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***
On Thursday, June 8, 2006, the NBA Finals schedule was slightly adjusted to accommodate ABC's broadcast.
There was only a little over one day of rest between G1 and G2, with G3 scheduled for Sunday, giving the Dallas Mavericks, returning to their home American Airlines Center, more time to rest.
Due to the overwhelming nature of Game 1, the critics who had previously boasted about the Dallas Mavericks' roster depth suffered from amnesia and remained silent on the matter.
The good news was that viewership for this year's NBA Finals rebounded compared to last year's, with G1 attracting over 13 million viewers nationwide.
The bad news was that the garbage time still hurt the broadcast.
Casual fans seemed more interested in Lee's individual performance, and the Eastern Conference Finals dunk that knocked out Wade brought in a lot of onlookers.
As a veteran of the "Anti-Lee Alliance," Philadelphia had boasted before the game that the Dallas Mavericks were the future model for the 76ers.
But after the loss, this morning's column article changed to — "How Did They Win the Division Title?"
Column articles from sports media in New Jersey and Boston, right next to New York, expressed almost the same sentiment, with nearly all columnists unanimously agreeing that the Dallas Mavericks' perimeter Defense was ridiculously poor.
Apart from the Lakers, who seemed strong in previous years, the New York Knicks' NBA Finals opponents in recent years have become increasingly weak, leading many Eastern Conference All-Star players to a misconception:
"I can do it too!"
Recently, Paul Pierce and Danny Ainge discussed team building in an interview with the Boston Globe.
Pierce believed the team's first-round pick should be traded for an All-Star:
"A team must have multiple All-Star players to defeat the New York Knicks! Teams like the Dallas Mavericks have no chance at all."
"I don't want to lie, to pursue a championship, I really need more help. Most teams in the Western Conference don't know what we've been through these years."
"Clumsy big men are no longer suitable for the current game. I started imitating Clay Lee's playing style a long time ago, and my strength is underestimated!"
What Paul Pierce said was the truth.
His offense primarily consisted of three-pointers and free throws, and he also preferred to finish attacks in the paint, with fewer and fewer mid-range isolations.
Although he missed the All-Star selections in recent years, Pierce's stats were actually quite good, which was also why Danny Ainge wanted to find him help.
76ers General Manager Billy King was currently busy answering offers, as Chairman Ed Snider had confirmed the team's rebuilding, and Allen Iverson was officially on the trade block.
In an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer, Billy King, who also watched NBA Finals G1, shared his thoughts:
"We need more talented players around 2 meters tall. This is what a championship team should do."
"Jason Terry is excellent, but he can't compare to Allen Iverson. I promise Philadelphia fans that we will not repeat the same mistakes."
"The Dallas Mavericks might dominate the Western Conference, but they won't win a championship."
Although Jason Terry, who was in a contract year, had a premonition of bad things after the game, he didn't expect to be labeled "unreliable" after more than a day of fermentation.
If the subsequent games were still poor, the Dallas Mavericks would certainly try to lower his price during the offseason contract renewal.
When he arrived at the Madison Square Garden early for warm-ups that evening, Jason Terry had completely lost his high spirits.
Making it to the NBA Finals would affect his contract.
The more he thought about it, the more he felt it was a loss.
Dirk Nowitzki was also not feeling well.
He almost had insomnia last night, and the critics' criticisms of him were growing.
Compared to last year's San Antonio Spurs, although Duncan was frequently targeted on Defense, Lee also had a tough time.
But against the Dallas Mavericks, Lee drove to the basket and dunked multiple times in one game.
Lisa Salters, as a frontline reporter for the NBA Finals, was naturally aware of the current public opinion, but when interviewing Dirk Nowitzki, she still chose to rub salt in the wound:
"Dirk, what adjustments will the Dallas Mavericks make on Defense for tonight's game?"
The black female reporter had a good figure, with a tight white low-cut undershirt beneath her black formal wear.
Dirk Nowitzki was not in the mood to appreciate the scenery beside him, and he frowned as he simply replied:
"We watched the tape. We need more communication during the game."
"We need to maintain trust on both offense and Defense. Everyone is ready. We will play more aggressively tonight."
Making it to the NBA Finals, but his reputation was suffering, Dirk Nowitzki had a hard time expressing his feelings.
He also didn't want to be labeled a "softie."
At 8:30 PM that evening, half an hour before the game, the ABC studio was still discussing Dirk Nowitzki's Defense, while Scott interviewed Clay Lee, who was in a practice uniform, on the sidelines.
Although his "15-point difference" remark last night was criticized and refuted by the Dallas sports media, most critics actually accepted that view.
With "amnesia" cured, as the NBA Finals progressed, "Lee-mania" returned to normal.
The big mouths would only reappear when the new season began.
Madison Square Garden was still packed, with huge Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy models erected on both sides of the court.
New York fans, waving orange handkerchiefs, began celebrating the victory prematurely.
