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12th man to Cricket legend.
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***
On Saturday, May 27th, 2006, at American Airlines Arena, the game was forced to a halt again as Jason Williams and Raja Bell tumbled out of bounds while scrambling for a loose ball.
Plagued by tendinitis, Jason Williams's condition had been inconsistent throughout the season, but the Miami Heat had no one to replace him.
Watching their starting point guard limp painfully towards the bench, American Airlines Arena grew even noisier.
Raja Bell was also grimacing.
His right calf seemed to have some issues as well, as the Miami Heat were playing with increasing desperation in the final quarter.
With 8:01 remaining in the 4th quarter, after Wade missed a shot, Shaq stepped up, scoring 6 consecutive points to help the Miami Heat stay in the game.
Gasping for air as he returned to the bench, Shaq felt a touch of regret.
If Jason Williams's open three-pointer had gone in, they would have taken the lead.
Noticing the team doctor's slight shake of the head, Shaq's face showed disappointment, and he couldn't help but curse under his breath, not trusting a substitute in such a crucial moment.
Although he had recruited Payton, the Old Fish's condition was not good and he was not suitable for the current high-intensity game.
"Defend the next possession, keep double-teaming, move, hold on!"
Pat Riley, sitting in front of everyone, had already loosened his tie.
He couldn't imagine the post-game public opinion if they lost this game.
They had been fouled too much, and losing would bring endless ridicule.
Noticing Wade's bewildered expression, the slick-haired boss didn't care about his players' emotions, slapping the tactics board and shouting encouragement:
"There's no time to think too much. We're only down by 2 points. This is American Airlines Arena."
"Believe in yourselves, keep attacking, go put the ball in the basket!"
Looking at the nervous Champion Coach in front of him, Shaq felt a moment of daze, suddenly recalling his championships with the Lakers.
At that time, Lee on the opposing side had brought a still-unrefined Hill, Gasol in the paint was exceptionally raw, and Ron Artest would still be affected emotionally by foul calls.
Now he had the third-year Wade by his side, and the team also had no shortage of veterans.
Shaq, who had been silent recently, suddenly spoke up, staring at Wade and saying in a deep voice:
"Don't think so much, you know, we need you now."
The 34-year-old Shaq had lost some weight in the past two years, but he was still a big man.
If it weren't for his exceptional talent, he would have been exhausted after playing 35 minutes tonight.
His free throws accurately reflected Shaq's stamina.
He was no longer young, and in the final minutes, Shaq knew it would be difficult for him to attack efficiently.
Wade, who had come back to his senses, looked at his big brother's serious expression and could only nod.
Haslem, standing beside him, also stood up and clapped continuously to encourage his teammates:
"Let's go! One more basket and we can tie the score!"
At this point in the game, facing the New York Knicks' deep roster, the Miami Heat's only theoretical advantage was their desire for victory.
The assistant coach and Pat Riley both offered motivational speeches.
Tactics were secondary, as most possessions involved giving the ball to the core players.
At the ESPN commentary table, Hubie Brown noticed that Ron Artest, with 5 fouls, and Hill, who had already reached his scheduled playing time, still hadn't entered the game, and couldn't help but comment in surprise:
"What a bold move. To re-deploy Derek Fisher at this moment, it's clear that Coach DAntoni is full of confidence."
92:90, the New York Knicks were still leading at this time.
The Moustache stood on the sideline with his arms crossed, occasionally exchanging words with the sideline referee.
Although the smile had long left his face, Coach D'Antoni was still relatively calm.
Bouncing and moving, Old Fish, preparing to receive the ball on the baseline, looked at Payton behind him, twitched his mouth, and then, after receiving the ball, put his left hand on it and charged forward with his head down.
"Defense!"
Amidst the defensive cheers, Payton was exceptionally active, constantly sliding and providing body contact.
Protecting the ball with his side at the Logo, Fisher wiggled his backside and moved to the left wing.
At the same time, Lee, who had arrived directly under the basket, accelerated and popped out to the middle, pulled by Wade.
At the free-throw line, Diaw's simple screen briefly delayed Wade.
As Old Fish twisted and delivered a short pass, Lee successfully received the ball at the top of the arc.
The timeout seemed to have eased Wade's tension.
While strictly guarding Lee's right hand, he called Payton over for a double-team.
