Although Nash's style is quite different from Stockton's, both share a calmness and control, making them the best rhythm controllers in the game. Compared to Stockton, his stronger self-attacking ability gives him more possibilities for development.
In the third quarter, Nash carefully controlled the pace of the game, maintaining ball movement without stagnating the team's offense, occasionally launching fast breaks, like swift cavalry raiding out of the camp.
Whenever the situation wasn't favorable, whether due to poor shooting from his own team or tight defense from the opponent, he would change strategy, slow down, play set pieces, weave through the defense, and create opportunities for his teammates.
Under this rhythm, the entire Celtics team played quite comfortably, with players performing smoothly. The point difference between the two sides not only didn't shrink but expanded in the second half of the third quarter—because the Trail Blazers substituted their starters with reserves again.
After Charles Barkley came off the bench to replace Gan Guoyang, mistakes continued to occur on the defensive end, allowing Nash to score one and assist another.
The point difference reached 10 points, and the situation looked excellent for the Celtics. At the start of the fourth quarter, when Nash hit a three-pointer over Terry Porter's defense, the gap increased to 14 points.
Nash raised his arms in celebration, finally revealing a hint of youthful pride after such a long time.
The biggest point difference of the game, the entire Fleet Center was in jubilation, with a second-game victory within sight!
Once this match is secured, leading 2-0 in the series, it's as if half of the championship is in the bag. Is a new era truly about to arrive?
The Trail Blazers called a timeout, with 9 minutes left in the game, Gan Guoyang and Kobe re-entered the court.
As a core player, Gan Guoyang rested for 12 minutes off the court tonight, which is quite enough.
He took two new sticks of gum from his pocket, unwrapped them, and stuffed them into his mouth, chewing vigorously.
Gan Guoyang nudged Kobe's shoulder, saying, "Handle that Los Angeles chubby, did you hear?"
Kobe rolled his eyes and said, "I know, I will. You take care of Duncan first."
Gan Guoyang smiled and said, "Kobe, did you forget that I'm the Twin Tower Killer?"
Whether Kobe forgot is unsure, but Beelman might have genuinely forgotten.
With the timeout over, the Trail Blazers' veterans, fully rested, returned to the court.
Facing a 14-point deficit, the veterans showed no signs of nervousness or fear; they've been through too much.
The more critical the moment, the steadier their hands. Experience doesn't accumulate for nothing.
On the first ball back, Gan Guoyang got the ball at a high position, with Sabonis helping him clear the defender, shooting a three-pointer with no apparent wind up, without any sign.
The ball swished straight through the center of the net, scoring, sounding the horn for the Trail Blazers' counterattack.
The Celtics continued steady ball movement in set-piece play, and at this point, Gan Guoyang began one-on-one defense on Duncan.
Duncan called for the ball in a low post; Nash hesitated to decide whether to pass to Duncan, losing the initiative.
With a couple of quick passes, Ilgauskas missed a high-position jump shot, and Gan Guoyang grabbed the rebound for a fast break.
Gan Guoyang and Brellock's high-position pick-and-roll, slipping past into the three-second zone, faced with Duncan's block, Gan Guoyang didn't retreat or pass but drove hard to the basket, crashing the ball into the hoop against Ilgauskas' help defense!
The referee whistled for a foul, with a chance for an extra free throw!
Having scored, Gan Guoyang displayed his biceps toward Beelman, hitting the free throw.
A 6-point chase! In just one minute, the point gap narrowed to 8 points.
Beelman immediately called a timeout to make adjustments, realizing that Ah Gan was starting to strike back.
But how to counter it? Beelman searched his mind, confused for a moment, unable to think straight!
Shortly after the timeout ended, Beelman couldn't articulate anything coherent; he seemed somewhat bewildered.
After the break, Gan Guoyang suddenly double-teamed Nash with Kobe on defense.
Nash made a turnover, leading to a Trail Blazers' fast break, where Kobe caught the ball, made a beautiful move past Pierce, and scored a layup.
The point gap was down to 6 points, as the Trail Blazers suddenly increased their intensity by two levels.
The Celtics played rigidly and tediously, and the Trail Blazers suddenly switched to heavy artillery assaults.
Duncan attempted a strong attack inside but was blocked by Gan Guoyang, a head-on confrontation failure.
The Trail Blazers launched another counterattack, with Sabonis acting as a center pivot, making a no-look pass to the basket, where Kobe received and scored another layup!
The point gap was down to 4, and the atmosphere in the Fleet Center suddenly became intense within two minutes, as the once joyful fans grew increasingly serious.
The Celtics showed signs of disarray; their lack of experience was apparent. Pierce attempted a hero ball, but his jump shot against Kobe didn't score.
Gan Guoyang controlled the rebound steadily again, launching a counterattack, without reservation or conserving energy, dribbling all the way to the basket. Ilgauskas and Duncan couldn't manage a timely defensive return.
Ultimately, Nash was the one to return to the three-second zone, not even looking as Gan Guoyang stormed in for a towering slam, sending Nash flying. The referee blew Nash for a blocking foul, with another chance for a free throw!
Beelman on the sidelines was frantically pacing; why even try to block this? It couldn't be stopped, nor could it draw a foul, ultimately giving Gan Guoyang a 2+1 opportunity.
Gan Guoyang, having rested well, certainly wouldn't miss the chase-completing free throw and scored, with the Trail Blazers making a 13-0 run in just three minutes, closing the gap to just 1 point!
The dynamics on the court could only be described as turbulent; the fully energized veterans delivered a high-intensity offense and defense that left the youthful Celtics reeling.
Beelman, helpless, had to call yet another timeout. His mind finally cleared somewhat. The see-saw nature of the game was simply too thrilling.
As Gan Guoyang left the court, he yelled at Beelman, "Bobby, stop using the Twin Towers! Haven't you figured out this simplest of truths yet?"