At the other end of the court, the atmosphere on the Lakers bench was tense and solemn.

Head coach Vogel stood in front of the tactical board, his eyes sharp, scanning every player.

He knew that it was a crucial moment to decide victory or defeat, and any negligence could put the team in an irretrievable situation.

"Defense! Defense!" Vogel's voice was low and powerful. He slammed the tactical board hard, trying to attract all the players' attention. "We are behind in the score now. If we want to catch up, we must not only ensure the success rate on the offensive end, but also defend against the Nets' offense. Otherwise, even if our offensive hit rate is high, it will be in vain if we can't defend their offense!"

The players looked solemn, they knew the weight of what Vogel said.

In the NBA, defense and offense are equally important. Sometimes, defense is the key to determining the outcome of a game.

"I ask you to defend like a mad dog in the last quarter!" Vogel continued, his voice revealing unquestionable firmness, "Whether it's Durant or Mitchell, or anyone else, as long as they dare to step into our three-point line, we will make them feel our pressure!"

After talking about defense, Vogel changed the subject and began to arrange offensive tactics: "On the offensive end, we need to increase the frequency of ball transfers and pick-and-rolls between each other. Only in this way can we create better scoring opportunities. Remember, basketball is a sport for five people, not a one-man show. Only when everyone works together can we defeat our opponents!"

The players listened carefully to Vogel's tactical arrangements. They knew that now was the time to fight, and any slackness could cost the team a heavy price.

After arranging the tactics, Vogel gave James a look.

The Lakers star immediately understood what Vogel meant. He stood up, clapped his hands, and said to everyone: "Brothers, I have a few words to say."

After hearing James' words, the other players' attention immediately shifted to him.

They know that James is the soul and leader of the team, and his words carry immeasurable weight.

"There is only one quarter left in the game, and we are still behind." James' voice was steady and powerful. He looked around at each of his teammates, "And tonight, we really want to win this game. So, we must go all out this time. No matter what kind of pressure the Nets put on us in the first three quarters, we must cherish the opportunity in this last quarter and do our best to win!"

James' words ignited the players' fighting spirit. They knew that now was the crucial moment to decide victory or defeat, and any slackness could put the team in an irretrievable situation.

However, James wasn't done yet.

He paused for a moment and continued, "I need everyone's help now. In the last quarter, please fight hard with me. Don't worry about anything. Anyway, we are the one behind in the score now. We just need to make one last effort and go all out to win!"

James' words brought a warm feeling to the players' hearts.

They know that now is the time to unite and work together.

Only by working together can we defeat powerful opponents.

Finally, James said: "If the Nets cut me in the last quarter, I will try my best to make free throws and relieve pressure on everyone."

As soon as James finished speaking, Davis also stood up.

He patted James on the shoulder, then said to the others, "Yes, LeBron is right. This quarter is our last chance. Whether we can avoid being swept in this round of the finals depends on this last quarter. Let's cheer for each other and face the challenge together!"

Davis' words ignited a stronger fighting spirit in the players' hearts.

They knew it was time to fight for honor.

No matter what the result is, they must try their best to win the final victory for the team.

Afterwards, the Lakers players gathered together.

They place their right fist in the middle and stack it all the way up.

This simple action contains infinite power and belief.

Finally, they shouted "Come on" loudly and prepared for the fourth quarter.

As the players walked onto the court, the atmosphere on the bench became more tense and solemn.

Vogel stood on the sidelines, his eyes fixed on every detail on the court.

He knew that it was a crucial moment to decide victory or defeat, and any negligence could cost the team a heavy price.

After a short break, players from both teams once again set foot on the battlefield filled with smoke of gunpowder.

The lights were bright and the audience's cheers were rising and falling, as if they were going to overturn the entire stadium.

Soon, players from both teams returned to the court, ready to fight a desperate battle in the final quarter.

On the Nets side, two main players, Brunson and Cousins, returned to the game. They had rested for a while because of foul trouble. Now they looked energetic, like cheetahs ready to go.

The other three substitute players are Duncan Robben, LeVert and Oubre. Although they did not play much, each of them had a determined look in their eyes, ready to show their value in the limited time.

On the Lakers side, James returned to the game, his eyes revealing an unquestionable determination.

Pope temporarily went off the court to rest and Bradley replaced him.

Therefore, the Lakers' starting lineup is four starters plus Bradley. Such a lineup adjustment is undoubtedly to try their best in the last quarter and strive to make a comeback.

After seeing the two teams' lineups at the beginning of the fourth quarter, domestic commentators Yang Yi and Wang Meng smiled and analyzed and discussed the game in the studio.

Their voices were transmitted through the microphone to thousands of households, allowing every fan who watched the game to feel their enthusiasm and professionalism.

"Oh, this Nets team has such an easy lineup!" Yang Yi said with a smile, his voice carrying a hint of ridicule, "How confident is Coach Lu Yong? In the first half of the fourth quarter, he only played two main players, Brunson and Cousins, and the other three were substitutes. It seems that he is not nervous at all and is still using the players according to the regular rotation."

Wang Meng nodded in agreement: "Yes, in comparison, the Lakers are under much more pressure. In the first half of the fourth quarter, they had almost all their main players on the court, and only Pope was off the court to rest among the starting five. In this way, the Lakers may gain some advantages during this period, but the price is that the main players' physical energy will be consumed very quickly. Not only is it difficult to guarantee the efficiency of both offense and defense, but when it comes to the final decisive moment, the main players are likely to lose their physical strength and the situation will go downhill rapidly."

