Chapter 258: Equalization
After the pause, the audience was silent, holding their breath and waiting for the final result of this final attack. Because it was the ball of the Rockets, at least there was no worry in their eyes.
A miracle is a miracle because of its low probability. Head coach D'Antoni understands this, and this group of old fans who have watched the game for more than 20 years or even 30 years, and die-hard fans of the Rockets, they also understand it.
Every night there is a chance of miracles, but only a few miracles. Tonight they believe that a miracle will not happen in this arena, because this is Houston, because of the first record this year, the Houston Rockets, they believe that a strong team has their solution in a difficult situation, and this is only a little difficult, on the court, it is still good for them, there is no need to be so desperate.
The referee gave the ball to Anderson.
The latter served and successfully found Paul on the outside. The moment Paul got the ball, the audience couldn't help but burst into cheers, because of Sao Paul's key ball ability, and his own career free throw shooting percentage.
It was enough to reassure them that even if the Bulls fouled, it would be an easy two-point deal.
Paul held the ball, and the hearts of the audience couldn't help but whisper: Foul quickly, foul quickly.
They were so eager that the Bulls would use the foul opportunity on Paul.
In fact, the Bulls had no choice, they only had five seconds to waste, and they couldn't afford to waste waiting for Paul to pass the ball.
"Toot!" The referee's whistle blows!
It was Paul who walked to the free-throw line as the crowd wished. And he did what the crowd had come to expect, hitting both free throws. The difference was stretched to three points...
There are 412 seconds left in the clock, and there are still three points left in this time!
What it means is clear to the audience at the scene better than anyone else.
This means... Even if the Bulls made that last three-pointer! At most, the most, that is, to pull the game into overtime!
That said, the pressure is back on the Bulls' side, and if they can't shoot, they're defeated. If they do, it's a draw at best.
For the Rockets, they still have a chance to continue to work for victory in overtime!
What could be more wonderful than that? There must be, for example, it would be better if the score difference at this time is four points.
But the fans of the Rockets are fans who know how to be enough. They are thankful to God that they were able to get out of danger.
The Bulls' possession, the Bulls also opted for a timeout, and they needed to do some tactical set-up for the final offense. The sound in the auditorium was noisy and deliberately ingredient. They were reluctant to give the Bulls a relatively quiet occasion to lay out the final offensive tactics, and of course, this was allowed!
If it's the Bulls' home stadium today, the audience must be quiet. That's the difference between home and away. Since it exists, it is reasonable. And these are the so-called home field advantages.
Fortunately, Hojberg's tactics are not that complicated.
He only said a few words, the first to run the air guard and the second to hand the ball to Li Ming!
He believes that as long as the Bulls can do both, then they still have a chance to win.
The timeout comes back and the game restarts.
Because the Bulls called a timeout, this time it was a sideline ball near the halfway line.
Mirotic serves!
The Rockets' heavily defended Li Ming unexpectedly stood at the farthest point from Mirotic, much to the bewilderment of the spectators on the sidelines.
"Are they going to lose this game?"
"Do they think there is a better executor than Li Ming?"
"I think they're just playing tricks, and the Rockets players should still guard Li Ming strictly, and not let him have the slightest bit of idleness, otherwise it is very likely that the Bulls will pull the game into overtime!"
The discussion in the audience is naturally inaudible to the players on the field, and even if they can hear it, it is impossible for them to say that they are defending as the audience says, they still have to carry out the tactical movement arranged by the manager!
Otherwise, if they lose, they will be the ones who will bear the blame in the end.
Because they as professional players don't run the way the manager says, this is definitely the most serious mistake, the kind of mistake that can't be washed away.
And D'Antoni's arrangement... It is to let Ariza stick to Li Ming, and the others should also be strict against other Bulls players, he doesn't want to end up because of the offer to Li Ming, which will cause other players on the Bulls to have empty positions, and finally throw the ball into this is the most intolerable defeat for him!
As can be seen from this arrangement, Anthony has a cautious personality as a head coach.
Even though his offense is so strong, he once asked for a shot in the Suns with five seconds and seven seconds in the half. But he is still more cautious on the defensive end.
There's nothing wrong with this defensive arrangement from a certain point of view, it's just ... The Bulls have Li Ming, but D'Antoni doesn't treat him as a superstar, which is his biggest mistake.
And this mistake. Let him bury the victory of this game.
The referee blew the whistle. This whistle means that Mirotic has to shoot the ball in his hand within five seconds, otherwise it will be a service violation and will directly hand over the ball.
So the moment the whistle blew, the moment he got the ball, Mirotic's whole person became extremely nervous, and his eyes kept looking for that person in the stadium.
And that person, at this time, is in a very complicated run.
It's so complicated that two people will help him cover up, and he just didn't get rid of Ariza, the latter is really tight!
Fortunately, at the last moment of five seconds, Li Ming finally found an empty seat under the cover of Laven, and it was also the moment when Li Ming got rid of Ariza.
Mirotic also found him.
Quickly get the ball out and get it to him.
It can also be seen that Mirotic's concentration on the serve end is also very high.
Li Ming got the ball, only slightly adjusted, and shot directly!
Ariza was able to bypass Raven at this time, thinking that she could keep up with Li Ming's pace, but she could only watch Li Ming make a move.
The goal is scored and the score is equalized at this moment!
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The Rockets' audience was silent, but the Bulls' bench was excited, and the sound almost blew the ceiling of the arena down.
If it weren't for the fact that there were 278 seconds left in the game time, they would probably have rushed up to hug Li Ming and cheered!