216: It's time
"Incredible game, incredible Celtic! When they trailed by 10 points in the first quarter, they were stunned to chase to the end! Paul. Pierce, the great 'green-blooded man', the great thinker, the 'truth' of this game! He only gave the Pacers 3.4 seconds to play, so let's see how Coach Henson and his players can turn the rot into magic! "Mike. Brin was already red-faced, because the fourth quarter was so exciting.
It can be said that every offense and defense of both sides in the fourth quarter of the game was a key goal, and the climax lasted for a full 12 minutes, even the last 3.4 seconds!
"It's a game for the Celtics, the Big Three erupt, how long has it been since we've seen anything like this? It's destined to be a night for the Green Shirts, and I guess that fact is hard to change! Van Gundy wasn't optimistic that the Pacers would be able to pull off the stunner in 3.4 seconds, but think about it, from the comeback to the comeback to the classic "contemplative" celebration that Pierce just had.
The "script" of this game is simply tailor-made for the Green Shirts! Even from the game itself, the Pacers did have a hard time pulling off the game.
Although Paul scored a lot of points in the fourth quarter, Rondo is indeed the kind of point guard with strong willpower and very good defense, and Paul is not happy to make an easy shot.
Of course, Van Gundy is well aware that Henson is the kind of coach who likes to surprise him. There's a good chance he'll play the ball to George instead of Paul, but Pierce, who just finished the shootout, certainly won't allow a sophomore rookie to spoil his night.
Danny. Green? His ability to make the ball is up for debate. David. West and Horford? These two interior players can indeed play key shots, but the Pacers have a hard time passing the ball directly to the interior. If Horford and West are allowed to play to the middle distance with the ball inside, 3.4 seconds may not be enough.
So, Jeff. Van Gundy would emphasize: "This is a game for the Celtics!" ”
The electronic beep sounded, and the entire Consec Arena burst into the most enthusiastic cheers of the day, and the stands behind Henson seemed to turn into a yellow "cornfield". Even though Pierce had just almost killed the Pacers, the atmosphere inside the Consecco arena was still so lively. Brin couldn't have imagined if the game had been on the North Shore Gardens, and the moment Pierce had just scored would have caused an earthquake.
However, as the players came on, Bryn's eyes couldn't help but fall on Henson.
The Chinese-American coach, like Gang, seemed to be out of place with the warm atmosphere around him. The Consec Arena was enthusiastic about the game, but as a direct participant in the game, Henson was as cold as ice.
"I said, we're going to win the game." As soon as Rondo saw Paul, his mouth could not hold back. Rondo's performance in today's game was actually not bad, with 10 points, 11 assists and 6 rebounds, a typical "Rondo-style" statistic.
There is no doubt that his performance is not bad, giving this guy the capital and confidence to provoke in front of Paul.
Paul seemed to be deaf in both ears and didn't care about the chattering Rondo. He stood in his assigned position and waited for the referee's whistle to blow. And the only thing Paul remembers now is, "Your time is up!" ”
"Damn, hateful, hateful......" Vogel sat on the bench and shook his legs, he was extremely nervous, he certainly didn't expect the first game of this year's Eastern Conference semifinals to be so exciting.
The players on the bench all stood up on each other's shoulders, ready for the end in 3.4 seconds. The camera swept over the Pacers bench, and fans spotted Stephenson with his eyes closed. This usually vicious guy doesn't dare to look at this kind of moment.
There was only Henson, who remained calm from start to finish, standing on the sidelines. Tonight belongs to the Big Three, and even Henson has to admit that the Celtics caused him the expected big trouble today!
But tonight's victory can only belong to Indianapolis!
"Beep!" The referee blew the whistle and handed the basketball to Horford, who served the sideline ball! Everyone in the audience stood up, including Mike, who was commentating on the game. Brin and Van Gundy!
George started first and cut under the basket. With the Pacers trailing by just one point right now, the Celtics must beware of Pacers players cutting to the basket.
West then put on a cover for Green, who went straight to the bottom corner and looked like it was an opportunity!
At this moment, Paul, who was standing at the free throw line, started! George and Green managed to make a little space for Paul, and as long as they could get Paul to get the ball, it would be enough!
Horford was very clever enough to make a fake pass at Green and immediately handed the ball to Paul! Paul holds the ball outside the three-point line, and in front of him, is the Rajan he hates. Rondo!
"Come on, coward, come on!" Rondo's mouth was still broken, and he wasn't afraid at all!
Of course, he was not afraid, and he knew very well what the impact of that major injury 10 years ago had had on Paul. Before that, he was a young talent who could compete with Kobe Bryant for MVP. Before that, he was a player who claimed to have "no shortcomings other than height", and was a top dribbler who made the old defenders shake their heads and say, "We can't dribble through the defense as effectively as he does"!
But what about now? He's just a wretched guy who went through a major injury, had a serious dip in stats last season, and then ran to the East to avoid competition. No matter what the outside world thinks of Paul, in Rondo's eyes, he is a poor worm who can't get along in the west and runs to the east to come to the job fair!
3.4 seconds, not much time left for Paul. He didn't have the heart to figure out what Rondo thought of himself, but started to break through!
Explosiveness, speed and physical coordination, Paul must admit that these three things did drop after his injury. But his strength hasn't diminished, he's still a defender who can top the front line! Carrying Rondo, Paul hit the three-point line!
Of course, in addition to strength, Paul also practiced two tricks after his injury - throwing and stepping back.
Now that you've lost the ability to easily get out of the defensive line, find a way to find another way!
So, Paul suddenly retreated, catching Rondo off guard! When he nervously jumped high to pounce on Paul, Paul had already thrown the basketball in his hand.
His shot was fast, and he practiced this action countless times, and he repeated it countless times. After returning from injury, it seemed that he could only numb himself with hard training again and again.
So, this step-back shot Paul did a very good job. The moment he threw the ball, people saw Henson, who was standing on the sidelines, and he had already raised his arms in advance!
How many short point guards have come back alive after a major knee injury, or even better? No, except Chris. Paul! When Henson saw Paul perform the same action that he had repeated countless times on the training court, Henson couldn't help but raise his arms, as if believing that basketball would definitely go in!
Everybody, everybody in the Conseco Arena, everybody who was watching the game from far away in Boston, their eyes were on the spinning orange Spalding basketball, and time seemed to pass slowly, and the basketball flew from Paul's hand to the basket, as slowly as it flew from Indianapolis to Boston.
Just as the basketball approached the basket, time seemed to return to normal. I saw that the ball quickly passed through the net, rolled up the "white waves", and made that pleasant sound because of the friction.
"Brush!"
"Boom!" With his arms raised high, Henson felt a wave of sound behind him, and almost let himself fall!
"The ball is in! Entered! Entered! Entered! Entered! "Mike. Brin repeated the word until his hoarse throat could no longer make any sound.
And what about Henson and Paul?
Henson still stood with his arms held high, and he raised his arms before Paul could score. And Paul, without crazy celebrations, he didn't even laugh.
This No. 3 defender just pointed at Rajan. Rondo's face: "It's Lao Tzu's time, idiot!" ”
"Your time is up." Henson's voice echoed in Paul's head......