The Bulls dared not double-team anymore, but Purdue was at such a disadvantage against Ah Gan. Gan Guoyang backed Purdue down and drove the baseline.
After cutting into the basket, he scored while being challenged by Pippen and Grant, and even drew a defensive foul on Pippen.
Looking at the league, only Ah Gan and O’Neal can finish this kind of play.
Don’t be fooled by Pippen and Grant both being forwards; their interior help defense and sub-defense abilities are top-notch.
Even orthodox centers like Ewing and Olajuwon would struggle against this devilish duo.
Not only did Ah Gan make the basket, but he also drew the foul, converting the three-point play. The lead extended to a safe margin.
Like Gan Guoyang, Jordan received the ball in a low post position. This time he chose to pass.
Trail Blazers double-teamed, another pass, to the side, to the weak side, Purdue took the ball for a jump-shot.
Then, Purdue made a beautiful inside pass, giving Horace Grant a good look.
However, Grant’s seemingly sure-thing turnaround layup was swatted away by Gan Guoyang.
Pippen recovered it, tried again, only to be swatted away by Gan Guoyang once more!
That was Gan Guoyang’s fifth block of the night.
The Bulls’ proud forward tandem was being trampled by Gan Guoyang on both ends.
This might be the fundamental reason the Bulls can never get past the Trail Blazers.
The Trail Blazers launched a counterattack, Porter passed to Sabonis in the middle.
Sabonis, with a no-look pass, easily found Petrović in the right corner.
Petrović caught the ball and hit a mid-range jumper!
This shot forced the Chicago Bulls into a timeout, as Jackson couldn’t bear to watch his team’s performance any longer.
At this moment, only Jordan could save the Bulls.
After the timeout, Jordan made an incredibly difficult shot.
Even with three defenders — Ah Gan, Sabonis, and Lewis — in the Trail Blazers’ three-second zone,
Jordan managed to drive left-handed down the middle, getting close to the rim, and finished with a left-handed floater.
Not only did he make it, he also drew a foul on Lewis, getting an extra free throw.
After scoring, Jordan clenched his fist, as this was a crucial shot.
With the free throw made, the Bulls closed the gap by three, staying on their heels.
On the defensive end, Grant finally managed to draw an offensive foul on Gan Guoyang.
The Bulls had a great chance to catch up, as this time on the fast break, Jordan went to the right.
With a fake shot, he shook off Petrović, cutting in from the 45-degree angle for the basket!
Gan Guoyang let this one go, knowing an attempt to block could result in a foul or a three-point play.
Jordan scored with a one-handed dunk!
The Trail Blazers’ transition defense has been lackluster all season.
No one besides Ah Gan returned in time up the middle.
Another five-point run tied things up, making the game thrilling and suspenseful.
Following this, both teams struggled on offense, scrapping fiercely under the basket.
With intense physical play and relentless running, players’ shooting touch waned along with their stamina.
The Trail Blazers maintained a lead of about five points, suppressing the Bulls’ comeback momentum.
With just over a minute left, Jordan caught the ball and drove from the middle to the basket.
Gan Guoyang, having five fouls, dared not make a move, only watching as Jordan hung in the air, maneuvered, and laid the ball in.
112:115, the gap was just three points.
The score indicated neither team played particularly good defense.
Most of the focus was on mutual scoring, making the game very entertaining.
Though not that intense, definitely less so than a Finals game.
The last minute.
Gan Guoyang brought the ball up the court himself, with Pippen hounding him constantly.
"Why are they letting you guard me again? Has Jackson gone crazy? He clearly doesn’t care about you."
Faced with Gan Guoyang’s banter, Pippen coldly replied, "Save your breath, Sonny, it’s useless."
Gan Guoyang didn’t take it himself; according to the strategy, he passed it to Sabonis at the elbow.
Sabonis turned, pushed past Grant, and walked inside, using his height advantage, and hit a right-handed hook!
112:117, the Trail Blazers reclaimed a five-point edge, leaving the Bulls with scarce opportunities.
