In the third quarter, both teams' shooting percentages continued to decline under the suffocating defense. O'Neal encountered Boston's fierce " Hack-a-Shaq Tactic in the paint, with Big Ben and substitute Wang Zhizhi taking turns fouling him. On the Boston side, Pierce and Hill's drives to the basket were repeatedly thwarted by the Lakers ' ironclad defense.
After three quarters, Boston led 60-59, with only a one-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
As the fourth quarter began, the air in TD Garden seemed to solidify. All 20,000 fans stood to watch the game, and every basket, every missed shot, and even every whistle from the referee elicited a loud gasp or sigh.
With three and a half minutes remaining in the game, the score was tied at 78-78.
The Lakers were on offense, Kidd was controlling the ball at the top of the key, breathing heavily.
Throughout the second half, Jordan took very few shots, Lakers placed the majority of their offensive pressure on O'Neal. However, under Boston's relentless double-teaming, O'Neal's stamina was starting to show signs of fatigue.
Kidd glanced at Jordan in the right corner; Jordan was being entangled by Gary Payton and had no space to receive the ball.
Left with no other option, Kidd had to call for Barkley's screen and force his way into the paint.
Boston's defense collapsed extremely quickly, with Garnett and Big Ben forming a tight wall in the paint. Kidd narrowly avoided Garnett's block in mid-air, attempting to throw the ball towards the basket.
"Smack!"
Ben Big Ben came over to defend fiercely from the wing and slapped the basketball that Kidd had thrown away.
A stunning hat!
The roar of the New Garden exploded instantly.
Billups won the loose ball, and Boston launched a counterattack.
In this do-or-die moment, Boston didn't employ any complicated tactics. The ball was passed to Chris Paul Pierce, who was making a quick run down the court.
Facing Quentin Richardson on defense, Pierce didn't slow down beyond the three-point line. He lowered his center of gravity and resolutely drove into the paint, overpowering his defender.
In the instant their bodies collided violently, Pierce displayed terrifying core strength. Despite being completely off balance, he forcefully tossed the ball toward the basket.
"Beep!!!"
The referee blew the whistle; a defensive foul was committed.
The basketball spun twice on the rim before narrowly falling into the net.
Two plus one!
"Boom!"
After scoring, Pierce sat on the floor, clenched his fists, and let out a wild roar. The entire dome of the New Garden trembled at his roar.
Pierce calmly made the free throw and was awarded a putback, making it 81-78.
There are two minutes and ten seconds left in the game.
On the Lakers ' bench, Phil Jackson didn't call a timeout; he only had one timeout left.
At this point, the game was entirely in the hands of the players on the field.
The ball was once again in O'Neal's hands. The Big Shark made two quick moves in the low post, then turned and attempted a hook shot. However, his severe exhaustion caused him to lose control of his strength, and the basketball bounced off the back of the rim.
Garnett leaped high and secured the crucial defensive rebound.
Lin Qi stood on the sidelines, his hands clenched into fists. If Boston could score on this possession and extend their lead to more than 5 points, the game would almost certainly be won under the extremely tight defensive pressure of a Game 7.
Boston maintained a tight 24-second offense.
The ball was passed to Garnett in the paint. Facing Barkley, Garnett patiently made a turnaround fake, then smoothly took a fadeaway jump shot.
Barkley couldn't jump anymore; he could only stretch out his arm to try and interfere.
Under the watchful eyes of 20,000 people, the basketball traced a beautiful arc and landed steadily in the net.
83 to 78.
With one minute and five seconds left in the game, the point difference has reached 5 points!
The New Garden has completely descended into a frenzied celebration. Fans are waving towels, hugging each other, and some are even moved to tears.
In this low-scoring Game 7, leading by 5 points with one minute remaining was an almost insurmountable barrier.
"They're going to collapse..." Rick Carlisle whispered excitedly beside Lin Qi.
But Lin Qi didn't speak. He stared at the figure on the field wearing the away jersey.
Michael Jordan.
Despite the deafening roar from the crowd, that Lao Liumang's eyes remained terrifyingly cold.
The Lakers called their final timeout.
Thirty seconds later, the game restarted.
The Lakers inbound the ball in the frontcourt. Everyone is guarding O'Neal and Kidd.
But the moment the ball was served, Jordan, who had been silent all along, suddenly sprang into action. Using Barkley's screen, he forcefully pushed past Gary Payton's tight defense and received the inbound pass at the top of the key.
Without the slightest hesitation, Jordan decisively pulled up for a jump shot.
This was not just a three-pointer, but a difficult shot made despite Gary Payton's defense.
Jordan's three-point shooting percentage wasn't high that night. From that position, Boston could even tolerate him taking such inefficient three-pointers.
But at this life-or-death moment...
"Whoosh!"
A crisp, hollow sound as it enters the net.
83 to 81.
The point difference instantly narrowed to 2 points! 48 seconds left in the game!
The celebration at New Garden was abruptly interrupted. Fans watched in horror as Jordan, after scoring, showed no emotion and merely clutched his ribs.
Boston has possession of the ball.
Rick Carlisle was frantically gesturing on the sidelines, urging them to slow the pace and increase their success rate.
Billups held out until the last eight seconds before launching an attack. Pierce received the ball on the wing, attempting to replicate his earlier feat and overpower Marion.
But this time, Pierce's step-back mid-range shot lost its accuracy due to extreme fatigue.
"Clang!"
The basketball bounced off the front edge of the rim.
O'Neal blocked Big Ben, managing to secure the rebound with difficulty.
With 18 seconds left in the game, the Lakers had no timeouts remaining.
Kidd dribbled past half-court, the entire arena erupted in sharp boos to distract him.
"Defend it! Defend it and we'll win!" Rick Carlisle shouted uncontrollably from the sidelines.
Kidd calmly controlled the pace at the top of the key, looking for an opportunity.
Time ticked by, second by second.
10 seconds, 8 seconds, 6 seconds.
O'Neal frantically tried to establish position in the low post, but Big Ben and Garnett resolutely double-teamed him, giving Kidd no chance to pass the ball.
Jordan was once again relentlessly and fiercely guarded by Gary Payton.
With just four seconds left on the shot clock, Kidd suddenly accelerated and drove towards the basket.
Boston's defense immediately collapsed.
Just as Big Ben was about to jump to block the shot, Kidd mysteriously flicked the ball to the outside.
The ball was passed to the right corner.
And there, while everyone's attention was drawn to the inside, Charles Barkley, that old fat man with an extremely poor three-point shooting percentage, was standing outside the three-point line.
Boston's defense completely missed him.
Barkley received the ball, stood on his tiptoes, and used a standard push shot to send the ball toward the basket.
The entire stadium of 20,000 people, the ten players on the court, and even Lin Qi held their breath, staring at the basketball that traced an extremely high arc through the air.
The red light is on.
The buzzer sounded to signal the end of the match.
And amidst the extremely piercing aftersound of the buzzer...
"Whoosh."
A crisp, grinding sound.
83 to 84.
Barkley's three-pointer not only went in, but it was the game-winning three-pointer!
But just as the Los Angeles Lakers ' bench was about to rush onto the court to celebrate wildly, the referee blew his extremely sharp whistle again, crossing his arms in front of his chest, making a clear ruling gesture.
The goal stands, but Barkley's right foot landed on the three-point line before he jumped to receive the ball.
That's not three points, it's two!
83 to 83!
A draw!
After experiencing both great joy and sorrow, the entire New Garden fell into an eerie silence.
The score is tied, so the game goes into overtime!