The Golden Age of Basketball
Chapter 1966 - 31: Luck Is Also a Part of Strength (3)
Porter gave Gan Guoyang a disbelieving look, said nothing, and now felt like feigning an injury to leave the court.
Compared to Gan Guoyang's brilliant performance, Webb's airball was quite embarrassing.
Furthermore, Webb relies a bit too much on mid-range jump shots in offense. His face-up and post-up techniques are not polished in detail. Once the defensive intensity increases, due to his not particularly outstanding height and wingspan, he easily struggles.
Therefore, he'd rather throw mid-range shots from both 45-degree angles, betting on hand sensation. Sometimes, he can make them.
So, back in offense, it's still Bibby and Webb's pick-and-roll, a step back, Glory's defense is still cautious, and Gan Guoyang is inside to prevent the Kings' cuts and screen plays.
Webb takes a mid-range jump shot, this time he makes it.
The cheers at the venue became louder, but Webb wasn't as energetic as he was at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
The game entered the final showdown stage, Gan Guoyang started moving to the low post, attracting a double-team from three Kings players.
Immediately passed the ball to the top of the arc to Porter, Porter catches and shoots a three-pointer, and it goes in!
Old Porter really exploded this game, after being pushed to the starting position, he made very impressive offensive and passing plays, and was very composed at critical moments.
However, Porter wasn't happy after scoring, thinking to himself, it's over, playing so well, I can't retire.
The Glory Team took a 1-point lead, the teams entered a tug-of-war, and Glory was clearly more vibrant in morale.
Defensively, Padgett forced Christie into an offensive foul, giving Glory possession.
Although Gan Guoyang missed a three-point attempt from the top of the arc, he suddenly made a move defensively, stole the ball from Bibby, and assisted Raja Bell for a successful layup, extending the lead to 3 points.
Then both teams scored consecutively; the situation wasn't very optimistic for the Kings as the point difference maintained at 3 points.
Kings team called a timeout, with the game having only one minute remaining.
Players from both teams were competing on nerves; Kings still relied on Bibby and Webb's pick-and-roll coordination, but this time it was at the top of the arc, beyond the three-point line.
Bibby breaks through, Glory shrinks their defense, Bibby passed the ball back to Webb, Webb takes a three-point attempt at the top of the arc!
The ball drew a straight arc line, hit the backboard, and bounced into the basket!
Webb's three-pointer tied the score! The whole ARCO Arena boiled!
After Webb tied the score with this three-pointer, Glory Team immediately called a timeout to reorganize their offensive strategy.
Scoring this, Webb was extremely excited. This should be the first crucial shot he made in his career facing Ah Gan.
Of course, the game wasn't over. After coming back from the timeout, Gan Guoyang swiftly took a turnaround jump shot in the low post, scoring!
The Glory Team regained the lead, 117:115, Kings called another timeout.
The atmosphere on-site was heated to a fever pitch; the last few dozen seconds could take up to 20 minutes to play.
Adelman devised a high-post offensive tactic, Divac came out to receive the ball, Webb screened for Stojakovic, feinting a receiving play, but the ball actually went to Mike Bibby running the baseline to the right corner.
Bibby received Divac's precise pass, took a three-point shot, scored!
117:118, the whole ARCO Arena boiled over, Kings scored a three-pointer in the last 10 seconds, overtaking the score.
Glory Team was forced into a desperate situation, Tomjanovich used his last timeout.
During the timeout, Adelman repeatedly reminded the players of one thing: be cautious about Ah Gan's offensive rebounds. ๐ป๐๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ธโฏ๐ท๐๐ฐ๐โฏ๐ญ.๐ค๐ฐ๐ฎ
The last offensive play was to determine the outcome, both sides lined up their formations.
Gan Guoyang was the focus of defense, but the game against the Trail Blazers proved that only guarding Ah Gan wouldn't suffice.
Glory Team's other players equally possess the capability to make crucial shots.
The ball was delivered, Porter and Gan Guoyang made a pick-and-roll, after catching the ball and breaking through a step, three Kings players squeezed up.
Gan Guoyang forced a shot at the top of the arc but didn't make it, the shot was too strong.
Under the basket, everyone scrambled, Miller tipped the ball, but the tip-in still missed.
Divac, adhering to instructions, swung a big hand, swatting the ball far from the basket.
Resultantly, the ball returned straight into Gan Guoyang's hands, Gan Guoyang grabbed the ball, made a quick jump shot at the free-throw line!
It was too close, without any interference, there was no way it would miss.
Kings players rushed for the rebound, unaware that Ah Gan stayed outside waiting for the ball?
At the moment the buzzer sounded, the ball swept through the hoop, a buzzer-beater victory!
After the ball went in, the whole ARCO Arena fell silent, Kings players quietly shed tears.
Upon raising their heads and looking at the playback, the shot was released before time expired, it was a perfect buzzer-beater.
Radiant Players were already cheering, went back to the locker room with Gan Guoyang to celebrate victory.
In post-match interviews, Gan Guoyang acknowledged the immense element of luck in his final shot; if Divac had secured the ball steadily, he wouldn't have had the opportunity for a buzzer-beater.
"But, luck is also part of skill."
Regarding why he chose to directly throw from the top of the arc, Gan Guoyang candidly stated, "We were out of options, just throw it and see. We can still grab the rebound."