Without needing much prompting from his teammates, Payton followed the ball and ran to Lee's side.
With the two of them double-teaming early, Lee, who had put the ball on his right hand, immediately moved laterally to the right.
Lowering his center of gravity, as Lee leaned in and accelerated, Wade and Payton both shuffled backward and to the left.
After dribbling past the three-point line, Lee suddenly stopped short, quickly spun his back, switched to his left hand, and accelerated laterally again.
Payton nearly lost his defensive position and quickly pulled subtly.
When Wade tried to cooperate with his teammate to complete the encirclement again, Lee, who had gained half a step, made a short lateral pass.
On the left wing, Fisher was still unguarded.
After receiving the ball, he didn't adjust, ignoring Payton who was rushing to close out, and decisively shot!
"Oh!"
Amidst the exclamations of the home fans, the basketball, arcing high, ultimately swished through the net.
Fisher looked at Payton, who had landed beside him, pounded his chest and yelled, then squeezed past him to the baseline.
As he dribbled past half-court, seeing Old Fish pull up his shorts and display his defensive prowess, Payton angrily cursed:
"Damn it!"
Wade was never able to shake off Lee, and ultimately it was Shaq who created a receiving opportunity for him with a strong screen.
Slipping along the baseline from right to left, Wade received the ball near the left sideline, just as the delayed Lee caught up.
The opportunity for a catch-and-shoot vanished, and Wade ultimately chose to jab step again.
"Let's go Heat!"
Most of the Miami Heat fans in American Airlines Arena stood up and cheered loudly.
Wade noticed Lee intentionally giving up his right hand, so he simply put the ball down and accelerated for an up-the-middle drive.
Leaning into the defender, Wade lowered his center of gravity, took two large dribbles, immediately dribbled behind his back, and at the restricted area, switched to his left hand, attempting to continue his drive.
Stopping and starting abruptly, Wade, attempting a second acceleration, collided with Lee.
The two collided, Wade slowed down and leaned back slightly, then gathered his strength again, attempting to force his way to the rim.
After completing the screen, Shaq moved to the lower right of the basket.
Seeing Wade's forced attack, he quickly muscled his way under the basket, preparing to crash the offensive glass.
Near the left lower part of the basket, close to the paint, Wade suddenly executed a wide crossover step-back while moving, and his dance-like fakes finally shook off Lee.
The moment the ball returned to his right hand, Wade gathered it, and facing Lee's close-out, attempted a pump fake.
Lee, who had rushed back to defend, seemed prepared.
Just as Wade raised the ball to his chest, Lee quickly swiped at the ball with his right hand, knocking it away.
This offensive-defensive play happened right in front of the baseline referee.
There was no whistle, and American Airlines Arena suddenly fell silent.
Wade, who immediately tried to steal the ball back, couldn't recover it.
Hearing the jeers from the New York Knicks' bench, he couldn't hold back and slapped his thigh in frustration.
"It seems the Conference Finals are your limit!"
Leaning into his defender, Lee looked relaxed, even having the presence of mind to taunt the exasperated Wade beside him.
After yelling "Shut up," Wade, caught off guard, stumbled slightly from Lee's sudden stop and crossover dribble.
"Defense!"
The defensive cheers had greatly diminished.
Watching Lee accelerate to the right wing, Pat Riley on the sideline quickly shouted a reminder to Shaq, who was following the Defense.
Just as Gasol reached the three-point line, Lee suddenly threw the ball directly to his teammate.
After making the pass, he faked to the right-front, then suddenly cut back laterally.
The moment Wade was shaken off, Gasol made a low pass, then twisted and accelerated down, running towards the right restricted area.
Wade, realizing something was wrong, desperately slid to chase, and Shaq completely abandoned his man-to-man Defense, rushing directly at Lee.
However, the receiving position was still some distance from the three-point line.
Although the big man jumped up to block with all his might, he could only make a symbolic Defense, watching Lee catch and shoot the ball.
"Bang!"
"Incredible range from Clay Lee, hitting from 28 feet!"
The exaggerated shooting distance made Mike Breen shout at the top of his lungs, while the Miami Heat fans in the front row stared blankly at Lee, who was making a gun gesture with his right hand.
How could that go in?
Hubie Brown almost let out a wry smile.
