Kobe receives the ball and makes an easy dunk! The Celtics' defense surrounds Gan Guoyang, letting Kobe come in to score two points.
Coming back, the Trail Blazers immediately employ a foul tactic on the Celtics, and Nash steps up to the free throw line, making both shots. 95:85.
Nash's free throw accuracy is very high, giving him free throws is like gifting points, but the Trail Blazers need time.
Unusually, the Trail Blazers have Sabonis dribble past mid-court, reaching the top of the arc, and Gan Guoyang comes to receive the ball.
Using Sabonis's large body as a screen, Gan Guoyang takes a step from beyond the three-point line at the top of the arc and directly shoots a three-pointer!
This shot decides the fate of the game, if it goes in, the Trail Blazers have a chance; if not, it's over.
In the end, the ball draws a beautiful arc and hits the mark accurately! It's in! 95:88, the gap is now 7 points.
The Celtics are not rushing; the Trail Blazers continue to foul, this time Paul Pierce is on the free throw line.
Pierce is also clutch, making both free throws as well.
97:88, a 9-point gap, the Trail Blazers need time, need speed.
Once again, Sabonis dribbles past mid-court, the Celtics come to double-team, and the Trail Blazers cannot afford any mistakes.
Sabonis immediately passes the ball to Kobe, who breaks through the middle to draw defenders and passes to Brellock.
Brellock passes again, giving it to Gan Guoyang at the left corner, a position Gan Guoyang rarely comes to.
Receiving the ball, he shoots directly against Fox's defense! The arc of the ball is beautiful, but after descending, it hits the edge of the rim.
Gan Guoyang's heart tightens; if it doesn't go in, it's over. However, because of the high arc, the ball still falls downward, and drops into the hoop!
It's in! Another three-pointer! 97:91, the gap is now just 6 points.
The Rose Garden Arena is in celebration, and Beelman immediately calls a timeout. Can't let Ah Gan keep shooting like this.
1 minute, 6 points, hope for victory resurfaces, Gan Guoyang comes off to drink water, he breathes a long sigh of relief.
Honestly, the second shot was lucky; corner three-point shooting is not Gan Guoyang's forte.
He can't guarantee shots like when he was younger, saying he can definitely make them.
Now he can only shoot with a bit of luck, feeling thankful inwardly for good fortune.
The good news is he feels his shooting touch is back, finally back.
The rhythm is good too; in just three plays, everyone is quickly coming together to strive for a miracle.
Beelman repeatedly emphasized defense, needing to closely mark Ah Gan, while Rick Carlisle laid out tactics to create opportunities for Ah Gan.
Then, after the timeout ended and the game resumed, the Celtics inbound the ball, and the Trail Blazers stop fouling, opting for defense.
Crucial defense, the nerves of the whole arena are taut.
Nash receives the ball, with continuous passing outside, finally getting it to the left low post for Tim Duncan.
This shot might determine the game's outcome, Duncan aggressively attacks Gan Guoyang in the low post!
Duncan is in a good state, with continuous turns and dribbling, finding an opening, shooting with a semi-hook and semi-push with his right hand!
Aiming at the white box of the backboard, the shot feels good, but due to five fouls, Gan Guoyang doesn't dare to apply force on defense.
However, Kobe from the side comes to help, jumps high, and once again blocks Duncan's shot!
Duncan quickly guards the ball mid-air, but Gan Guoyang also reacts quickly and grabs the ball.
Both struggling for the ball, the referee quickly blows the whistle for a jump ball.
Duncan is quite exasperated, the ball got blocked from behind by Kobe again.
During the jump ball at the free throw circle with Ah Gan, both almost touch the ball simultaneously, but Gan Guoyang's fingers are stronger, tapping the ball to Sabonis.
Sabonis uses his height to secure the ball, controls possession, then passes the ball to Kobe, who quickly crosses mid-court.
Duncan no longer stays under the basket, closely following Gan Guoyang throughout, not letting him receive the ball outside the three-point line.
Gan Guoyang tries hard to shake off Duncan, receiving the ball two steps outside the three-point line, then immediately charges inward.
Duncan sticks close, and at this moment, Gan Guoyang suddenly stops abruptly, steps back, and shoots forcibly from outside the three-point line!
A high-difficulty shot, Duncan doesn't dare to be careless, going all out to block, resulting in an inability to stop his momentum, colliding with Gan Guoyang.
The referee blows the whistle immediately; the foul is too obvious, and Steve Javie also wants to make up a little, fearing post-game reactions from the fans.
Duncan fouls on the three-pointer, yet the ball still flies precisely towards the hoop, swishing through! It's in! Three-pointer made along with a bonus free throw!
Gan Guoyang has a chance for a four-point play, the scene again falls into frenzy, the magical Ah Gan with three consecutive three-pointers, plus a four-point play!
Duncan looks helpless, closing his eyes in reflection, what the heck is this? Why would I foul? The usually calm Duncan can't stay calm.
Gan Guoyang steps to the free throw line, makes the bonus free throw, 97:95, the gap instantly closes to 2 points, with still 26 seconds remaining in the game.
At this moment, the Celtics have no timeouts left, the Trail Blazers have one remaining, the Celtics must score; otherwise, they will leave the Trail Blazers time for a counterattack.
Beelman loudly directs from the sidelines, instructing Steve Nash to pass the ball to Paul Pierce, but the scene is too noisy, Nash seemingly doesn't hear.
He dribbles past mid-court, waiting outside for time, even if he exhausts the 24 seconds it won't do, leaving 2 seconds for the Trail Blazers to call a timeout they can definitely go for a game-winner.
Must find a way to score, score once, this game for the Celtics will be as good as nailed down, they are still in the advantageous position.