I Will Return It Next Time

"Defense!" "Defense!" "Defense!"... The fans at The Palace of Auburn Hills chanted in unison.

This put immense pressure on the visiting Boston Celtics.

"Clang!" The Boston Celtics' offense came up empty again; Goodwin still couldn't shake off Tayshaun Prince.

Goodwin: (•́へ•́╬)

This sticky plaster is so annoying. (Sticky plaster = Tayshaun Prince)

Is this what top-tier NBA defense feels like?

Hoo, hoo, hoo, stay calm, stay calm. There must be a way.

Just as Goodwin lost focus for a split second, Tayshaun Prince suddenly cut inside.

"Goodwin!" Vin Baker shouted a warning.

By the time Goodwin reacted, it was already too late.

Chauncey Billups delivered a bounce pass to the cutting Tayshaun Prince, who finished with an easy layup to score.

6:14

The gap between the two teams widened to 8 points.

After scoring, Tayshaun Prince turned around, looked at Goodwin with a smile, and said, "Rookie, thanks for the two points." What a heartless blow!

An invisible arrow pierced straight into Goodwin's heart.

Goodwin took a deep breath, patted his chest with his left hand, and said to his teammates, "Sorry everyone, that was on me."

The voice reached the ears of Tayshaun Prince as he ran back on defense. Tayshaun Prince was a bit surprised; he hadn't expected this rookie to have such strong mental fortitude, immediately adjusting himself.

Tayshaun Prince's plan was to provoke Goodwin, hoping to make him commit constant errors. That way, he wouldn't just shut him down, but also create plenty of scoring opportunities for his team.

"Goodwin, focus. Offense is offense, defense is defense, you know?" Vin Baker came over immediately. As an 11-year veteran, Vin Baker knew exactly what state Goodwin was in.

In the previous two games, things had gone too smoothly for Goodwin; he had barely encountered any obstacles. But in this game, under the special attention of Tayshaun Prince, he hadn't been able to break free for two consecutive possessions. Facing such setbacks, it was inevitable that his emotions would dip.

"I know. It won't happen next time—no, wait, there won't be a next time," Goodwin promised.

That's right, offense is offense, defense is defense. He couldn't let his offensive frustrations affect his defense.

The Boston Celtics inbounded the ball again, passing it to Mike James, who quickly dribbled across half-court.

Before the game, Doc Rivers had told his players to try and push the pace to break the Detroit Pistons' slow rhythm, but unfortunately, from the start of the game until now, the results had been poor!

A moment later, Mike James dribbled to the top of the arc and immediately looked for Goodwin. Goodwin was still trying to run out to receive the ball, but he still couldn't shake Tayshaun Prince. Tayshaun Prince stuck to Goodwin like a sticky plaster, not giving him any opportunities.

"Ball!" Just then, Paul Pierce ran to the low post, spread his arms, quickly established position, and reached out for the ball.

Mike James lobbed the ball inside to Paul Pierce.

The moment Paul Pierce caught the ball, Chauncey Billups immediately abandoned his own man and lunged over, attempting to double-team Paul Pierce alongside Richard Hamilton.

At the same time, Ben Wallace moved a step toward the paint, ready to provide help defense at any moment.

Facing this situation, Paul Pierce didn't hesitate for a second; he turned and jumped.

Richard Hamilton pushed off with both feet, his entire body flying up as he tried to block Paul Pierce.

Having reached the peak of his jump, Paul Pierce flicked his wrist, and the ball left his hand, flying toward the rim.

The late-arriving Richard Hamilton could only watch helplessly as the ball sailed over his head.

The ball traced a beautiful arc through the air.

"Swish." The ball fell steadily into the embrace of the rim.

Score!

The Boston Celtics finally broke their scoring drought.

8:14

"YES!" After scoring, Paul Pierce clenched his fist and shouted loudly.

"Great shot, Paul!" "Beautiful shot, Paul." "Senior Paul, amazing!"... The teammates praised him one after another. This basket by Paul Pierce was like a shot of adrenaline for them.

"Next, let's get a stop on this possession."

"Yes."

With their momentum restored, the Boston Celtics showed the home crowd their impressive defensive capabilities.

"Clang!" The Detroit Pistons were almost forced into a 24-second violation; Chauncey Billups was forced into a tough shot, and it clanked off the rim.

Mark Blount secured the rebound. The moment he landed, Mark Blount whipped the ball forward, trying to hit a sprinting Goodwin in the front court.

Slap!

Just as the ball was about to reach Goodwin, an evil hand intercepted the pass.

"Rookie, you want to run the fast break? Did you ask me first?"

Having completed the steal, Tayshaun Prince immediately passed the ball to Chauncey Billups in the front court.

Upon receiving the ball, Chauncey Billups didn't pause for a second and continued to shift the ball, passing it to Richard Hamilton, who had already begun running off the ball.

It must be said that the Detroit Pistons' coordination was truly excellent; from the moment Tayshaun Prince made his move, the entire Detroit Pistons team immediately transitioned from defense to offense.

Richard Hamilton caught the ball, jumped, hung in the air, and released his shot.

The ball settled steadily into the embrace of the hoop, and Richard Hamilton scored once again.

8:16

The point gap reached 8 points.

For the remainder of the first quarter, both sides reached a stalemate, trading baskets back and forth, with the point gap fluctuating around 8 points.

"Beep." The first quarter ended, 16:24, with the Boston Celtics trailing by 8 points.

These 8 points also served as the foundation for the Detroit Pistons' victory.

Throughout the remaining three quarters, Doc Rivers kept trying to make adjustments to break through the Detroit Pistons' defense, but the Detroit Pistons' iron-clad formation was simply too solid to crack.

The Boston Celtics only managed to score 68 points for the entire game.

The Boston Celtics lost 68:82 on the road to the Detroit Pistons, falling by 14 points and ending their two-game winning streak.

Throughout the game, Goodwin was defended by Tayshaun Prince to the point of going 0-for-4 from the field, scoring only 2 points from free throws along with 3 turnovers.

Meanwhile, Tayshaun Prince went 5-for-10, racking up 13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.

It could be said he was completely crushed in every aspect.

This also made Goodwin truly feel the defensive intensity of the NBA's top tier.

(Ron Artest: ???)

In terms of strength, speed, and experience, he was inferior in every way, so it was only natural that he got blown out.

As the final buzzer sounded, Goodwin let it go; a loss is a loss, there are no excuses. He would go back, train hard, and start over!

Before heading back to the player tunnel, Goodwin glanced at Tayshaun Prince, who was celebrating, and muttered, "Next time, I'll pay you back."

Goodwin silently noted this debt in his little notebook.

A gentleman never finds it too late to take his revenge.

He turned and walked toward the player tunnel.