This exaggerated shooting completely changed the Miami Heat's Defense.
He really couldn't think of how to counter it, and could only continue to praise:
"It seems Clay Lee has found his touch again. That was truly a confident shot."
98:90. Pat Riley called another timeout.
The current point difference was already despair-inducing.
Wade, back on the bench, still seemed dazed, his expression still bewildered.
Shaq had fallen silent again.
No matter how many free throws he made, it wouldn't be enough to catch up.
"Move, attack the basket! Don't hesitate, we have enough time!"
At this moment, Pat Riley wished he could go on court and play himself, loudly reminding his players not to forget their advantage tonight.
After a strong motivational speech, the Miami Heat returned to the court and attacked again.
Wade popped out to the middle, then put the ball down with his right hand and drove with a step-through.
Executing a spin move in the paint, Wade, who had spun to the basket, almost ran into Gasol, and as Lee stripped the ball again, the referee's whistle blew.
The Moustache on the sideline continued to complain to the referee.
Even though he hadn't fouled out, the referee gave Wade two more free throws.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Shaq quickly called everyone for a quick huddle.
By the time Wade stepped to the free-throw line, cheers once again filled American Airlines Arena.
To the fans' regret, Wade missed his second free throw, and the rebound was secured by Gasol.
They were still down by 7 points.
"Defense!"
Amidst the defensive cheers echoing through American Airlines Arena, Payton vigorously led the Defense on Fisher, who simply waddled his way past half-court with his backside sticking out.
Near the right baseline, Lee swatted away the arm on him, accelerating from right to left along the baseline.
Wade, who was diligently chasing, was briefly delayed by Gasol but didn't lose his defensive position.
Receiving the pass near the left sideline, facing the tight Defense of Wade, Lee first held the ball behind his head, observed that there was no help Defense, then quickly swept the ball from left to right, put it down with his right hand, and drove hard to the basket.
Almost squeezed past again with one step, Wade gritted his teeth and slid.
The moment he approached the paint, facing Shaq who had come over to help defend under the basket, Lee suddenly executed a spin move.
He had intended to pass the ball to Gasol under the basket, but found that Haslem, guarding the right corner, had already rotated to help inside.
Under a multi-person double-team, Lee, close to the basket, extended his right arm after completing the spin, then powerfully flung the ball, which flew directly to the right corner.
After receiving the ball, Diaw noticed Lee accelerating and moving, and instead of shooting, he dribbled forward two steps with his left hand.
Haslem tried to continue to defend, but he crashed into Diaw, who had just completed a between-the-legs pass.
When Lee easily received the ball in the right corner, some of the Miami Heat's atmosphere group behind him pointed at the sideline and yelled, while others had already started covering their faces.
Watching Lee calmly jump and shoot, the American Airlines Arena became quiet for a moment, with only Mike Breen's excited shouts from the commentary booth:
"Clay Lee! God!"
"He hits another three!"
101:91. As the basketball swished through the net, D'Antoni on the sidelines raised his arms, and the New York Knicks bench erupted in cheers.
Wade, who was standing under the basket, was completely stunned.
He had made another mistake, and the point difference had reached double digits.
O'Neal patted his teammate's shoulder twice, and Payton, who was ready to receive the ball, also clapped continuously, trying to encourage his teammates, but Fisher, who squeezed beside him, took the opportunity to make a sarcastic remark:
"Ball don't lie!"
Looking at Old Fish shaking his head gloatingly, Payton almost elbowed him directly.
The two glared at each other, and after the inbound pass, the Miami Heat involuntarily started to speed up.
The uniform cheers disappeared again, and many Miami fans' minds recalled past memories.
They seemed to have been losing in the playoffs all along.
Wade, starting from under the basket, used O'Neal's screen near the left baseline to pop out again to the left wing.
Payton's pass was timely.
After receiving the ball, Wade seemed to think he had shaken off the Defense.
Facing Lee's shifting feet, he faked right and drove left, attempting a crossover breakthrough.
As Wade released the ball with his left hand, Lee suddenly increased his stride, accelerated, and burst out, successfully predicting his opponent's offensive choice, and once again poked the ball away with his right hand.
Wade reacted quickly, but with his physical stamina declining, he couldn't recover possession.
In the struggle, Lee still picked up the ball near the right sideline.
