Braised Eggplant with Minced Pork

Chapter 262 An Unspeakable Mix of Pleasantness and Pain (1/5)

The Heat were at risk of collapsing at any moment with a 15-point deficit.

James held the ball again in the frontcourt, reaching out to signal Turiaf for a pick and roll.

After facing Diaw, he chose to force his way to the basket for a layup.

After his teammates missed his passes one after another, he chose to do it himself!

After three steps, he took off powerfully. After gaining weight, he was truly like a tank, unstoppable.

Diaw was knocked out of bounds, but the referee didn't blow the whistle.

James directly dunked with both hands!

The point difference came to 13 points.

The Heat finally pulled the score back from the brink.

Leonard's mid-range shot in the frontcourt went wide.

Turning around, James continued his solo play.

This time, Splitter provided a strong help defense, but at the cost of a foul.

James took a deep breath and made both free throws after adjusting.

He personally launched a 4-0 run, narrowing the point difference to 11 points.

Diaw's shot in the frontcourt didn't go in, and turning around, James continued to force his way in and scored again!

He personally launched a 6-0 run, narrowing the point difference to 9 points!

During this stretch, the Spurs' inside defense couldn't withstand his continuous assault.

Popovich replaced Diaw with Blair.

This was also where the Spurs were at a disadvantage. James could play the entire game, but Duncan was old. After attacking so much in the first quarter, he needed to rest at this time.

Ginobili hit a clutch three-pointer from beyond the arc at a critical moment, helping the team stabilize the situation.

But turning around, James passed to Miller, who also made a three-pointer in response.

Blair's strong attack under the basket failed, and James dribbled the ball to the frontcourt and made a three-pointer himself.

With a 12-6 run, the Heat narrowed the point difference to 6 points!

Popovich reached out and called a timeout.

"LeBron is doing what he said he would do, he's carrying the team on his shoulders."

Kenny Smith said.

"Tim is indeed getting old. If he were a few years younger, his presence on the court would greatly improve the Spurs' inside defense."

Barkley pointed out the key.

"Are you talking about the 2007 Finals?"

O'Neal said with a smile.

In 2007, when Duncan was still young, the Spurs directly swept James' Cavaliers 4-0.

"Hey, Shaq, you and LeBron were teammates!"

Barkley said loudly.

O'Neal couldn't help but laugh.

Indeed, being a commentator can easily hurt former teammates!

"Don't worry about LeBron's three-pointers, protect the restricted area, and defend Miller and Battier's outside shots well."

During the timeout, Popovich emphasized the tactics again.

Although James had been playing well in this stretch, if Miller's three-pointer hadn't gone in, the 9-point difference would have been acceptable for the Spurs.

After the timeout, Tang Tian replaced Leonard.

The Spurs ran a zip play in the frontcourt, and Tang Tian got a three-point opportunity by running around Splitter.

He showed great composure, and the crucial three-pointer went in cleanly.

The point difference returned to 9 points again.

Blair's mobility was slow, but his physical resistance was enough. James's drive inside was obviously not as advantageous as before.

James's layup after a physical confrontation didn't go in, and Splitter secured the defensive rebound.

However, turning around, Ginobili's step-back three-pointer also missed.

After a period of widening the gap and chasing points, the point difference on the court fluctuated around 10 points.

Duncan came back and continued to be strong inside, but Wade also found his touch.

At the end of the first half, the Spurs led the Heat 55-45 by 10 points.

Although after the first quarter, fans once thought the game was one-sided, the Heat's talent was still there.

And in the second half, after Duncan's stamina declined, the Heat gradually narrowed the score.

With one minute left before the end of the game, the Heat erased the 10-point deficit from the first half and tied the score at 97!

And because of the Heat's frequent attacks, Duncan had already accumulated 5 fouls.

"The Heat are playing very tenaciously. The Spurs are doing everything perfectly, except they can't control their age."

Kenny Smith said with emotion at the commentary booth at this time.

"Now is the time to decide the outcome."

Barkley was more focused on the situation on the court.

After playing for nearly four quarters and returning to the same starting line, the last minute would depend on who had the bigger heart.

The Heat had possession.

The emotions of the audience at the scene became extremely tense at this time.

In terms of tactics and teamwork, the Spurs were stronger than the Heat.

But in terms of superstar clutch ability, the Heat's Big Three were clearly more advantageous.

James forced his way to the basket in the frontcourt, and the Spurs quickly contracted.

James had a hard confrontation with Duncan.

"Beep!"

The referee at the side blew his whistle, indicating Duncan's defensive foul.

Duncan put his hands on his head, glanced at Crawford, and silently walked off the court.

This was his sixth personal foul.

Popovich was very excited on the sidelines, almost rushing to Crawford and roaring at him.

Budenholzer hurriedly pulled him back.

Splitter came on to replace Duncan, who was fouled out.

The fans at the scene applauded Duncan.

Duncan had already scored 30 points and 15 rebounds in this game.

It was truly unbelievable for a 35-year-old veteran to put up such numbers!

However, the applause didn't last long. Now they needed this victory more.

Duncan didn't sit down either, standing on the sidelines with a towel draped over his shoulders.

James had two free throw opportunities.

The boos at the scene were deafening.

"Clang!"

The first free throw was too long and didn't go in.

"Clang!"

The second free throw still bounced out!

James missed two stable free throws at a crucial moment!

Splitter grabbed the defensive rebound!

Popovich reached out and called a timeout.

Many fans reached out and patted their chests. As fans, they needed to have a big heart for this kind of game.

After the timeout, it was the Spurs' opportunity.

Parker held the ball outside the arc, signaling for the Ai Hammer play.

The Spurs ran their offensive plays, but the Heat were pressing very hard.

Ginobili, as the finisher of the play, was completely marked by Wade as soon as he received the ball.

With little time left on the shot clock, Ginobili forced his way to the basket.

The Heat contracted.

Just then, Tang Tian ran out of a pick and roll with Diaw, creating an open opportunity.

Ginobili passed the ball at the first opportunity, understanding each other perfectly.

Tang Tian faced James's shot.

There were only a dozen seconds left in the game at this time. This was an incredibly crucial shot.

This scene was somewhat familiar.

In the offseason pickup games and in the regular season games between the two teams, Tang Tian had made shots like this.

"Swish!"

A crisp sound.

The result was the same as the previous two times. Tang Tian once again hit a three-pointer over James!

100 to 97!

A clutch three-pointer!

The Spurs took a crucial 3-point lead!

The last 11 seconds!

Spoelstra reached out and called a timeout!

Ginobili slapped him on the butt, and Duncan patted him on the head, immediately greeting Tang Tian.

"The Godfather! The Godfather!"

The cheers of the Spurs fans echoed at the scene.

Tang Tian's three-pointer was definitely a superstar-level play!

"Phew!"

James took out his mouthguard as he walked off the court, looked up at the scoreboard, and took a long breath.

He had an indescribable feeling of mixed emotions at this moment.