12dz Chapter 485 Durant: Your departure was a mistake!
Chapter 485 Durant: Your departure was a mistake!
Logically, the side that is behind should be more nervous at this point.
But the truth is, with Philadelphia leading by one point, everyone – players, coaches, and even fans – was watching the game with bated breath.
Some devout believers even clasped their hands together and kept muttering something.
Bang!
As Wang Xiucheng's floater hit the rim and missed, Embiid grabbed the rebound, and the Philadelphia home crowd finally roared.
Embiid held onto the ball tightly until no one was around before passing it to Harden.
At that moment, not a single fan in the Philadelphia arena was seated.
Everyone was standing, craning their necks to cheer for their team.
With 51 seconds left, if Harden makes this shot, even just two points, and reduces the time to under 30 seconds, Philadelphia's chances of winning will be much greater.
Wang Xiucheng showed no regret for missing his shot, and immediately went to Harden.
Although he had the "guaranteed three-pointer card," Wang Xiucheng still chose to enter the paint and shoot a floater when he saw an open shot.
The existence of the "guaranteed three-pointer card" allows Wang Xiucheng to score three points anytime, anywhere, as long as he has the ball in his hands.
However, openings to penetrate the paint are hard to come by.
It's just that my throw was a little too powerful.
Harden dribbled sideways, bumped Wang Xiucheng aside with his shoulder, and then quickly crossed the mid-court line.
Everyone in Philadelphia moved to the baseline, creating space. Even Embiid stood on the baseline, holding his knees, taking a few seconds to rest.
Every time Wang Xiucheng attempted a dribble, Harden would immediately turn sideways and use his shoulder to block Wang Xiucheng's movement.
Finally, with 7 seconds left on Philadelphia's offensive clock, Embiid, Tucker, and the rest of the team on the baseline all started moving.
The scene instantly descended into chaos. Harden saw that Wang Xiucheng was blocked by Tucker, so he immediately dribbled past Tucker on the other side and entered the paint.
Harden had just gotten past Wang Xiucheng when he reached out to shoot.
But just then, with a snap, Harden's shot was blocked!
Harden's eyes narrowed, and he reached out to catch the basketball that had fallen to the floor.
The player who had just blocked his shot flew out at an angle, and before hitting the ground, he actually managed to flick the basketball away.
broken!
Harden had only one thought in his mind at that moment.
As soon as Harden turned around, he saw Wang Xiucheng behind him, grabbed the basketball, turned around and passed the ball, leaving Tucker behind.
Tucker knew very well that he was the last defender, and that fouling at this point would give the Nets a free throw and possession.
So Tucker only grabbed Wang Xiucheng's clothes briefly before quickly letting go.
Wang Xiucheng was like an arrow released from a bowstring, rushing straight towards the opposite basket.
After a few strides, Wang Xiucheng stepped onto the free-throw line, then leaped high into the air, holding the basketball, and flew towards the basket.
With a loud bang, Wang Xiucheng slammed the basketball into the hoop with one hand.
The entire arena was extremely quiet, except for the Nets fans who had traveled from afar, who were dancing the Poznan dance and shouting wildly.
Philadelphia trails by one point, 113-114!
Harden glanced back at Durant, who was still lying on the ground.
He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen Durant play this hard.
Just now, Durant even disregarded the risk of injury and completely lunged out to fight for possession of the ball.
Durant then rolled over and sat on the ground, reached out and pulled Westbrook and Claxton to their feet.
Durant turned and glanced at Harden, but ultimately remained silent.
He desperately wanted to tell his brother that his departure was a mistake.
If you hadn't left, then the team going to the Finals would have been the Thunder trio, plus Wang Xiucheng, our new brother!
As for the fact that he himself had applied to leave the team, Durant said he didn't remember!
Of course, Durant also knows that this is not Harden's fault, but Irving's.
Old Li, with his knees flexed and buttocks sticking out, glanced at the remaining 26 seconds and didn't call a timeout.
At this point, he chose to trust Harden and Embiid.
Moreover, Philadelphia has possession of the ball, so they are clearly the team with the advantage.
Of course, the prerequisite is that the ball goes in.
Embiid came to the baseline and passed the ball to Harden.
Although there was no one in front of Maxi, at this moment, Embiid's choice was the same as Doc Rivers': Harden.
After receiving the ball, Harden waited for Embiid to get in front of him before slowly advancing forward.
Once in the frontcourt, Harden began to run down the clock.
26 seconds is enough for Philadelphia to launch an offensive attack, without giving the Nets too much time.
The Nets did not foul at this point, but instead chose to defend the ball.
The Nets are leading by one point and have more options.
Finally, with 5 seconds left on the shot clock, Harden used Embiid's screen to reach the top of the key on the other side.
Wang Xiucheng and Claxton were both pulled away, and Harden bounced the ball to Embiid.
Embiid received the ball and, without hesitation, took a three-pointer from beyond the three-point line.
Even though Claxton had already turned around to block the shot, Embiid still managed to complete the shot.
Swish!
Embiid's three-pointer went in!
After landing, Embiid yelled and immediately looked at the referee.
The referee then blew his whistle.
Claxton got his wrists tapped!
Embiid deserves an extra free throw!
"what……"
Embiid yelled at the scorer's table and punched his chest twice.
It seems that he vented all the frustration from this series.
Philadelphia led 116-114, with one more free throw opportunity.
Old Li immediately requested a pause and then discussed the matter with his team.
With 5 seconds remaining, if Philadelphia makes this free throw, they will lead by 3 points.
The Nets will definitely call a timeout and then inbound the ball from the center line, at which point Wang Xiucheng will shoot a three-pointer.
If the three-pointer goes in, the score will be tied, and there's a high probability that it will go into overtime.
Doc Rivers didn't want to play overtime because both Harden and Embiid were exhausted and far from being as young as Wang Xiucheng.
The problem is simple: if the free throw misses, Philadelphia will grab the rebound, the opponent will only foul, and then Philadelphia will get to the free throw.
In this scenario, Philadelphia has a better chance of winning.
However, if the Nets get the rebound, they will immediately call a timeout and then return to the idea of Wang Xiucheng shooting a three-pointer.
If the Nets make that three-pointer, they will likely win the game.
Old Li scratched his bald head and then looked at the time; there were still "5 seconds" left.
If only we had wasted a little more time just now.
If there are only two seconds left, then Doc Rivers must make sure Embiid misses this free throw.
At that moment, Doc Rivers glanced across the field and saw Nash explaining tactics to the Nets players.
Old Li saw that Claxton was listening intently.
It looks like Claxton will likely get back on the court to grab rebounds.
If Claxton gets the rebound and we immediately foul him, Claxton might not be able to make the free throw.
Furthermore, it also prevents Wang Xiucheng from touching the ball.
With that in mind, Old Li decided on his tactics.