In the following possessions, Miller continued to score. Pull-up jumpers, difficult layups through gaps on the baseline, free throws after drawing fouls... He was like a warrior burning to the last breath, using his most primal instincts to fight against the entire Celtics defense.
But the Celtics ' targeted tactics did not stop.
Pierce initiated another pick-and-roll at the top of the key, and Garnett's screen was of good quality. Miller was forced to switch on defense, and this time Pierce didn't even bother to dribble much, directly backing down Miller with his back and shoulders, using his back and shoulders to force Miller to the basket, and then easily scoring with a hook shot.
Miller gritted his teeth, braced his hands on his knees, and his chest heaved violently.
In the next possession, Jones had the ball, and Mutombo set a screen. The Pacers opted not to switch this time, but Miller's speed around the screen had noticeably decreased. Jones gained space and calmly jumped to shoot, the ball swishing through the net.
The Celtics ' young core has begun to relentlessly take over the game. Garnett, after a series of high-post dribbles, scored 4 points with an unstoppable turnaround jumper. On the defensive end, he displayed suffocating coverage, blocking Smits' seemingly inevitable layup. Meanwhile, on the perimeter, Pierce used his unique rhythm to isolate Rose, showcasing the offensive skills he learned during his Europe tour. He tore through the defense with his agile footwork, converting a layup into a 2+1 play, and then landed with a triumphant pound on his chest.
After three quarters, the Celtics led 78-73, entering the final game with a 5-point advantage.
Miller scored 29 points in three quarters. But as he walked to the bench, the close-up shots on the broadcast mercilessly exposed the truth to the world: his long, slender legs, which had worn out countless defensive stalwarts, were now trembling slightly and uncontrollably.
Early in the fourth quarter, Larry Bird forced Miller to sit on the bench for a rest. But just two minutes later, the Celtics ' second unit unleashed an 8-2 scoring run, instantly widening the gap to double digits.
Larry Bird gritted his teeth and was forced to call Miller back.
Miller's first offensive play after entering the game saw him use a screen to cut out and pull up for a three-pointer over the defense, which he hit! This game-winning three-pointer rekindled hope in the arena. But the harsh reality soon arrived. In the next possession, when he tried to receive the ball at the top of the arc to shoot again, his start, turn, and pull-up were noticeably half a beat slower.
It was that fatal half-beat that made the young Jones leap into the air without hesitation, his fingertips scraping the surface of the basketball.
The ball went way off course, not even touching the rim.
The Celtics immediately launched a counterattack, Gary Payton delivered a precise long pass, allowing Pierce to finish the play with a powerful one-handed dunk, like a wild horse unleashed.
With 6 minutes remaining in the game, the Pacers were down by 10 points.
After the timeout, possession returned to Miller. He held the ball on the right wing, facing Jones, and dribbled between his legs several times, followed by a classic crossover, and then the step-back move that even Kobe had consulted about.
He had practiced this routine tens of thousands of times in the training hall, and could perform it with his eyes closed, as smoothly as silk. But this time, as he prepared to jump, the numbness from the accumulated lactic acid completely overwhelmed his nerves. His legs felt like they were filled with lead, and could no longer provide enough power.
The arc of the shot was too flat, and the power was insufficient.
"Bang!"
The basketball slammed heavily against the front edge of the rim and bounced out.
Mutombo leaped high to grab the rebound, and Gary Payton immediately launched a fast break. Miller gritted his teeth and desperately tried to chase back with his heavy legs, but his body was no longer under his brain's control. Pierce received the ball on the right wing, and facing the staggering Miller on defense, he used a simple acceleration and change of direction to easily pass the panting veteran and score a layup.
12 points.
The deafening cheers in Conseco Fieldhouse gradually turned into heartbreaking sighs.
With three minutes remaining and a nine-point deficit, Miller positioned himself on the left side, attempting a powerful drive to repeat his miraculous comeback from the previous game. However, as he abruptly stopped at the free-throw line to pull up for the ball, exhaustion caused him to lose his balance, slip, and the experienced Gary Payton stole the ball from his hands.
Gary Payton pulled away, assisting Jones on a fast break for another powerful two-handed dunk.
11 points.
The tide has turned.
Miller stood alone, bent over deeply, his hands gripping his knees tightly, his chest heaving violently. Sweat dripped from his chin onto the floor, his jersey completely soaked.
Larry Bird called one last long timeout.
As Miller staggered back to the bench, he didn't look at anyone, but simply lowered his head and hoarsely said to Larry Bird, "I'm sorry, Larry Bird... I can't feel my legs. I tried my best..."
Larry Bird stepped forward, put his arm around his thin shoulder, and patted him hard. "You've done enough, brother."
With 1 minute and 50 seconds remaining, Larry Bird substituted the starter, signaling the end of the game. At that moment, 20,000 Indiana fans rose to their feet and erupted in thunderous applause. They did not boo the loss, but instead paid the highest tribute to this warrior who had given his all.