Exclamations rose again.
Pat Riley roared, reminding Wade to foul, but the two still entangled and rushed past half-court.
Near the right wing, Lee made a large behind-the-back move to switch the ball to his left hand.
While moving, Wade barely twisted his body, continuing to grit his teeth and chase defensively.
Seemingly wanting to make up for his mistake, Wade never fouled.
Instead, he waited until both of them rushed into the paint, seized the opportunity, and leaped high, attempting to block!
Directly in front of the basket, Lee fully exerted himself and jumped with both feet.
As he flew into the air, he noticed Wade in front of him had already extended his right arm, so he simply grabbed the ball with both hands and raised it behind his head.
Their bodies collided in the air.
A powerful force came from in front, and Wade's eyes widened, still holding his right arm high.
Watching Lee form a reverse "C" shape, slamming the ball down with both hands, the Miami Heat fans who stood up behind the basket to watch the ball instinctively covered their mouths.
"OH--!"
The two commentators exclaimed.
The moment the ball went in, the basket exploded.
Wade, who was in the air with his right arm extended and starting to descend, was completely knocked sideways off the baseline.
The moment he slapped the floor, Wade's mind went blank, and then he slid all the way to the camera beside the basket.
On the Miami Heat bench, the atmosphere group watched Lee, who was hanging from the rim to release force, and everyone involuntarily covered their heads.
The American Airlines Arena became quiet again.
When Clay Lee landed on the floor, Head Coach Joe Crawford noticed the basket was crooked and was stunned for a moment.
The other two referees gathered around Wade.
Watching the Miami Heat staff rush onto the court, Lee instinctively scratched his head, pulling at the corners of his mouth somewhat awkwardly.
Before he could check on his opponent, the stretcher had already entered the court.
"God, Wade seems to have passed out!"
Mike Breen exclaimed in an incredulous tone, and Hubie Brown beside him also felt his scalp tingle.
Such a scene was truly rare:
"Unbelievable, how great is Clay Lee's impact? The game has to be suspended, and the staff needs to replace the basket."
The American Airlines Arena regained its noisy atmosphere.
Watching Wade, who was unconscious and being carried off the court, applause gradually rose in the arena, followed by huge boos that echoed throughout the American Airlines Arena.
"Guys, this isn't the result I wanted!"
Noticing O'Neal and a few others looking at him as if he were an alien, Lee spread his hands helplessly and turned to walk towards the bench.
Ron Artest showed no sympathy for his opponent.
Looking at the removed basket, he excitedly said to Lee, who had returned to his seat:
"How did you do that? It's crazy! I swear, no one will risk blocking Lee's dunks anymore!"
Hill was also dumbfounded.
Fortunately, the current backboards had been upgraded.
He suspected Lee could shatter the backboard.
This was the first time he had seen such a situation with a guard:
"It seems there's no suspense in the series. If it's a concussion, Wade won't be able to return to the team the day after tomorrow."
Hearing Hill's words, everyone's faces lit up with joy.
Division champions, they had made it to the NBA Finals again!
D'Antoni let out a long sigh of relief.
A four-peat was beckoning him.
Looking at Lee hydrating, D'Antoni's desire to cling to his leg grew stronger.
He just loved to win by lying down!
The staff was still replacing the basket.
The Miami Heat bench was exceptionally quiet.
Pat Riley said nothing, watching the scoreboard behind the basket with his arms crossed.
103:91, the point difference was still within reach, but the Miami Heat lacked their offensive core.
O'Neal and Payton silently drank their beverages.
Only Haslem was still standing in front of everyone, constantly clapping and continuing to loudly encourage them:
"We still have a chance, Shaq is still here, don't give up, we are a family!"
"..."
No one responded.
Only Jason Williams stood up, indicating he wanted to return to the court.
After the 4th quarter resumed, the atmosphere in the American Airlines Arena was subdued.
The New York Knicks' starting lineup returned, and seeing O'Neal struggling to receive the ball, some fans quietly left.
After an in-and-out play, Payton's open jump shot from the left wing missed, and the long rebound was picked up by Lee at the free-throw line.
Boos once again echoed throughout the American Airlines Arena.
Looking at Payton pulling him in front, Lee, after dribbling past half-court, immediately passed the ball to Gasol in the right block.
