NBA: Start by torturing Jordan and add points to upgrade

The fourth quarter remained incredibly close, with both teams trading blows, though the Knicks maintained the advantage for most of the game.

However, as the game progressed, the balance of power began to slowly tilt in favor of the Lakers.

They had just fought tooth and nail against the Clippers last night, and tonight they were playing back-to-back games and four games in five days, so they were definitely at their most exhausted point in the entire regular season.

Their physical limitations became more and more apparent as the competition drew to a close.

With three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Knicks led by two points.

But in the next two minutes, the Knicks embarked on a long stretch of missed shots.

Anthony's mid-range shot, Stoudemire's layup, Lin Tian's three-pointer, and Okur's strong layup all missed their shots.

For a full two minutes, the Knicks failed to score a single point, with all five players missing their shots.

Even more seriously, their already poor defense is getting worse due to their ineffective offense and lack of stamina.

Kobe and Durant both bared their fangs, with Durant hitting a three-pointer and a mid-range jumper, raising his personal score to 30 points despite the threat of five fouls.

Kobe played an all-around game, excelling in rebounding, defense, assists, and individual offense. He not only scored two baskets himself, but also provided assists for both of Durant's points.

In just two minutes, the Lakers went on a 9-0 run, widening the gap to seven points in the blink of an eye!
The shift from leading to falling behind can happen so quickly and unexpectedly.

With one minute left in the game, Don Nelson finally called a timeout.

Of course he wasn't going to admit defeat; he was going to give it another shot!
After all, this is a crucial game that could determine whether the Knicks can achieve the best regular season record in history!
We must get through this!
At this point, the Los Angeles fans had forgotten that this was Lin Tian's last game, and they had forgotten that tonight they should give Lin Tian the utmost respect.

The fans in the arena started chanting and trash-talking at the Knicks.

"You guys are not the greatest team in history!"

"You're far from good enough!"

"You guys aren't even the best team Lin has ever played for!"

"He led the Pacers and Bulls to dominate us many times! You guys just can't do that!"

"They crushed the Lakers with Shaq! You can't do that!"

"You can't even beat a one-man Kobe!"

"Kobe could have wiped you all out by himself. Is Kobe the greatest of all time?"

Wake up! Stop dreaming!

"Their trash talk is so unoriginal. No wonder Hollywood has fewer and fewer noteworthy movies in recent years. Creativity has stagnated."

"It turns out that the people of Los Angeles have run out of creativity."

Despite the fans' mockery, Lin Tian remained relaxed; he's always been like this.

Whether the team is leading by 30 points or trailing by 50 points, he always maintains a calm and collected demeanor, making it impossible to discern his intentions or thoughts.

In layman's terms: This guy has a naturally strong heart!

"There's one minute left, and we're only down by seven points." Old Nelson had just finished drawing up the tactics for the next game, and he knew that the most important thing wasn't drawing up the tactics, but the players' confidence, so he wanted to give them a good morale boost.

"We can catch up in three rounds. Let's defend the next one as quickly as possible, then I'll call a timeout depending on the situation. Then we'll score another one, defend the next one, and finally score one more, and we'll win!"

At this point, Old Nelson scratched his head and said, "It seems a bit complicated and difficult?"

"It's not complicated, nor is it difficult." Lin Tian stood up and said, "Isn't it just about defending and breaking in? It's very easy!"

"Especially me, I don't feel any pressure at all. After all, whether we win or lose this game, we are still the best team in the league. Whether we break records or not, we are still the best team in NBA regular season history. It's just a matter of whether it's the Knicks or Indiana."

"By the way, I also got second place back in Chicago. Even if we lose this game, we can still challenge for second place in Chicago, right? Let's strive for second place, no problem?"

"What's the point of fighting for second place! I'm always aiming for first place wherever I go." Anthony stood up from the bench and said, "I only care about first place! Nothing else matters."

“Me too.” Stoudemire and Anthony stood up together. The tactics that Old Nelson had just devised were designed with the two of them as the finishing points!

In short, the whole tactic involves two players running and then setting off an off-ball screen. Stoudemire then cuts to the basket to find an opportunity for a dunk, while Anthony runs out to the three-point line and sets another screen with Lin Tian before receiving the ball and looking for a three-point opportunity.

As for Lin Tian?

Everyone knows he's the Knicks' number one clutch player, but Nelson is using him as bait to create a feint at this crucial moment!
For Nelson, it's far from the point where Lin Tian absolutely has to go on the offensive!

It's still a long way off.

"Dudu!"

The referee blew his whistle, the timeout ended, and neither side made any substitutions; both teams fielded their starting players.

The ball was then passed to Okur on the sideline. His tall stature made it difficult for opponents to interfere with his passing vision, making him the perfect person to inbound the ball.

Holding the basketball, Okur waited patiently, watching his teammates run around.

Anthony and Stoudemire met at the free-throw line. They then set a screen, and Stoudemire ran towards the basket, but Bynum was already there, and Stoudemire lost his chance to attack the rim directly.