Miller slumped at the very end of the bench, covering his face with a white towel. No one could see his expression.
The final buzzer sounded, the Celtics won 96-85 on the road, taking a 3-1 lead in the series and reaching match point.
The young Boston Celtics players celebrated wildly with chest bumps, as if the NBA Finals were already within reach.
Lin Qi, with his hands in his trouser pockets, watched from afar the figure on the Pacers bench whose face was covered by a towel.
The 35-year-old veteran scored 32 points in the game, but in the fourth quarter, he only managed 3 points on 1-of-5 shooting. Under the Celtics ' intense pressure throughout the game, his energy was completely depleted. His desire to win remained strong, but he was unable to make even a single open three-pointer.
At the post-game press conference, a reporter asked a very pointed question, " Reggie, what exactly happened to you in the fourth quarter? Why did you suddenly lose your magic?"
Miller remained silent for a full five seconds in front of the microphone before calmly uttering a few words.
"I'm old, that's all."
The atmosphere in the locker rooms of the two teams after the game was like the extremes of ice and fire.
The atmosphere in the Celtics' locker room was electric. Garnett and Pierce high-fived, but their eyes lacked the pride of a triumphant victory; instead, they displayed a more intense, almost menacing focus. Gary Payton, wiping sweat from his brow, walked over and patted the two young stars heavily on the shoulders. "Listen, guys, just one more game. Bring that damn fifth game down, and we're on our way to the NBA Finals."
Doc Rivers is talking with his assistant coaches, summarizing the gains and losses of this game.
The door was pushed open, and Lin Qi walked in. The once noisy locker room instantly fell silent.
"You executed your plan very well tonight." Lin Qi surveyed the entire arena, his eyes deep. "But I must remind you of one thing... Reggie Miller scored 32 points tonight, with his legs already shaking. That's the playoffs, that's true superstar quality."
Lin Qi raised his voice slightly. "The day after tomorrow, we will return to Boston. What awaits us is the fiercest counterattack from the Indiana. Don't expect them to admit defeat gracefully; I want you to be prepared for a tough battle."
Pierce jumped to his feet, raising his right fist high. "Lin, on our home court, we're ending this series ourselves. Sending them home to fish!"
Lin Qi nodded slightly, then turned and left.
In the Pacers' locker room, there was a deathly silence, broken only by the players' heavy breathing and the rustling of ice packs.
Miller huddled alone in the deepest corner, his face buried in his hands. Jalen Rose walked over, opened his mouth as if to say something comforting, but ultimately felt that any words would seem inadequate at this moment. He sighed and simply patted Miller's shoulder silently.
Larry Bird Larry Bird pushed open the door and entered. He walked straight up to Miller, knelt down on one knee, and looked the veteran in the eye.
" Reggie, look up at me."
Miller slowly lowered his hands, his bloodshot eyes glistening with tears.
"The game isn't over yet, we're not out." Larry Bird's tone was calm yet powerful. "Back in Boston, we still have a chance to bring the series back here. But what I need now isn't a lone hero who risks his life to score 40 points, but a cold-blooded killer who, no matter how many shots he misses, can still deliver the fatal blow in the final minute."
Miller took a deep breath, his chest expanding slightly. He looked into Larry Bird's eyes and nodded firmly.
2:00 AM, Lin Qi's hotel room.
Lin Qi sat on the sofa, his eyes fixed on the television screen. The VCR was replaying Miller's every shot in the fourth quarter frame by frame.
The take-off height decreased slightly compared to the first quarter, and the preparation time from receiving the ball to releasing it was noticeably slower... The lateral movement of the step-back was also smaller.
"Physical fitness is the foundation of all tactical execution and willpower." Lin Qi pressed the power button on the remote control, and the television screen turned to static. He muttered to himself in the darkness, "Even the strongest willpower cannot defy the laws of physiology for long."
At the same time, at Miller's own villa.
In the bathtub, warm steam rose and enveloped Miller's bruised and aching body. He tilted his head back, his empty eyes staring at the ceiling light, his mind filled with the sounds of his shots hitting the rim several times in the fourth quarter.
He knew better than anyone that his body had reached its limit.
But how could he accept that?
His thoughts drifted back to a long time ago. From being diagnosed with leg deformities at birth to taking his first steps in heavy metal braces, from being ridiculed by everyone to becoming a sharpshooter that no one dared to underestimate, his life was a history of fighting against fate.
"One more match," Miller whispered to himself in the quiet bathroom, his voice soft yet carrying immense weight. "Even if I only have a sliver of strength left, I'll stand and fight until the very last second."
He slowly closed his eyes. In a daze, he seemed to see again the rusty basket in his backyard from his childhood.
That old basketball hoop had witnessed countless times his exceptionally talented sister Cheryl, mercilessly swatting the ball away. But it was also that hoop that witnessed a skinny boy wiping away his tears, picking up the ball, and stubbornly jumping up again time and time again.
"I haven't given up yet..." Miller said softly.