Payton hesitated with the ball outside, didn't pass, and gave it to Carter in the middle, who then passed to Smith on the right side.
Payton was worried that Baker's continuous solo plays would provoke Ah Gan's anger, logically, it should have been Baker's play.
As a result, Smith's breakthrough in the center was met with China Team's tight defense and was intercepted.
Tonight, China is definitely going to focus on intensive defense to counter Team USA's relatively average three-point shooting.
Actually, in the Olympics, Team USA shot well from three-point range because the FIBA three-point line feels like a mid-range shot to them, making it much easier, with a pretty high shooting percentage.
But the volume of Team USA's three-point shots wasn't high, ranking in the middle among participating teams; where they truly led was in scoring under the basket.
And much of this scoring under the basket came from fast-break counterattacks.
After China Team intercepted the ball, they also launched a fast break, with Hu Weidong driving to the basket for a layup, but was blocked by Carter!
However, Hu Weidong quickly regained possession, passed back to the trailing Gan Guoyang, who took the shot from beyond the three-point line!
Unfortunately, the shot didn't go in, and Chinese fans on-site, as well as those watching on TV, all sighed in unison.
This kind of shot is one that Gan Guoyang usually makes without fail, missing such an opportunity is truly rare.
Gan Guoyang's starting state was ordinary, not because of nerves or fatigue, but because he cared too much.
More than the 1992 Olympics and more than any previous NBA championship, he knew immediately after shooting that it wasn't right, too much force.
Team USA's counterattack, McDyess challenged Yao Ming, resulting in a defensive foul on Yao Ming, making Jiang Xingquan restless.
Subsequently, Carter broke through again, targeting Yao Ming, who dared not foul lightly, Carter's layup was successful, giving Team USA the lead.
China Team launched a fast counterattack, Gan Guoyang passed directly to the inside from midfield, giving Sun Jun a good layup opportunity, but Vin Baker came from behind to block it again!
In two consecutive fast attacks, layups at close range were blocked by Team USA, the physical difference between the teams was evident.
In the final, Team USA went all out on defense, not giving China Team any easy scoring chance.
Team USA's counterattack saw Payton quickly crossing half-court, delivering a direct pass to a cutting Steve Smith under the basket.
Smith went for a layup, but was blocked by the recovering Gan Guoyang, though McDyess followed up successfully.
Yao Ming's early foul was crucial, making him hesitant to act rashly.
At 20 years old, Yao Ming lacked experience, and his early mistakes left him somewhat bewildered.
Then, Gan Guoyang received the ball in the low post and attempted a hook shot but missed.
Chinese fans were on edge; if Ah Gan wasn't in form, they definitely couldn't beat Team USA tonight.
Meanwhile, Team USA protected the rebounds well, and Payton calmly set up a half-court play.
Seeing Gan Guoyang's poor shooting touch at the start, American players felt much more composed.
Vince Carter received a pass and nailed a three-pointer from a 45-degree angle on the right side!
The Star-Spangled Banner waved in the stands, and American fans cheered for the basket.
The Dream Team was leading 9-2, putting China Team at a disadvantage, and Jiang Xingquan wanted to call a timeout.
But, as discussed with Gan Guoyang before the game, unless Gan Guoyang signaled, the coaching staff wouldn't call a timeout.
Gan Guoyang showed no sign of stopping, and continued with the half-court offense, Team USA began a full-court press and double-teaming defense.
They aimed to expand the lead and crush China Team, a tactic that had worked time and again in previous matches, a traditional killer move by Team USA.
However, Li Xiaoyong kept a clear head and passed to Gan Guoyang just in time before the double team formed, accurately gauging the timing.
Gan Guoyang received the ball, took a step past McDyess, who tried to steal, then drove down the middle, muscling past Baker for a successful layup, plus drawing a foul from Baker!
The Chinese fans, who had been holding back, finally erupted in cheers, with viewers like students, workers, teachers, and office employees all shouting.
Going for a three-point play, Gan Guoyang stepped up to the free-throw line and sank the extra point, which came at just the right time to adjust his muscle feeling.
The previous three-pointer and hook shot had clearly felt wrong on release, both being too forceful.
Gan Guoyang was too excited, needing to control himself.
At this time, Team USA began chaotic substitutions, Rick Carlisle was not only looking to evenly distribute playing time but also wanted to use a rotation strategy to wear out the opponents.
McDyess went off, Kevin Garnett came on, Vin Baker went off, Rashim came on, all substituting in the frontcourt.
Once the two players came on, they immediately started attacking under the basket, fighting for offensive rebounds with continuous jumping, yet still couldn't beat Gan Guoyang.
Gan Guoyang firmly controlled the rebound, China Team's counterattack, Li Xiaoyong controlled the pace, waiting for the two frontcourt players to position themselves.
Gan Guoyang received the ball in the low post, turned face-up, with Garnett and Rashim double-teaming him, Gan Guoyang jumped, and made a beautiful lob pass to the other side to Yao Ming.
Yao Ming caught the ball and executed a powerful one-handed slam dunk! The scene erupted in cheers again, 9-7, China Team cut the gap to just two points.
Gan Guoyang and Yao Ming high-fived, indicating that this play was well-executed, and hoping Yao could get into form soon.
But after cutting the difference to two points, Team USA pushed hard again, and Vince Carter hit another three-pointer from outside!
Facing Hu Weidong's defense, Carter caught the ball and shot decisively, relying completely on his personal ability to make the basket.