Anthony couldn't shake off Kirilenko either. He moved quickly towards the top of the key and then quickly set a screen for Lin Tian!
This cover finally paid off!
Because Lin Tian's cover was quite perfunctory!
He barely touched Kirilenko before turning around and sprinting towards Oku.

Kirilenko instinctively felt that this was a fake screen, creating an opportunity for Lin Tian! So, almost as if possessed, he and Kobe chased after Lin Tian.

Anthony missed!
Why would Oku hesitate?
The ball was quickly passed to Anthony, who received it and immediately pulled up for a three-pointer without hesitation!
"Shh!"

Then there was another crisp sound, and the ball went in!
Anthony hit a crucial three-pointer that brought the game back from the brink!
After that basket, the Knicks were only down by 4 points.

More importantly, they scored 3 points in less than 4 seconds.

This offensive round and tactical setup were absolutely perfect.

"Kobe, I..." Kirilenko knew it was his fault and couldn't help but apologize to Kobe.

"Alright," Kobe said calmly, "Next time, communicate more. We can't give them open looks again. Whether to switch or not, shout it out loud!"

"Understood!" Upon hearing Kobe's words, Kirilenko quickly shook off the regret and guilt he had just felt. After all, he was a veteran who had played in the league for many years and reached the Finals several times. This setback was not something he would dwell on.

The Lakers didn't call a timeout this time. Kobe took over Fisher's job and dribbled the ball up the court, with Lin Tian still guarding him.

This round is enough to decide the outcome of the match!
This is something that Kobe, Lin Tian, ​​and everyone who watched the game are all quite clear about.

If the Lakers score, the Knicks will essentially be doomed; they won't have enough time left.

But if the Lakers don't make it, then the opportunity will fall into the hands of the Knicks again!

Regardless of whether he makes the cut or not, one thing is certain: Kobe and the Lakers players will be included.

That means no matter what, we should try to make this round last as long as possible, for a full 24 seconds!
The most important thing is to give the Knicks as little time as possible.

After Kobe arrived at the frontcourt, he immediately turned around and protected the basketball. No matter how hard Lin Tian tried to steal the ball, it was difficult for Lin Tian to complete the steal because Kobe was not launching an attack and was only focused on controlling the ball and running down the clock.

Ultimately, they are all top stars in the league, so Kobe certainly has no problem with such basic dribbling skills!
Time flew by, and all the fans at Staples Center spontaneously stood up, eager to see if Kobe could make the shot this time!
With 6 seconds left, Kobe finally got going!

He suddenly switched from being behind to facing the basket, and immediately increased his speed as he turned!

He accelerated forcefully from his right side and charged straight at Lin Tian!
Of course, Lin Tian's lateral movement was faster, quickly blocking Kobe's path and forcing Kobe to turn around again. Kobe then turned his back and made two feints, trying to deceive Lin Tian's center of gravity. But when Kobe chose another direction and forced a turn, Lin Tian anticipated it once again! He crashed into Lin Tian again.

Left with no other option, Kobe could only raise his elbow and strike Lin Tian in the chest during their side collision. He then used the opening created by the blow to turn around again, finally gaining a tiny bit of space.

But Kobe didn't choose to shoot because after the continuous turns and contact, he could clearly feel his legs going weak, and it would be difficult for him to immediately complete a full jump and release the ball.

He needs to catch his breath.

But Lin Tian certainly wouldn't give Kobe any chance to recover; he had already charged forward once again!
Kobe had no choice but to continue accelerating forward. This time, because Lin Tian turned around, he could only defend Kobe from the side. This defensive position could better block the angle of Kobe's inside cut to the basket.

But it also gave Kobe the opportunity to pull up for a jump shot!
Unfortunately, Lin Tian is only human. Against an offensive player like Kobe, he couldn't completely shut down all of Kobe's shooting angles.

It was from this angle that Kobe suddenly stopped after taking two steps toward the basket, and then immediately pulled up and shot!

This time, his jump height was still not high enough, but at least he was closer to the basket and had more confidence and assurance!
But Lin Tian jumped up at almost the same time, and Lin Tian's jump height was obviously higher than Kobe's!

Faced with Lin Tian's incredible jumping height and reaction speed, Kobe in the air used all his strength. His waist, which was the envy of the entire league, twisted in the air, finally allowing Kobe to complete a fold in the air, avoid Lin Tian's defense, and then release the ball.

But if that's the case, there's no way this ball will go in!

Kobe was really good at avoiding a block on that play and not giving Lin Tian a chance to get a shot off!
"Airball! Backboard!"

After the shot was taken, both Lin Tian and Kobe predicted the outcome. The two roared almost simultaneously, reminding their teammate to grab the rebound.

Bynum and others under the basket immediately huddled together to attack this crucial airball.

"Snapped!"

The first to stand out was the tall, long-armed, and agile young Durant. He grabbed the basketball, but before he could even make any move to handle it, Anthony had already pounced on him like a wolf.

"Bring it!"

With a roar, Anthony transformed into a pirate, grabbing the basketball from Durant's hands and snatching it back with all his might.

