The tactical play of Gan Guoyang receiving the ball at the high post and passing directly to the basket was designed by Beelman during his time with the Trail Blazers, and they still use it with such skill.
The situation began to deteriorate; the Celtics, who had held on for half a game, were gradually losing their fighting spirit and were increasingly unable to organize strong defense and counterattacks.
On the Trail Blazers' side, they executed their peak-era smooth team offense, with Sabonis-Gan Guoyang as the central axis—constant running, screening, cuts to penetrate the Celtics' weaknesses.
Score, score, score again, the Trail Blazers' offensive efficiency gradually surpassed the Celtics, and their lead widened, causing the atmosphere in the Rose Garden Arena to grow ever more exuberant.
On the Celtics' side, only Duncan, Nash, and Pierce could still resist; the role players were half-abandoned, truly unable to compete.
In the third quarter, the Trail Blazers responded to the Celtics with a 30:22, reversing the score. By the fourth quarter, the entire audience stood to watch the game.
Having previously cooperated with teammates, Gan Guoyang began to step up and dominate; first facing Duncan at the basket, and this time changing tactics, choosing the middle path for a quick stop jump shot.
Then, combining with Sabonis under the basket, he blocked Ilgauskas' attack, grabbed the defensive rebound, dribbled coast-to-coast past Nash, who attempted to draw a foul, and then pushed past Duncan with a left-handed layup!
Next, Gan Guoyang successfully intercepted Paul Pierce's breakthrough on defense, causing Pierce to make a mistake, and the Trail Blazers counterattacked again.
Kobe crossed half court, passed to Brellock, who handed off to Gan Guoyang posted at the baseline; Gan Guoyang, back to the basket, made a nimble turn to the middle, followed by his signature move-hook, scoring two more points!
After scoring 6 consecutive points, the crowd erupted in cheers, while Gan Guoyang seemed unaffected by anything happening around him—he merely glanced at the score and time remaining.
At this moment, Gan Guoyang was completely immersed in the world of basketball, indifferent to everything outside, releasing all his energy, shining on both ends of the court.
The fans present, the citizens outside, the TV audience—they seemed to be seeing Gan Guoyang at his peak, still full of stamina, unstoppable, and everywhere.
Under the sun, the Celtics were collapsing, losing confidence with each play, their spirit waning, as they dragged time on the court, waiting for the match to end and declare their demise.
As Gan Guoyang received a teammate's pass on offense and made a three-pointer from the top of the arc, the Trail Blazers rewrote the score to 100:88, leading the Celtics by 12 points!
With his arms raised high, sweat soaked his clothes and hair, a smile spread across his face—not because victory was imminent, but because he had just sunk a beautiful long shot!
The arena's DJ began playing the famous opera music "O Sole Mio" by Pavarotti, as the graceful violin sounded throughout the ceiling of the venue.
In NBA games, DJs usually play strong rhythmic music or lively songs to boost the atmosphere.
Only at the Rose Garden Arena is symphonic and operatic music played because only such grand, serious music can match Gan Guoyang's magnificent basketball career and his magical skills.
At this moment, Beelman knew there was no need to resist any longer; it was over; he wouldn't be a match for Gan. Let him exit the stage gloriously and let the sun set with its shine.
Beelman called a timeout; with two minutes left, he substituted out the main players, declared surrender, and also marked the Trail Blazers' and Gan Guoyang's victory.
Rick Carlisle, seeing this, pointed at Gan Guoyang and said: "Sonny, you're up—it's over, we won, we won!"
The radiant smile on Gan Guoyang's face slowly faded as the continual cheering and applause surged, yet he stood on the sideline, hands on his waist, refusing to cross the border onto the bench—remaining standing on the court.
He raised his head to look around; on the high stands, a sea of people, and above were hanging ten championship banners, the lights dazzlingly bright, Pavarotti's majestic voice cutting through the noise and surrounding his ears.
"When evening falls, the sunset sleeps, sorrow envelops me.
Quietly waiting for you under the window, when night falls, the sunset sleeps, it is the brightest sun.
Ah, my sun! It's your face! Ah, my sun!"
Gan Guoyang closed his eyes, took that step, crossed the line, and walked off the court.