Since both men were nearly out of stamina and were both defensive specialists, neither could get past the other's defense and drive to the basket when they were this exhausted.
All they could do was keep shooting from the perimeter or mid-range.
The basket seemed like a haughty princess, rejecting the basketball, her persistent suitor, again and again.
This possession lasted six exchanges and nearly three minutes.
It went on until the fourteenth minute.
Jordan dribbled to the right with a feint, then quickly crossed over to the left and landed on both feet with his back to Wang Yi.
Then he faked a shoulder feint to the left, followed by one to the right.
Then he turned to the left.
Jordan's second shoulder fake sent Wang Yi jumping. Taking advantage, Jordan turned and put up a mid-range jumper.
The ball hit the front of the rim, bounced off the back, then struck the backboard and ricocheted back before finally dropping through the net.
10–12!
Jordan won the game!
The moment the shot went in, the fans aboard the cruise ships erupted in cheers, some disappointed, others thrilled.
"Oh!"
"Jordan's done it again! Another game-winner!"
"It's 3–3! They're going to Game 7! This is incredible!"
In the real world,
viewers watching the live broadcast were all cheering in delight.
"3–3! Now this is a real Peak Showdown!"
"With the skill these two have, it was only right that it went to 3–3!"
"That's incredible!"
"I was so caught up in it, I forgot to breathe. Jordan hit the game-winner—I can finally breathe again!"
In Texas,
Rose was on vacation, watching the game on TV in his luxurious suite.
As he watched, a surge of passion stirred in his chest.
His eyes were full of longing.
As the once-tough Rose, the