unfinished glory

Chapter 45 Maddie Moment
Yao Ming made two free throws, chasing the score to 66:74.

But there are only 49 seconds left in the game, and they are behind by 8 points. Under normal circumstances, this score can basically declare a death sentence, let alone facing the Spurs who have always been stable.

Li Chongxiao returned to the bench with peace of mind. At this time, the Spurs were Duncan, Malik Rose, Bowen, Devin Brown and Parker on the court.

After Yao Ming made the free throw, Duncan sent the baseline ball to Parker, and then ran to the frontcourt.

But the Rockets' Andre Barrett and Tracy McGrady did not return to the defense, but came to a frontcourt press.After Parker received the ball, they went straight to double-team.

Parker couldn't dribble and get out of trouble. He was not tall enough, and his vision was blocked by McGrady. He could only quickly throw the ball to Duncan who stopped to meet him.

Seeing that Duncan was about to receive the ball, Rockets player Scott Padgett rushed out from behind Duncan and broke the ball.Then he made three steps and made two steps, and he dunked directly.

In less than two seconds, the Rockets chased for 4 points in a row, and Li Chongxiao watched off the court.

The Spurs continued to serve, and the 6-point difference gave the Rockets hope. Their enthusiasm rose, and all players were man-to-man at halftime.

Seeing that Duncan couldn't serve the ball, Popovich shook his head and called a timeout.

The next round is more important. If the Spurs score, the Rockets, in addition to praying for the "Miller moment" to reappear, have to count on the Spurs not scoring to have a chance to tie and enter overtime.

If the Spurs make a mistake and the Rockets seize the opportunity to score a three-pointer, the game will be suspenseful again.

So to be on the safe side, if the Rockets don't foul this round, the Spurs will definitely take time until the end of 24 seconds before making a shot.In this way, only one round is left for the Rockets, and naturally there is not enough time.

Popovich needs to replace a serving point or a receiving point to prevent the ball from being missed; a ball-holding point is also added to prevent being double-teamed or being intercepted; an offensive point is also needed to be able to create scoring opportunities independently; What is absolutely needed is a penalty spot to prevent the Rockets from missing free throws when they use foul play.

In the Spurs, this person can only be Manu Ginobili, who replaced Bowen.

Back from the timeout, the Rockets really guarded against defending the Spurs' serve.But Ginobili served the ball. Facing McGrady's interference, he still delivered the ball accurately to Parker.

Parker took the ball two steps before passing it to Devin Brown in the corner.

Seeing that the Spurs' serving tactic was successful this time, McGrady chose to foul in order to prevent the opponent from wasting time.

It was the Rockets' fifth foul in this quarter, and Devin Brown made two free throws.

The substitute players of the two teams stood up nervously. Devin Brown made the first free throw. The Spurs replaced Ginobili and replaced Bowen to defend.

Devin Brown also made the second free throw, and the point difference returned to 8 points.Li Chongxiao waved his arm vigorously and gave his teammates high fives to celebrate.

With 44.2 seconds left, Scott Padgett sent the baseline to McGrady.

Tracy McGrady dribbles to the frontcourt by himself, and Bowen is following him.Near the top of the arc, the Rockets' Andre Barrett set McGrady on a pick-and-roll.

Malik Rose, who was originally defending Barrett, switched positions with Bowen. He went up and faced McGrady at the top of the arc.

Outside the three-point line at the top of the arc, this is McGrady's offensive strength. Without hesitation, he directly scored a three-pointer and passed through the net.

With 35 seconds left, the score was 76:71, and there was still a gap of 5 points.

Ginobili came on again, this time replacing Malik Rose.

The Spurs made the pass, Devin Brown caught the pass, Bob Sura grabbed it, and sent his sixth foul.

Before the free throw, the Rockets replaced Reece Gannis.

Devin Brown continued to make two free throws, and the Rockets had only one timeout, which they did not use.Yao Ming blocked the man and let McGrady catch the ball.

McGrady dribbled the ball across the frontcourt, a little to the right of the top of the three-point arc, Yao Ming made a screen, and blocked Bowen firmly behind him.

Duncan stepped forward to defend, McGrady made a fake shot from outside the three-point line, and deceived Duncan.Then he leaned in and made a three-pointer.

McGrady made an incredible shot!

The audience stood up, and cheers filled the arena.

Li Chongxiao rested his chin on the bench, watching this scene helplessly.For a superstar, you can never prevent him from dying.Even if he doesn't feel good in front of him, he can always stand up at critical moments.

