barkley and Kenny shouted almost at the same time from the broadcast table, their voices rising with excitement.
There were only 1 minute and 45 seconds left in the game.
A 4 point difference.
The Knicks held the initiative, almost touching victory with 1 hand.
On the sideline, Rivers was furious as he signaled a tactical play.
However, it seemed he still had no intention of calling timeout.
Rose dribbled past half court.
This possession was for Durant.
Durant protected the ball with his back to the basket, pressing against Battier as he moved toward the top of the arc.
Battier firmly held his defensive position.
He did not dare reach rashly, afraid of giving Durant an easy foul.
Durant suddenly turned and immediately shot a 3 pointer.
This shot was rushed.
With a 4 point gap and little time remaining, it was impossible not to feel anxious.
Clang!
The basketball hit the rim and bounced out hard.
The ball did not bounce high, but it bounced far enough, landing in Stoudemire's hands near the free throw line.
After Stoudemire secured the offensive rebound, New York's defense immediately tightened and shrank inward.
Stoudemire dribbled once, then chose to pass to Durant beyond the 3 point line.
Durant received the ball, took 1 dribble, and shot again over Battier.
This was Durant's rhythm.
Even with Battier still interfering with his shot, Durant calmly sent the ball into the hoop.
"Swish!"
124 to 123.
After the shot went in, Durant was extremely excited, raising both arms in triumph.
The emotions of the fans in TD Garden were stirred up once again.
The entire Celtics team also rose emotionally, and their defensive actions on the next possession inevitably became more aggressive.
The referee turned a blind eye.
This was Boston's home court advantage.
Curry cut after receiving the ball and shot a floater, but it did not go in.
Kenyon Martin fought hard to grab the offensive rebound.
As Kenyon Martin secured the ball, he nearly lost his balance.
Stoudemire, somewhat losing his composure, slammed into him.
Kenyon Martin and the ball both flew out.
The referee's whistle blew.
This play was truly impossible to selectively ignore.
Refereeing was a profound skill.
One could favor the home team, but not too much.
If the balance was not controlled well, conflict between the teams could erupt.
Kenyon Martin stepped to the free throw line.
His free throw percentage was average, only around 60 percent.
Chen Yan did not expect him to make both free throws, but statistically, he should make at least 1.
Otherwise, the Knicks would be at a disadvantage.
But some things simply did not go as planned.
Kenyon Martin missed both free throws, and both shots were short.
The terrifying atmosphere and tense emotions inside the arena had indeed affected his shooting.
After the 2 missed free throws, Boston called timeout.
Kenyon Martin returned to the bench, covering his head with a towel in frustration.
Chen Yan patted his shoulder.
"Cheer up. There is still 1 minute left."
Kenyon Martin shook his head.
"Sorry, Chen. I did not make those damn free throws."
Chen Yan smiled.
"Oh, that is not your problem. Forget about it. Forget those 2 damn free throws and get back into the game."
Seeing that Kenyon Martin still had not recovered, Chen Yan continued.
"It is okay. With me here, we will not lose."
Those words were more effective than anything else.
Kenyon Martin's eyes immediately regained their spirit.
Chen Yan's voice was not loud, but his tone was extremely firm.
After hearing him, the teammates around him immediately felt more confident.
Coming out of the timeout, Boston inbounded from the frontcourt sideline.
Rose again moved to the left side, 60 degrees from the 3 point line.
Stoudemire faked a post up, then immediately ran to the other side.
Kenyon Martin was forced to follow, and the left side of the court was suddenly cleared.
Rose made a change of direction and aggressively drove toward the baseline.
Curry's 1 on 1 defense against Rose was still too difficult.
He could keep up with the 1st step, but he was left behind on the 2nd.
Kenyon Martin turned to help, but Rose had already sprung off the floor.
Rose made a small layup and scored 2 points.
125 to 124.
Boston took the lead in the final moments.
.....
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