Stepping to the free-throw line, two throws all in, the Trail Blazers' lead extends to 4 points. The situation has become very dangerous for the Celtics.
At this point, the trailing Celtics can't just camp out and play clumsily anymore; they must take the initiative to attack, or else they'll never catch up.
Steve Nash sped up the offensive pace, but the young Nash, facing Brellock's tight defense, lacked experience and was called for a charging foul.
A fatal foul, the young do indeed need to pay for their youth with lessons and costs. The crowd booed, and Beelman yelled at the referee in frustration, earning a technical foul.
It was a costly mistake, as Gan Guoyang stepped to the free-throw line and made the shot, and the ball was still in the Trail Blazers' hands. The game became simpler for them at this point.
Gan Guoyang demanded the ball at the 45-degree angle, used the Hickma Step to face the basket, and took a mid-range jump shot in front of Duncan. Duncan didn't dare to get too close because getting too close would mean a face-up breakthrough.
Gan Guoyang wouldn't bank it in from 45 degrees; the ball swished through the net. With accurate precision, Gan Guoyang scored three points, and the gap widened to 7 points.
Beelman used his last timeout, with a little over a minute remaining in the game. For the Celtics to win, they could only hope for a miracle.
However, Gan Guoyang and the Trail Blazers specialize in dispelling miracles, turning opponents and fans into staunch basketball atheists.
Fans in the arena still held onto a sliver of hope, but after Steve Nash missed a three-pointer at the arc's top and Duncan's tip-in failed, Gan Guoyang secured the rebound. The fans knew there would be no miracle, there would be no miracle.
The Celtics, needing to stop the clock, had no choice but to foul Gan Guoyang, which practically gifted points to the Trail Blazers.
Gan Guoyang nailed both free throws, scoring his 33rd point of the half, despite not taking many shots this game.
Cliff-Robinson sank a three-pointer, but it was too late. During the final moments with foul tactics, the Trail Blazers made no mistakes.
The free throws were all made, no turnovers, no missed defensive rebounds, no easy scoring opportunities for the opponents. The experience and calm of the veterans were fully displayed.
In the end, 101-93, the Trail Blazers achieved a great comeback in the fourth quarter to crush the Boston Celtics, leveling the series score to 1-1.
The shattering of dreams happens in an instant; this is the charm and unpredictability of NBA games, where sometimes it's hard to guess the outcome.
Victory boosted the morale across the Trail Blazers team. The veterans high-fived, celebrating the win, finally able to return to Portland with a victory.
Gan Guoyang routinely hugged Beelman and asked, "Didn't I tell you? Why didn't you bench the Twin Towers?"
"Would it have helped?"
"Actually, it wouldn't have made a difference, I was just trying to scare you."
"Shit, I knew it. But we lost, fair and square."
Beelman didn't talk tough in front of Gan Guoyang; there was no need.
And Gan Guoyang didn't like lying to his own teacher.
He said, "Bobby, this series won't return to Boston, let your players cherish and savor the experience of these two games."
"Screw you, Sonny, stop trying to scare people."
Gan Guoyang just smiled, waved goodbye, and left Beelman standing there in a daze.
Duncan approached Beelman, saying, "Coach, it's time to go."
Beelman took a deep breath and asked, "Facing Ah Gan, it was terrifying, wasn't it?"
Duncan, honest as always, replied, "It was like facing a deep-sea shark, but I'll keep it up."
The two said nothing more and went off to attend the post-game press conference.