Chapter 524: Victory and Defeat
In the crucial minute game, the Celtics are the team that has won the championship, and the people in the team now basically have the experience of the Finals, so in the face of the current Eastern Conference Finals, although it cannot be said that the mentality is extremely relaxed, at least it is not overly nervous.
The Celtics attacked again, and Chen Jiyuan guessed that this ball was mostly for Paul Pierce to play alone, after all, Paul Pierce's singles ability is extremely outstanding, and he never relents at critical moments.
However, even if the defensive focus is on Paul Pierce, there is one person who cannot be overlooked, and that is Ray Allen, who is known as a shooter and his three-point shot is his forte. But, you know, Ray Allen is the kind of guy who can only shoot three-pointers. There is no way for a player like that to become a superstar, and there is no way to become a leader of the team.
In last year's Finals, when the Celtics overturned the Lakers, a crucial goal that decided the victory of the Celtics was that Ray Allen singled and shot, and then scored, successfully helping the team establish victory. At critical moments, Ray Allen has never been soft, not because Ray Allen's light is not dazzling, but because this is Boston, Paul Pierce can radiate a more dazzling light.
It's a test for the Knicks' defensive formation.
This ball, after Rondo dribbled the ball through the half, he gave the ball to Paul Pierce, and sure enough, the first choice was Paul Pierce. After all, you are the leader of the team, and you need to take responsibility at this time.
Paul Pearce arched Stephen Jackson with his ass and denies Stephen Jackson a chance to cut the ball. Then he looked at the shape on the field, after all, he was two points ahead. In every way, the Celtics' players are slightly less stressed than the Knicks' players.
Paul Pierce looked at the offensive time was almost up, and when there were 11 seconds left in the offensive time, Garnett came up to Paul Pierce to block and dismantle, Paul Pierce took advantage of Garnett's cover and successfully temporarily asked Stephen Jackson to defend, the Knicks changed the defense in time and let Love defend Paul Pierce, and Stephen Jackson temporarily topped Garnett. Stephen Jackson is still very strong, although his height is poor, but it is not a problem, he can withstand Garnett.
The problem is that Lefou's footsteps seem to be seen as a breakthrough by Paul Pearce.
Sure enough, Garnett pulled Stephen Jackson to one side, while Paul Pearce shifted to the left at a 45-degree angle.
After almost that, Paul Pierce slapped the ball with his right hand, slowly, suddenly, an acceleration, slipped the bottom line, and Lefu barely kept up with Paul Pearce's footsteps, but in fact, Lefu was no longer in the best defensive position, and Lefou's current position was easy to foul Paul Pearce who broke inside, which led Lefu to be timid.
Although Chen Jiyuan also came forward to help the defense, Paul Pierce shot before Chen Jiyuan was in place, and the ball hit the board into the basket, and Chen Jiyuan did not dare to touch the ball. Because if you don't do it, you'll become a distraction ball. The ball that touches the rebound first, and the defender touches it to interfere with the ball. Love didn't dare to make too much of a move behind Paul Pearce for fear of being whistled for a foul. The result was an easy goal for Paul Pearce. 105:109。 Once again, the Celts were in a relatively safe place. There are 42 seconds left in the game.
The Knicks asked for a timeout. At this point, the pressure came back to the Knicks.
There are 42 seconds left. So Thibodeau's tactic is to let Sessions shoot three-pointers outside the three-point line, Chen Jiyuan plays alone in the low post to attract defensive attention, and then Sessions runs without the ball under the cover of Lefou, so as to get a chance to shoot three-pointers. Then Chen Jiyuan saw the right time to pass the ball over, and Sessions directly shot a three-pointer. This is the tactic arranged by Thibodeau. It's very detailed and more feasible. But the question is whether this is a little too reliant on Sessions' three-point shot. If this three-pointer is not scored, then the Knicks may even fall into a situation where they will never recover. Isn't it too early to take a three-point bet at this time? Despite these doubts, Chen Jiyuan still obediently returned to the field, but Chen Jiyuan had already made up his mind in his heart, if the chance of this ball Sessions was not good, he would definitely not pass the ball.
After getting on the court, the Knicks served in the front court, and the person who served on the sideline was Lefou, and then it was Stephen Jackson who received the ball, and after Stephen Jackson received the ball, he passed the ball to Chen Jiyuan on the left side, and after Chen Jiyuan received the ball, he leaned on Perkins with his back, looking like he was going to play with his back, and at the same time, Chen Jiyuan was still using his afterglow to sweep the shape of the game, Sessions ran very hard, and the reality of the two back and forth runs made Rondo, who was defending Sessions, a little unclear about Sessions's intentions, and then suddenly accelerated, Passing by Lefou's side, Rondo was directly blocked by Lefou's bear-like body. Sessions directly asked Rondo's defense, but the Celtics' defense was really fast, Garnett actually followed Sessions to Chen Jiyuan's side as soon as possible, directly let go of Lefou, and did not hesitate to change the defense for a minute or a second, without delaying at all. It has to be said that in these details. You have to admire the Celtics, otherwise how can they become NBA champions.
