Gan Guoyang made a bold lob pass into the interior, over Davis, over Schmitz, and even over Sabonis, delivering it to the rushing Reed at the basket!
Reed leapt high, caught the ball, and scored with an alley-oop dunk!
This strategic design was very daring. The Pacers were on high alert against the Twin Towers, but didn’t expect Reed to charge into the basket area.
Gan Guoyang’s pass was equally audacious, the Trail Blazers grabbed 2 points, but the Pacers immediately responded inside.
Reggie Miller caught the ball and pushed towards the basket for a floater, scoring. This guy’s offensive touch had already warmed up; you couldn’t predict if he’d go for a three or a two-pointer.
"I will crush you tonight. Just wait, Sonny." After scoring, Miller taunted Gan Guoyang.
Gan Guoyang didn’t speak but subsequently made a strong drive on offense, drawing a foul on Schmitz.
Not yet at the free-throw line, the Trail Blazers had possession again, Gan Guoyang once more made a strong drive, and the Pacers double-teamed him.
The ball was passed to Little O’Neal, who dunked, Schmitz fouled again, and Little O’Neal went to the free-throw line.
However, a tense Little O’Neal shockingly missed both free throws! Opportunity for the Pacers!
Mark Jackson, who got the rebound, pushed forward quickly, and Reggie Miller found space at the right corner.
He knew he had to shoot before Ah Gan could set the defense, or there wouldn’t be a chance in the set play.
Mark Jackson passed the ball, Miller caught it and immediately took the shot! A three-pointer!
The ball traced a beautiful arc, scoring!
The entire stadium in Indiana erupted.
Meanwhile, fans in front of their TVs were even more ecstatic.
97:95, the Pacers were only trailing by 2 points!
They had a chance to execute a buzzer-beater and defeat the Trail Blazers, ending their 40-game winning streak!
But the Trail Blazers didn’t call a timeout. For the first time, the players on the court caught the scent of death.
Just like wildebeests on the plains who can smell lions and crocodiles, their bodies would tremble.
They had been undefeated for so long that they were about to forget what losing felt like, which is a quality an NBA player must have.
The Pacers were applying full-court pressure defense, the ball got to Sabonis, almost turned over, finally reaching Gan Guoyang.
Only Gan Guoyang, his gaze calm, unflustered by any disturbances from the Pacers trying to converge on him.
Gan Guoyang didn’t pass the ball, with a behind-the-back dribble he created distance, dribbling from the flank toward the center.
He drew back from the defender once more, then pulled up from the arc for a direct three-point shot!
No one could interfere but himself, his own hesitation and fear would affect him.
Did he have such emotions? No, he was completely calm.
The ball was like -30°C, coldly passing through the net, dropping the temperature of the entire stadium.
100:95, the Trail Blazers returned to a safe zone, and the scene quieted down considerably.
The Pacers called a timeout, despite Adelman’s careful calculations, he didn’t underestimate Ah Gan’s capabilities.
But even if you calculate it, what could you do?
With less than a minute left, the Pacers still had a chance to create a miracle.
After the timeout, Reggie Miller tried to use wide-ranging movement to receive the ball for a three-point shot.
Facing the obstruction of Gan Guoyang, he forcefully shoved Gan Guoyang!
Unable to push him, he fell to the ground, the referee blew the whistle, calling Gan Guoyang for a block.
Gan Guoyang, rarely angry, shouted at the referee, "He pushed me! He pushed me, couldn’t push me away, how am I fouling?"
The referee, who saw Gan Guoyang raging like a lion, was also taken aback but didn’t change the call.
Pacers’ possession again, looking for Miller, who caught the ball on the left 45-degree angle for a three-point shot!
As he shot, Gan Guoyang came to block from the side, barely brushing the ball with his fingers.
The basketball dropped halfway, both sides scrambling, time being consumed.
Ultimately, a jump ball ensued between Sabonis and Mark Jackson, an unsurprising contest.
The Trail Blazers won possession, the Pacers had to foul, sending Trail Blazers players to the free-throw line.
102:95, the Pacers remained relentless, Miller still found an opportunity to hit a three-pointer!
102:98, their resilience didn’t allow the Trail Blazers to relax for even a moment.
Gan Guoyang, very composed, made both free throws, and then on defense, forced a turnover with a pressing interception that caused the Pacers to lose possession.
This finally extinguished the Pacers’ hopes for a comeback, fixing the score at 102:98, the Trail Blazers narrowly beat the Pacers.
Midway through the season, not a single defeat!
As the buzzer sounded, Miller came over to shake hands with Gan Guoyang.
Miller congratulated him on this great achievement, while reminding Gan Guoyang, "If you can’t win the championship, you’re going to have big trouble."
And Gan Guoyang replied, "Try beating Michael, you guys have a chance to win a game in the Finals."
For the first time, Gan Guoyang hoped the Finals opponent wasn’t the Bulls, but the Pacers, because they had the qualifications.