Smack!
Yao Ming got to the ball first, tipping it into the backcourt as the Boston Celtics gained the first possession of the game.
Tony Allen quickly bent down to scoop up the ball, then dribbled like lightning toward the opposing half.
Just after crossing midcourt, Goodwin, Marc Gasol, and Yao Ming moved in sync toward the right side.
At the same time, a huge area opened up on the left, left directly for Gordon Hayward.
Seeing this, Gordon Hayward decisively cut into the low post.
His agile figure shot forward like an arrow loosed from the bow, reaching the ideal position in the blink of an eye.
He spread his arms like a great roc unfurling its wings, firmly sealing Iman Shumpert behind him.
Then, he eagerly stretched out a hand and signaled Tony Allen for the ball.
This was one of the offensive plays Coach Jack had carefully arranged before the game—get the ball to Gordon Hayward and have him isolate against Iman Shumpert in the low post.
After all, Gordon Hayward held a clear advantage in this matchup.
Not only was he taller, but he also outweighed Iman Shumpert.
With those advantages, he was fully capable of overpowering his opponent.
Tony Allen understood immediately and, without the slightest hesitation, fired a precise pass into Gordon Hayward's hands.
The instant he caught the ball, Gordon Hayward exploded with power and drove hard backward. Iman Shumpert, behind him, felt a tremendous force crash into him.
With a thunderous Bang!, it was as if the entire arena shook.
The impact of a full-speed, 104-kilogram Gordon Hayward was no joke. Iman Shumpert, at just 98 kilograms, clearly had trouble absorbing it and involuntarily took a small step back.
But Gordon Hayward did not let up. Pressing his advantage, he continued his