"Artest, don't give him any chance to catch the ball," Reggie Miller reminded him.
In Reggie Miller's eyes, Goodwin was terrifying tonight, especially from three-point range.
He'd made six of ten shots, an incredible 60 percent. If they let him keep shooting like this, the game would be over.
"Reggie, I'll shut him down completely." Artest thumped his chest as he promised. He was furious. He couldn't believe Goodwin had seized that split-second opportunity on a single possession and turned it into a three-point play, scoring four points in a row.
Four devastating points.
Artest wanted to slap himself. Why had he gone to help defend Mike James just now?
Even if Mike had driven inside, Jermaine O'Neal and Jeff Foster were there.
"I believe in you. You're our Pacers' best perimeter defender."
The game resumed with the Indiana Pacers inbounding from the backcourt. Jamaal Tinsley quickly dribbled across half court.
Reggie Miller used a screen to get free, caught the ball, and shot immediately, giving Paul Pierce no chance to catch up and bother him.
Clang! The shot lacked a little power and hit the front rim, missing.
The Boston Celtics breathed a sigh of relief, thinking they'd gotten the stop. Even Goodwin began sprinting toward the other end.
The next second, Jermaine O'Neal descended from the sky and slammed the rebound into the basket.
The rim rattled.
He scored on the putback.
78–74
The lead was down to four.
"Beautiful putback, Jermaine!" Reggie Miller shouted. Thank goodness for Jermaine O'Neal's rebound and putback. Otherwise, they'd have been in trouble.
"Shoot with confidence. I've got the boards," Jermaine O'Neal said, patting his chest and giving his perimeter teammates confidence.
Vin Baker looked frustrated. I boxed him out behind me, didn't I? How could he still...
"FUCK!" Vin Baker couldn't