Glory scored 33 points in a single quarter, 26 of which were directly related to Gan Guoyang, leading the Trail Blazers by 6 points, 78:72.
Gan Guoyang played the entire quarter without resting. In the last 10 seconds of the final play, under the double-team of Kobe and Little O’Neal, he still hit a long two-pointer, astonishing everyone.
After scoring, Gan Guoyang shouted at Kobe and Little O’Neal: "Merry damn Christmas, you punks!"
The offense and defense of both sides reached their peak in this quarter, while Kobe only scored 2 points in the third quarter.
Supporting the Trail Blazers’ offense were Michael Redd’s three-pointers and Bonzi Wells from the bench.
Wells and Redd hit 5 three-pointers in the third quarter, which was the main reason the Trail Blazers maintained the score gap with Glory.
Kobe wasn’t underperforming; he was waiting, enduring, knowing that his true explosion would come in the fourth quarter.
The first four-plus minutes of the fourth quarter were the calm before the showdown, with both teams’ rotation lineups on court, trying to score as much as possible.
80:72, 80:74, 80:76, then the score froze for a long time, as both teams found it hard to score again.
Yao Ming struggled to grab an offensive rebound under the basket, missed the putback shot due to a foul, and finally got a chance at the free throw line.
He made the first free throw, 81:76, and Glory substituted, with Jordan and Gan Guoyang back on court.
On the Trail Blazers’ side, Kobe and Little O’Neal also returned to the game; it was now a fight to the finish between the two teams.
Yao Ming missed the second free throw; Big Ben grabbed the defensive rebound and passed the ball to Kobe.
Kobe dribbled rhythmically, creating space from Jordan, and hit a right-side 45-degree pull-up jumper!
"I’ve scored over 20 points, Sonny!" Kobe shouted at Gan Guoyang, having reached 20 points.
Then, Gan Guoyang encountered another double-team at the low post, passed the ball to Jordan, who attempted a breakthrough but was stopped by Kobe!
Counterattack, Kobe rushed down the court, received the ball, pushed into the basket, and alternated hands for a successful layup!
With 4 consecutive points, the Trail Blazers narrowed the gap to just 1 point. Finally, Gan Guoyang and Jordan signaled, and Jordan nodded to show he understood.
Van Exel dribbled past half-court and passed the ball to Jordan, who dribbled between his legs, with Gan Guoyang screening near the three-point line.
This position was quite far out, not the usual pick-and-roll spot for Jordan and Gan Guoyang, but the Trail Blazers dared not take it lightly and pulled out to tightly follow.
Kobe reached in, Gan Guoyang came to screen Kobe away, Jordan accelerated, Little O’Neal had to chase Jordan, and Jordan reached the free-throw line then suddenly passed back to the cutting Gan Guoyang, who received the ball and shot a quick three-pointer from the top arc!
Score! 84:80, widening the gap back to 4 points.
Kobe realized he faced an unsolvable problem.
But he didn’t believe this problem was truly unsolvable, did he?
The game continued, Kobe likewise launched a three-pointer from outside, forced it, and hit it!
The entire Rose Garden was ignited, with Kobe and Ah Gan exchanging three-pointers!
Jordan continued to control the ball, Kobe pressed full court, while Gan Guoyang set the pick at mid-court this time.
Jordan shook off Kobe, Little O’Neal had to cover for Jordan, and Jordan bounced the ball to Gan Guoyang.
Gan Guoyang received the ball, dribbled from outside the three-point line straight to the basket, Big Ben came to help, and Gan Guoyang tossed a high arcing pass inside.
Yao Ming caught it in the air and slammed it home!
Carl sensed danger and immediately called a timeout.
When Ah Gan and Jordan started their pick-and-roll, the entire Glory team felt different.
Their offense contained a magnificent and grand momentum.
After this dunk, Yao Ming realized that Porter was right; there were scenarios where he could make an impact.
What he needed to do was patiently wait and be ready.