Garnett followed Sessions, Chen Jiyuan saw this, when Sessions ran outside the three-point line on the left side, he directly gave the ball to Sessions, and then withdrew directly, quickly helping Sessions block Garnett, Perkins, as the starting center of the Celtics, reacted quite well, but unfortunately the pace was a little slower, as a result, Chen Jiyuan blocked Garnett, Sessions took two steps to the bottom corner after receiving the ball, and got the opportunity to shoot a three-point shot, Sessions almost drifted This three-point shot, The main thing is that Sessions really didn't dare to delay, after all, after a delay, Perkins felt that the huge height difference between the two people, in this dead corner, was enough to make Sessions unable to shoot and pass, and finally turned into a mistake.
Sessions' three-point shot was deformed in itself, but everyone felt that with Sessions' excellent touch before, this ball could still be scored.
Unfortunately, this goal disappointed everyone, and this three-pointer made by Sessions did not go in. And because Chen Jiyuan and Lefu both proposed to cover Sessions, there was not even a person to grab a rebound on the inside, and Starkey was nervous, and the ball even forgot to go inside to grab a rebound. The rebound was taken by Ray Allen without any surprise.
After getting the ball, Celtic is not in a hurry to attack quickly or anything, unless it is a must-score goal, otherwise there is no need for Celtic to take any risk now.
Ray Allen himself moved forward with the ball, and after Starkey reacted, he came to the front of the Celtics, wanting to steal Ray Allen's dribble, even if he couldn't steal, he could interfere with it.
Ray Allen slowly brought the ball up front. Then stay at the top of the arc without being in a hurry. Ray Allen looked up to the sky and yelled, please leave me alone, I just want to be a beautiful man quietly.
At this time, there were 30 seconds left in the game. And the Celtics have 20 seconds left on this attack. It's clear that the Celtics will be going to spend their time until the last minute. It doesn't matter if you don't score, after all, with a four-point advantage, Celtic is now a typical advantage in your hands, and you don't panic.
Sessions glanced at head coach Thibodeau on the sidelines, and his consciousness was to ask if he should foul at this time. Then seeing Thibodeau's head, Sessions followed Rondo beside him again.
Ray Allen stalled until there were only 8 seconds left on the offensive clock, and Ray Allen did not hand the ball to Paul Pearce, but came on his own.
Ray Allen dribbled forward, Starkey stepped back step by step, and when he came to the three-point line where there was still a big step, Ray Allen suddenly jumped up and shot a three-point shot.
This distance is quite far, and Starkey didn't expect Ray Allen to make a move at all, so he could only stare dryly and reach out. As a result, Ray Allen's ultra-long three-pointer actually scored. 105:112。
Now the Knicks are almost certain to lose. There are 24 seconds left in the market price of the race. And the difference in points reached 7 points. No matter how you think about it, it seems unlikely.
However, Chen Jiyuan did not give up the game, as long as he can keep hitting three-pointers, then the Knicks still have a chance. Although the chances are very small. Even if it is a hope smaller than dust, Chen Jiyuan will definitely not give up.
The Knicks asked for a timeout again.
This time, Thibodeau was also a little helpless. It's so obvious that the Knicks could actually give up the game.
However, after all, it was the Eastern Conference Finals, and Thibodeau still let all the main players play. At the same time, let Sessions shoot a three-pointer again. And it's a catch-and-shoot.
Stephen Jackson serves off the court. Sessions took advantage of Chen Jiyuan and Lefu's double blocking, and finally found an opportunity at the top of the arc, receiving the ball and shooting a three-pointer directly. This three-point shot, which carried all the Knicks players, disappointed everyone again. This three-point shot is very similar though. But it still didn't go in.
Lefou, who was closer to the inside, still wanted to scramble for a rebound, but Garnett directly protected the rebound. Then the ball was passed to Ray Allen's hands, Starkey was still a newcomer who hadn't experienced much, and he didn't foul Ray Allen at the first time, and Ray Allen escaped. Ray Allenza ran to the Knicks' half, but Chen Jiyuan is a guy who has watched the NBA for so many years and has adapted to the rhythm of the NBA. When Ray Allen passed by Chen Jiyuan's side, Chen Jiyuan fouled Ray Allen. However, in fact, this foul is no longer of much significance. Because at this time, there are only 3.5 seconds left in the game. It's simply too late.
The Knicks players had to drop the game in frustration.
Sessions was clearly unhappy with his last two goals. Bowed his head, didn't speak, and walked sullenly in the direction of his half.