When his teammate received the ball, Lee first faked horizontally, moving Payton, then immediately used his feet to accelerate and cut into the middle.
Gasol, with his back to the basket, bent down and delivered a bounce pass.
Payton, who had been shaken off by more than half a step, helplessly watched Lee soar into the air in the paint.
Haslem, who had rotated to the basket for help Defense, didn't act as tough as he had spoken on the bench.
He instinctively stopped, watching Lee grab the ball with his right hand and windmill dunk!
"Boom!"
The exploding basket seemed to remind everyone of the force of this dunk.
Lee calmly glanced at Haslem and Payton.
The two said nothing, watching the New York Knicks celebrate happily.
When O'Neal again drew a foul on Gasol and stepped to the free-throw line, the Miami Heat fans in the arena were silent, just as they had expected, the big man again made only one of two free throws.
105:92, the point difference was still widening.
In the slightly quiet American Airlines Arena, Jason Williams double-teamed early.
As Lee passed the ball to Hill on the right wing, O'Neal under the basket gave up on rotating for help Defense, watching the open jump shot go in.
After the Miami Heat made an in-and-out play and passed the ball continuously on the perimeter, Antoine Walker was directly stolen by Ron Artest.
Pat Riley on the sidelines walked directly to the bench.
In a 1-on-0 fast break, noticing no one chasing him from behind, Ron Artest rushed faster and faster, grabbing the ball with his right hand for a gliding dunk, scoring another 2 points.
Although the New York Knicks' Defense intensity dropped sharply in the last few minutes, and the Miami Heat also started scoring, more and more fans quietly left the American Airlines Arena.
With 58.6 seconds left in the game, Pat Riley used his last timeout, announcing his surrender.
At this time, in the American Airlines Arena, the screaming seats in the far back were already empty.
As game time elapsed, the final buzzer sounded, and the final score was fixed at 115:100.
The New York Knicks secured match point, leading the series 3:0 against their opponent.
"Boo!"
Amidst scattered boos, O'Neal quickly walked towards the player tunnel, followed closely by Payton.
All the Miami Heat players had their heads down.
49 free throws, and they ultimately lost by 15 points.
They couldn't accept such a result.
Pat Riley also didn't shake hands with Mike D'Antoni.
The slick-haired boss even ignored the staff's calls and walked back to the locker room expressionlessly.
According to the planned schedule, the core players of the home team should be interviewed at this time.
Now that the Miami Heat players had left, the staff could only jog to catch up with Lee.
Played 39 minutes, 14 of 24 from the field, 7 of 13 from three-point range, 8 of 10 from the free-throw line, 43 points, 7 rebounds, 14 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers;
Having already seen the statistics, Scott smiled and congratulated Lee again:
"Congratulations to the New York Knicks for getting the match point, Lee. Let's talk about your Defense in the 4th quarter. Wade was 1 for 6 before leaving the court, which determined the game's outcome."
Lee wiped his sweat and did not deny the other party's statement, explaining with a smile:
"This is thanks to my teammates. Everyone took turns defending Wade. I just did what I was supposed to do in the last quarter."
It was difficult to summarize this game.
Losing 8 against 5, Scott didn't want to talk much.
After some mutual compliments, he quickly ended the interview.
Watching the Miami fans in the American Airlines Arena almost all leave, the ESPN staff looked at each other speechless.
These fans looked like fair-weather fans.
No one from the Miami Heat attended the post-game press conference, which infuriated the NBA.
O'Neal was fined $15,000 for smashing the Madison Square Garden visiting team locker room.
Last night, for violating media interview rules, the NBA issued another $25,000 fine to the Miami Heat.
On Sunday, the 28th, no one was discussing last night's Game 3.
Losing by 15 points with 49 free throws, commentators didn't say it aloud, but they all knew the Miami Heat had been nailed to the pillar of shame.
No reporters who liked to chase hot topics went to interview the New York Knicks, fearing that they might accidentally hear something unfavorable to the NBA's development.
This made Lee, who was in the hotel preparing to watch the show, a little disappointed.
Wade, who was in the hospital last night, didn't show a weak side in front of his wife, but in the morning, listening to the news on the radio, he eventually curled up in his quilt and silently shed tears:
"It shouldn't be like this!"
.....
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