[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-golden-age-of-basketball":3,"chapter-the-golden-age-of-basketball-the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1823":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Golden Age of Basketball",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1445240,1896,"Chapter 1823 68: 1 Second_4","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1823",1823,"\u003Cp>The score was maintained like this, with the Trail Blazers unable to launch an offensive surge because they couldn't completely shut down the Celtics on defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Celtics were in good form and had made ample preparations before the game, facing the suddenly intensifying double-team defense from the Trail Blazers with more composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a timeout by Beelman, the Celtics even executed a Princeton Offense tactic, with Ilgauskas coordinating from a high position, and Fox and Nash cutting into the basket continuously to create scoring opportunities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One direct layup was successful, and Nash circled out and then made a pass to the baseline, Duncan received the ball for a mid-range jump shot and scored—it was rare for Duncan to shoot from the baseline, but this time it went in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This showed that the Celtics players were truly in form, playing better and smoother, gaining more confidence. For them, this might be a transformative game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fans on-site grew increasingly anxious, but no matter how dire the situation, none of them left early—the Trail Blazers fans would never leave prematurely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The TV cameras kept focusing on Gan Guoyang, who was performing moderately in the fourth quarter, with poor shooting touch, constantly trying various ways to keep the score close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others were also struggling with their shooting, with Kobe and Brellock starting to miss shots, and the previously accurate outside shooters now seeing a plummeting shooting percentage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's just how game status goes, each game brings new problems and issues. The main reason, of course, was Gan Guoyang's foul trouble disrupting the team's offensive and defensive plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When one link goes wrong, everything following goes wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With 2 minutes left, the Celtics were leading 91-83, still ahead of the Trail Blazers by 8 points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tim Duncan received the ball in the low post, turned around for a strong move against Gan Guoyang, seeking physical contact, and twisted for the shot!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ball didn't go in, but Steve Javie's whistle blew again! This time calling a defensive foul on Gan Guoyang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The call wasn't unreasonable, as the tired Gan Guoyang was indeed struggling on defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They say the fist fears youth, Duncan at 23 versus Gan Guoyang at 36, by the fourth game and the fourth quarter, Duncan had gained some advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang's issue wasn't stamina, but his rhythm being completely off, spending the whole fourth quarter searching for his game feel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like this game was going to be lost, but losing wasn't much, he'd just be mocked by Beelman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bragging had its limits; ultimately, it was in the Trail Blazers' hands during the pivotal battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, such self-consolation failed to convince Gan Guoyang himself; he glanced at the timer, still 1 minute and 48 seconds left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duncan made both free throws, 93-83, and the Celtics widened the gap to 10 points; it seemed the Trail Blazers were done for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many fans inside and outside the stadium held their heads, trying to accept the defeat, but more were praying for a miracle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rick Carlisle called a timeout to redo the setup, but there wasn't much left to arrange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kobe stepped up, saying, \"Give me the ball, I'll solve the problem!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang tossed him a towel to shut him up; it was still premature for him to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone looked at Gan Guoyang; he already had 5 fouls, teetering on the brink of being fouled out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite such unfavorable conditions tonight, he still managed 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to win, it wasn't nearly enough, and 20 points for Gan Guoyang was a completely unsatisfactory performance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone waited for Gan Guoyang's words, including Rick Carlisle, pondering whether to continue fighting for the 10-point deficit in a minute, or to surrender and prepare for the pivotal battle?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang remained silent for a moment, then said, \"I need your help; the ball will be in my hands, but I need everyone's help. Strategy, screens, rebounds, we must unite. We aim to win. We won't give up; giving up ends the game early.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using calm words, Gan Guoyang stated the above, and for the Trail Blazers players, there wasn't a need for grandiose words to stir them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as the leader was willing to fight, willing to try, of course, they would follow without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone's state tonight was poor, many veterans enduring pain and discomfort to keep going.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sabonis's knee was already heating up, even with some fluid seeping through the bandages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Lin, Brellock, AC Green felt exhausted all over; every joint ached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Terry Porter, the finals were torture; defensively against Nash, he felt like a wooden stalk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ankle surely was swelling, most of them had played up to 100 games, enduring another season's torment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The past ten-plus seasons, every year accumulating torment, with the series going further, these torments would emerge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Persisting, only persistence; no other methods for relief. The young Celtics would experience it someday, but not yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Timeout ended, players from both sides re-entered the court, the Celtics didn't relax their vigilance; Beelman repeatedly reminded, do not make mistakes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beelman felt both excited and nervous inside; he knew they had hope in this game, they could really win, and if they brought the series back to Boston, it would be great.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But opposite them was Ah Gan; he repeatedly told himself, even if it's Ah Gan, he wouldn't win every game, he wasn't a god, just not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Game resumed, Gan Guoyang passed the sideline ball, the Trail Blazers ran a classic cut-to-the-basket play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang passed the ball to the low post, received the ball from Sabonis, then spun around, double-teamed, immediately passed to Kobe cutting to the basket.\u003C\u002Fp>",948,"2026-06-06T01:42:07.838Z",1,"novelbin.me","25361277e1d6548cd463a9921d3fd2bef0248daa9b666f38d31f6241604de616","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1824","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1822",2033,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-golden-age-of-basketball-cover.jpg"]