"Having said that," Yang Yi changed the subject, "The Lakers have no other choice. After all, this game is their last chance, and the main players can only grit their teeth and persevere even if they have to play for a longer time. However, I think the Lakers' lineup is also reserved. Although Bradley didn't play much, his defense and three-point shooting are still quite powerful. Maybe he can bring some surprises to the Lakers at the critical moment!"

"Yes, that's true." Wang Meng agreed, "The lineups of the two teams are very telling. The Nets are already leading 3:0 in this series, and they have an absolute advantage. The Lakers, on the other hand, are fighting a desperate battle with no way out. For the Lakers, this game is not just a battle of victory or defeat, but also a defense of dignity."

The Lakers attacked, and James dribbled the ball across half court with a determined look in his eyes.

On the opposite side, LeVert was ready for battle. His figure gradually became larger in James' sight, and the duel between the two was about to break out.

Davis quickly stepped up and set a perfect pick-and-roll for James.

His movements were swift and accurate, like a precision machine, completing all calculations and adjustments in an instant.

James lowered his center of gravity, bypassed the pick-and-roll, and rushed towards the Nets' restricted area like a wild horse.

His speed was so fast that the spectators on the sidelines were amazed.

Although LeVert retreated behind Davis early on and tried to stop James' breakthrough, his efforts did not seem to have much effect.

James' breakthrough was like a sharp blade, easily tearing through the Nets' defense.

He held the basketball and quickly rushed to the basket like a beast about to hunt.

At this time, Oubre moved sideways and stood in front of James.

His movements were swift and decisive, trying to use his body to block James' attack. The two of them jumped almost at the same time, as if two lightning bolts met in the air.

In the air, their bodies collided violently, as if two powerful forces collided in an instant.

Although Oubre has a strong body, he is obviously not comparable to James in terms of strength.

In the confrontation, he was bounced back by James' powerful force, like a leaf blown down by the wind.

James adjusted himself and sent the ball into the basket with his soft touch in the air.

At that moment, time seemed to stand still, and everyone stared with bated breath, waiting for that decisive moment.

With a "swish", the basketball passed through the net, making a crisp and pleasant sound.

James broke through and made a layup, narrowing the gap to 5 points.

At this moment, Lakers fans seemed to see the hope of a comeback. They cheered and applauded James' wonderful performance.

However, James did not celebrate after scoring the goal.

He spread his hands to signal to the referee that Oubre had committed a foul, but the referee ignored his appeal.

A trace of helplessness flashed across James' face, but he did not give up.

He knows that in a game, every detail can affect the final result.

Therefore, he quickly adjusted his mentality and prepared to meet the challenges of the next round.

And Oubre was a little annoyed.

His assist in defense just now was very timely and his jump was sufficient, but he suffered from a lack of strength.

He shook his head and ran to the front court, ready to regain his form in the next round.

He knew that the game was not over yet and he still had a chance to contribute to the team.

Although this offensive and defensive round was short, it was full of tension.

James' breakthrough and layup showed his strength and skills, while Oubre's defense also showed his hard work and struggle.

In this round, players from both teams showed their own characteristics and styles, making the game more interesting.

Offensive and defensive transition, the Nets attack.

Brunson dribbled across half court. Tonight, his touch was hot, as if every shot could hit the bull's eye.

He is well aware of his strengths and knows that the Lakers' defense against him will be extremely tight.

Therefore, after dribbling across half court, he did not rush to attack, but passed the ball to Dun Luo.

After receiving the ball, Duncan Luo immediately felt the defensive pressure from the Lakers.

However, with Brunson off the ball, he got better offensive opportunities.

He quickly scanned the court, looking for the best passing route.

At this moment, he saw Oubre cutting into the inside. Oubre's figure was looming in the crowd, like a flash of lightning across the night sky.

Duncan Robinson passed the ball without hesitation, the basketball drew a beautiful arc and landed accurately in Oubre's hands.

After Oubre received the ball, he appeared extremely confident facing Kuzma who was defending him.

He took a step and took off on the spot, as if he was going to dunk over Kuzma, pushing the passion of the game to a climax.

Seeing this, Kuzma did not show any weakness.

He jumped up and tried to stop Oubre's attack.

However, in the air, he was outshined by Oubre's strong physical fitness.

As the ball was about to be dunked, the spectators on the sidelines held their breath and watched, waiting for that decisive moment.

At this critical moment, a figure suddenly appeared behind Oubre.

The person who came was LeBron James. He was like a cheetah, catching his prey at the critical moment.

He just waved his hand, and with a snap, he blocked Oubre's shot from behind.

The block came so suddenly and so fast that Oubre was caught off guard.

He was knocked to the ground by the huge force coming from behind, and the basketball flew out.

However, the basketball did not fly out of the court, but fell into Davis' hands.

Davis caught the ball in a hurry and then immediately sent a long pass forward.

The pass was not very good, the trajectory was a bit high and the speed was not fast.

However, this did not affect Bradley's fast break.

He ran to the frontcourt like a flash of lightning and caught Davis' long pass.

Bradley caught the ball without any hesitation.

He made a layup and made a steady hit, which perfectly demonstrated the fast break counterattack in this round.

His goal was like a thunder, shaking the entire stadium.

Lakers fans cheered and applauded Bradley's outstanding performance.

This round of offense and defense transition was full of drama.

The Nets' offense was as surging as the tide, while the Lakers' defense was as solid as a wall of steel, indestructible.

However, with Brunson's off-ball containment and James' key defense, the Lakers successfully launched a fast break counterattack and narrowed the score to only three points.

The score difference between the two teams came within one round, and the suspense of the game was increased again.

The audience on the sidelines watched with bated breath, knowing that the outcome of this match would depend on these one or two rounds that were repeated over and over again. (End of this chapter)

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