Durant's strength was no match for Anthony's. The basketball immediately changed hands and ended up in Anthony's hands.

"run!"

As Anthony drove to the basket, he loudly urged his teammates to run alongside him.

In an instant, the two groups of players on the court resembled two herds of warhorses, charging towards the Lakers' half of the court!

A stampede of horses, a torrent of mercury spilling across the ground!
Anthony controlled the ball in the middle, observing his teammates on both sides, and then suddenly slowed down, waiting for Stoudemire to pass by him. Then, he made a behind-the-back pass to Stoudemire.

Stoudemire received the ball and sped toward the basket. After only one dribble, he raised the ball high and unleashed his signature powerful drive to the basket!
But this time, Huashan did not obediently let him smash it to pieces.

This time, Huashan is holding an AK47.

Kirilenko dashed back to the basket like lightning, then leaped high and slapped the basketball that Stoudemire was trying to dunk on.

"Snapped!"

With a crisp sound, the basketball was slapped out of the three-point line by Kirilenko!
If a Lakers player were standing there holding the basketball at that moment, the game would be over.

Unfortunately, it was Lin Tian standing there!

Catch the ball, observe, aim, and then pull it up!

None of the other Lakers players were around Lin Tian at this moment, and he took the Knicks' second consecutive open three-pointer!
"Shh!"

After a crisp sound, Lin Tian hit another three-pointer!
The gap between the two sides narrowed to just one point in the blink of an eye, with only 26 seconds left in the game!
Each side has one attacking opportunity!
Even if the Lakers score the next basket, if they only score 2 points, the Knicks will still have the chance to deliver the final blow and force overtime!

After Lin Tian hit that crucial three-pointer, he immediately turned around to look at the Staples Center fans and put his hands up to his ears.

He was listening, listening to the boos, the curses and shouts of the Lakers fans.

Unfortunately, Lakers fans were completely silent at this moment, most of them caught off guard by the two three-pointers and were in a daze.

Only a few scattered hisses and curses reached Lin Tian's ears.

Not enough, not enough at all.

Your killing intent is too weak.

The Lakers quickly called a timeout at that moment.

Their consecutive missed attacks, coupled with a series of three-pointers, squandered the opportunities that were within their grasp.

Just one minute ago, they had practically secured victory.

One minute later, they were just one goal away from a devastating comeback.

We need to stabilize the situation and calm the players down.

"Give the ball to Kevin! I believe in him!" On the Lakers' bench, Kobe said proactively before the coach gave instructions: "Lin believed in Carmelo, and then they hit that three-pointer. Lin was a good decoy and bait to draw the defense, which allowed them to catch up."

"If Lin can do it, so can I! Now it's time for me to trust my teammates and create space for them to finish the game!"

At this point, Kobe looked at Durant and said, "I believe in you, Kevin, but what about you? Do you believe in yourself? Do you dare to take this offensive shot?"

"Of course I dare!" Durant patted his chest, unwavering and confident, "Whenever an opportunity comes my way, I will never let it slip away!"

"I am Kevin Durant! I will dominate this league!"

"I believe you can too!" Kobe punched Durant, then looked at Tomjanovich, who, for some reason, was perfectly healthy and had not been afflicted by cancer.

"So at the beginning, Kobe still has the ball. We set a screen for Kobe so that he can receive the ball at the top of the key, and then Kobe runs down the clock."

"With about 10 seconds left, Kevin, you and Andre will step up at the same time to set a double screen for Kobe. No matter which direction Kobe comes from, you and Andre will quickly cross over and set another screen."

"Then, Kevin, you run to the far wing, look for an open shot. Kobe, pass the ball at this moment, is that okay?"

"No problem!" The Lakers players quickly grasped the tactic, and then everyone raised their hands at the same time, shouted a slogan, and the timeout ended. Both teams returned to the court.

"Let me guess, you're going to let you play a one-on-one strategy, and then rely on your individual ability to kill the game, right?" After stepping onto the court, Lin Tian asked Kobe with a smile, trying to guess something from his expression.

"This time, I will completely kill the game!" Kobe remained calm, suppressing the smugness in his heart that thought, "I fooled you this time," and made sure his lips didn't curl into a smile.

He knew Lin Tian was a manipulator of psychology, and he knew how wicked this guy's heart was.

We must be careful lest he notice something amiss.

"You're not playing? You guys have some nerve!" Lin Tian instinctively sensed that something was off with Kobe and probed again.

This time, Kobe finally showed a change in expression and shock.

Lin Tian was certain; this time, he had guessed correctly!
This time, however, Lin Tian calmly watched Kobe while yelling, "Defend your own men! Don't leave anyone open! Watch your own men, leave Kobe to me! I'll shut him down again!"

It seems they haven't figured out our tactics?

Kobe breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing Lin Tian sticking close to him, ready to fight him to the death, Kobe felt confident!
You, Lin Tian, ​​aren't omniscient and omnipotent! You can still be fooled by me! (End of Chapter)