Jordan rushed his offense, as he crossed half-court, pulling up for a three at the top, and made it!
115:117, just a two-point gap, using only a little over ten seconds for this play.
Once the Trail Blazers’ next possession ended, the Bulls would still have the chance to tie or win.
Beelman called a time-out to organize the decisive play. A field goal likely seals the Bulls’ fate.
People hoped to see Gan Guoyang take the final shot, and the Bulls expected Ah Gan to launch the decisive blow.
Beelman subbed in Mario Ely, taking out Lewis, seemingly to spread the court.
All eyes were on Ah Gan. After the timeout, Jordan watched Gan Guoyang like a hawk.
He had simulated a few fast-break options in anticipation of a successful steal.
But the Trail Blazers’ crucial play didn’t go through Gan Guoyang at all.
Sabonis caught it high, with Ely and Gan Guoyang lurking on one side. Petrović came over for a hand-off from Sabonis.
Upon reception, Sabonis screened Jordan, and Petrović directly cut to the basket.
Despite Horace Grant’s defense, he weaved through mid-air, laying up and scoring.
Petrović flew out of bounds as the ball dropped through the net, scoring.
This basket extinguished the Bulls’ comeback hopes.
As Jordan tried another three but missed, the game ended.
The Bulls’ futile fouls only yielded two more points to Petrović.
115:121, the Trail Blazers defeated the Bulls at home by six points.
Gan Guoyang once again won the Gan Qiao duel.
Tonight, Gan Guoyang scored 33 points, grabbed 21 rebounds, blocked 6 shots, and dished out 10 assists for an impressive triple-double.
Jordan, with 10 points in the first half and an explosive 31 in the second half, couldn’t turn the tide. He lost again.
Against the Trail Blazers and Ah Gan, Jordan seemed to become numb.
Embracing Gan Guoyang after the game, Jordan said, "You chickened out on the last play, Sonny."
Gan Guoyang chuckled and replied, "No, I didn’t chicken out, winning is all that matters."
"You weren’t like this before, I thought you’d take the shot."
Gan Guoyang didn’t respond, simply patting Jordan before they said their goodbyes.
Jordan suddenly turned and said, "See you in June, Sonny!"
This time, Gan Guoyang didn’t answer, going to the commentary booth for an interview.
Bill Schonely asked Gan Guoyang a similar question, "How was the final play drawn up? Most crucial shots are given to you, but you didn’t touch the ball this time."
Gan Guoyang shrugged and said, "Not every clutch play has to come from me. Bill, do you remember back when Clyde was here, every clutch play Jack set was for Clyde to attack, and I’d trail for the putback, do you remember that?"
Schonely laughed, "Of course I remember, all the league coaches knew our clutch tactics. And yet no one could stop it, your teamwork was exceptional."
Gan Guoyang laughed heartily and chatted further with Schonely before taking off the headset and returning to the locker room.
In fact, Beelman originally planned for Gan Guoyang to take the decisive shot.
Gan Guoyang refused and told Beelman to set it up for Pete or Lewis instead.
Back in the locker room, Beelman privately asked Gan Guoyang why he refused the key shot.
"This doesn’t seem like you, Sonny, I was surprised, as were everyone else. Thankfully, Pete handled the pressure."
Gan Guoyang took a sip of his drink and explained, "I felt that if I took it I would definitely make it, and everything would seem too perfect."
"What? What are you saying? Too perfect?"
"Too perfect usually implies it feels like everything is ending. A perfect conclusion."
"What nonsense are you talking about, Sonny, you’re thinking too much."
Beelman shook his head and left the small office in the locker room, heading to the press room for interviews.
Gan Guoyang sat in the office chair as the outside buzzed with noise, everyone delighted by the victory.
They pushed and shoved, laughing and discussing what to do with the off-day — practice or grab a drink.
Reporters waited at the door for interviews, as many would soon surround Gan Guoyang with many questions.
In these brief moments, Gan Guoyang enjoyed a moment of tranquility.
He took another sip of his drink, pondering, isolating himself from the noise outside.
But the cup in his hand was actually empty.