On the Trail Blazers side, their offense was somewhat sluggish, but with 3 offensive rebounds, the Trail Blazers kept the score tight.
Both sides exchanged baskets, going from 2:2 up to 12:12. The game proceeded smoothly with no stoppages.
Then the referee blew the whistle for an official timeout, as the TV station needed to insert commercials.
The NBA nowadays is like this. A game’s quarter can’t be played entirely smoothly; if it flows too well, officials will intervene to disrupt it.
Otherwise, how would TV stations recover ad costs? How would they agree to sign such large broadcasting contracts with the NBA?
On the Mavericks’ bench, Mark Cuban pointed and shouted from the back, "Smash them, use our offense to smash them!"
Nielsen wanted Cuban to shut up, thinking if you’re so capable, why don’t you play? However, the Mavericks did indeed need to enhance their offensive firepower.
"Dirk, ramp up your ball-handling offense. Don’t be afraid to challenge Ah Gan; he’s no big deal. Remember, get it done. You did well earlier."
Nowitzki thought, get it done my ass, Ah Gan hasn’t even exerted himself yet; he was just running back and forth in the first few minutes.
During several rebounding clashes, Nowitzki felt like a paper figure; anytime he made body contact with Ah Gan, he seemed ready to fall.
Fortunately, Gan Guoyang hadn’t exerted himself or used any dirty tactics. Nowitzki was sensible enough to know the game wouldn’t be easy going forward.
When the game resumed, it was still the Mavericks’ offensive turn, and they had made personnel adjustments.
The tall, lanky Bradley was rested and replaced by small forward Sibaros.
Clearly, the Mavericks were starting to mix things up, playing outside conventional norms.
Theoretically, Nowitzki should be playing at the center position at this point.
But he did not move into the three-second zone; instead, he ran to the top of the arc to receive the ball.
Instead, Strickland went to squat in the right corner, preparing as the point shooter.
This strategy would bewilder any opponent for a while—were they making Nowitzki play point guard?
The Trail Blazers and Gan Guoyang were familiar with this approach since Gan Guoyang occasionally played like this in certain matches.
Because Gan Guoyang had the ability, but Nowitzki didn’t seem like someone who could organize an outside offense.
Nowitzki didn’t intend to initiate an offense; after receiving the ball, he feinted, immediately lowering his body for a direct drive through the middle!
The Mavericks had opened up space, giving Nowitzki the chance to break through, and Gan Guoyang stepped aside to let Nowitzki through.
Nowitzki, standing at 7 feet tall, dribbled smoothly with the left hand and merged well with the ball; after driving into the basket, he performed a fluid left-handed layup!
Gan Guoyang swatted it away with a big block.
This level of driving might work against massive players like Ostertag or Brian Rivers, but against Gan Guoyang, it was courting disaster.
Gan Guoyang’s block sent the ball to Kobe, who immediately launched a fast-break counterattack; though the Mavericks quickly retreated on defense.
Kobe slowed down, as Gan Guoyang positioned himself low, and Kobe passed the ball to Henderson, who then passed to Gan Guoyang.
Gan Guoyang comfortably positioned himself at a 45-degree angle; Nowitzki pushed against him, attempting to swipe the ball, but to no avail.
Gan Guoyang held the ball in one hand, pushing backward before dribbling and giving a gentle shoulder bump, which easily opened up Nowitzki.
In that instant when Nowitzki was displaced, Gan Guoyang gave him a charming smile, then smoothly took a mid-range jump shot, scoring two points.
In terms of physical confrontation, Nowitzki was far behind Gan Guoyang. Nielsen’s decision to let him guard Gan Guoyang was practically giving away points.
The commentators at the scene said, "Is Nielsen trying to destroy Dirk, making him guard Ah Gan one-on-one?"
And what Nowitzki felt was not just the disparity in physical contest but also Gan Guoyang’s incredible calmness and confidence in his offensive play.
He even smiled at me just now, what did he mean? Was it mocking my frail physique, my poor defense?
Nowitzki didn’t have time to think much, as the Mavericks quickly inbounded the ball, swiftly crossing half-court to organize their offense.
Strickland still wasn’t handling the ball and continued to pass it to Nowitzki; Nowitzki didn’t force a play but distributed the ball to Fenli on the wing.
The Mavericks cleared the left side for Fenli to go head-to-head with Kobe; Kobe kept his position at the low post firmly, and Fenli found no rhythm to exploit, as Kobe defended fiercely.
But on the weak side, Nowitzki sensed an opportunity. He suddenly moved from beyond the three-point line, running at a 45-degree angle to the elbow position; Fenli promptly made a wide pass to Nowitzki.
Nowitzki caught the ball and took a mid-range jump shot, unexpectedly faced with Gan Guoyang’s rapid pursuit, his long arms knocked the ball away just as Nowitzki began his shot action.
Nowitzki stumbled in the air as the ball was snatched away; Gan Guoyang successfully intercepted it and slowed down, passing to Brellock to handle the ball and leisurely cross half-court for a set play.
If a different defender was there, or Nielsen hadn’t given pre-game instructions, Nowitzki would have made the shot, at least not getting intercepted.
Recently, in games, Gan Guoyang hasn’t been fully locking down matchups on defense; he defends normally, letting go some shots when appropriate.
But regarding Nowitzki, Gan Guoyang shook his head and said, "You should focus on observing rather than rushing to shoot hastily."
In the Trail Blazers’ offensive turn, Gan Guoyang requested the ball with his back at a 45-degree angle, the Mavericks came to double team, and Gan Guoyang passed the ball, forwarding it further in.
This time, Gan Guoyang swiftly turned after receiving the ball, moving towards the baseline to evade the double team. Nowitzki clearly couldn’t keep up as Gan Guoyang had a clear path under the basket.