75:78, Madigar made a free throw, and the Rockets chased the score to only three points.

The Spurs requested a timeout. At this time, there were 24.3 seconds before the end of the game. The Spurs, which had an offensive opportunity, still had a great advantage.

The Rockets replaced Yao Ming to increase defensive mobility.

On Popovich's side, Ginobili and Bowen were replaced with Barry and Malik Rose, which made Li Chongxiao a little puzzled.

But fortunately, the serving tactic was successful. Barry served from the outside, and Parker received the pass in the backcourt and took the ball to the frontcourt.

He passed to Devin Brown on the left, and Brown dribbled towards the basket, and two Rockets stepped forward to intercept.

Brown staggered from outside the three-point line, quickly passed the ball to Duncan in the corner, and ran to the basket by himself.

Before Duncan could pass the ball back to Brown, Scott Padgett charged and fouled Duncan.

Popovich was so angry, he called Brown over and said something, meaning you shouldn't pass the ball to Duncan when it's about to get free throws.

Li Chongxiao stood up nervously, and Duncan made the first free throw.

Bowen and Ginobili were brought up again, and Yao Ming followed suit.

The second penalty was also hit, and the Rockets used up the last timeout.

Duncan, who walked to the bench, took the towel that Li Chongxiao graciously handed over, patted the opponent's head, and smiled slightly.

At the critical moment, he made two free throws and made 14 of 12 free throws in the game. Duncan's free throws today are impressive.Moreover, he scored 28 points, 18 rebounds and 7 blocks in the game. The MVP demeanor is undoubtedly revealed, and he is the biggest contributor to the Spurs' 5-point lead so far.

With 16.2 seconds left in the game, the Rockets' timeout was also used up. As long as the Spurs don't make mistakes, the game is basically won.

Back on the court, the Rockets served at halftime, and the Spurs adopted man-to-man tactics, following very closely, and Andre Barrett could hardly serve.

The Rockets had no timeout. At the critical moment, McGrady stood up. He used Yao Ming's cover to delay Bowen's footsteps.Then, close to the center line, Parker's head came from the defense, and received the pass.

He walked inside with the ball, outside the three-point line, facing Bowen who was following up, he made a direct pull, and made a three-pointer!

This is his third consecutive three-pointer, chasing the score to only two points left!

Li Chongxiao shook his head as he watched the ball off the court. According to his experience, Bowen had already defended the ball in place. He didn't lose his position, and he didn't forcefully block the shot because of the opponent's sudden shot, which resulted in a foul.

This is purely McGrady using his powerful personal ability to perform, making the audience watching the game roar deafeningly.

The Spurs used up their last timeout, and Popovich replaced Ginobili and Bowen with Barry and Malik Rose.

At the same time, he repeatedly emphasized that he must be steady, avoid mistakes, and hit the ball into the hands of players with accurate free throws.As long as one goal is hit or two free throws are scored, the game is won.

On the Rockets side, they also replaced Andre Barrett with Ryan Bowen to play a defense.

With 11.2 seconds left in the clock, Barry sent the ball out of bounds, and Yao Ming stepped forward to interfere with the line of sight.

The Spurs' tactic was still successful. Duncan made a cover on the baseline, allowing Devin Brown, who slipped from the baseline, to get rid of the defense and receive a pass from outside the three-point line on the right.

Yao Ming and Padgett, who was defending Duncan, stepped forward to double-team. Brown dribbled the ball and turned to the baseline, rushing to the basket.McGrady followed up to intercept.

Then Brown slipped to the ground all of a sudden, and the ball was lost! ! !
McGrady picked up the big gift bag delivered to the door, dribbled to the front court, near the left three-point line, ignored Barry's defense, made another three-pointer, and hit it again!

McGrady, who made the shot, was very excited. He punched forward and let out a long growl.

With only 1.7 seconds left, the Rockets 81:80, overtaking the Spurs by one point!
At this time, the Spurs had no timeout. Parker dribbled the ball from the backcourt to the frontcourt and missed a three-pointer. The game ended and the Rockets miraculously defeated the Spurs.

The cheers from the audience almost knocked off the ceiling, and the camera showed Devin Brown, who was in a daze. His last dribble error made a great McGrady moment!
　After thinking and thinking, the moment of McGrady is too rare, it is better not to be slapped off by the butterfly wings.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)