"Lee, we noticed that Coach D'Antoni made adjustments again tonight. This is the first time the New York Knicks have changed their lineup after a win."
Hearing Scott talk about the starting lineup, a cheerful Lee nodded in affirmation, then simply explained:
"Erick Dampier performed very well in G1, but our rebounding didn't meet expectations. Putting a big man in tonight is to protect the rebounds."
"I will initiate more pick-and-rolls during the game, which can help everyone get into game rhythm earlier."
After watching the tape, the coaching staff believed that Erick Dampier was too slow and his self-initiated offense was worse than planned.
Apart from rebounding, this big man was not a concern.
When Scott heard Lee mention pick-and-rolls, he understood that this was an adjustment targeting Dirk Nowitzki.
Thinking of the German's reputation these past two days, he felt some sympathy for the opponent.
When introducing the visiting team's players, Dirk Nowitzki enthusiastically high-fived, and everyone huddled together.
Jason Terry, with a serious expression, waved his arms and proactively said:
"We need to fight! Believe in each other, and get into game rhythm immediately after the tip-off!"
Josh Howard, wearing a blue headband, let out a yell, and soon the Dallas Mavericks players all shouted in unison, attempting to boost their morale.
When the home team's players entered the Madison Square Garden, the roaring crowd made Avery Johnson's face look a bit grim.
After watching the tape, he also didn't know how to make effective adjustments.
Silver Fox Harris was equally at a loss.
The coaching staff's suggestion was to double-team.
Seeing every player entering the game with a smile, and then noticing Coach D'Antoni calmly sitting on the bench after the lights came on, Avery Johnson felt a sudden surge of annoyance:
"Lucky guy."
At the ABC commentary booth, after Mike Breen introduced the Dallas Mavericks' lineup, he could only sigh:
"Stackhouse didn't enter the starting lineup, continuing the same lineup as the last game. The Dallas Mavericks' primary task tonight is to play good Defense."
Hubie Brown also frowned slightly.
He thought the Dallas Mavericks, fighting for their lives, would go with one big and four small players, moving Dirk Nowitzki to the center position, but Avery Johnson remained conservative:
"Perhaps the New York Knicks' proactive lineup change won't achieve the desired effect. If that happens, the Dallas Mavericks must seize the opportunity."
"The first quarter is very important. The Dallas Mavericks must avoid a repeat of what happened in the last game."
The veteran coach no longer mentioned roster depth.
The Dallas Mavericks indeed had many players, but the players on the court couldn't perform at the expected level.
The most typical example was the Rookie Harris, who picked up three fouls in less than 6 minutes in G1.
Besides his lack of game experience, the fundamental reason was insufficient physicality, forcing him to resort to pulling and grabbing.
Michael Finley was also warming up during the final preparations.
He had just greeted an old friend, but Dirk Nowitzki was in a bad mood and didn't say much to him.
As the game was about to begin, Finley, back on the bench, showed no expression on his dark face, but he still felt sorry for his friend.
In his opinion, the Dallas Mavericks had no chance at all.
As players from both sides came to the center circle, Hill still amicably bumped fists with each opponent.
Ron Artest began to glare at Josh Howard again, ignoring the nearby referee, and loudly exclaimed:
"I'll be watching you. Remember to pray to God! Otherwise, you won't score 1 point."
Erick Dampier, preparing for the tip-off, sensed Gadzuric's eagerness on the opposite side and couldn't help but glare at this nameless grunt in the hype group.
"Let's go New York Knicks!"
The New York fans, standing to watch the game, shouted loudly with the DJ.
They didn't believe their opponents could adjust in just over a day, and tonight was destined to be a victory.
Gasol was squeezed next to Dirk Nowitzki.
He could also sense the opponent's anxiousness.
The New York fans holding "Softie" signs were affecting the opponent's mood.
At 9:00 PM sharp, as the referee tossed the basketball, Gadzuric once again tipped the ball to his half before Erick Dampier.
Lee, who had been waiting for the ball in the backcourt, didn't immediately attack but instead observed the defensive matchups for tonight.
To his surprise, the Dallas Mavericks' adjustments were very limited.
In the distant future, Adrian Griffin would become an NBA Head Coach, but for now, he was just a role player.
To reduce the consumption of core players, Adrian Griffin guarded Lee at the start of the game.
Watching his opponent pull up his shorts to encourage himself, Lee simply beckoned at the Logo, and both New York Knicks big men began to move up.
Amidst the cheers echoing through the Madison Square Garden, Dirk Nowitzki was a bit nervous.
Watching Lee, who was holding the ball in his left hand after a double screen, accelerate horizontally, he quickly slid to delay.
On the left wing, Dirk Nowitzki had just moved his feet close to the three-point line.
Adrian Griffin, having gone around the screen, was chasing hard from behind.
Under the double-team, Lee suddenly drove forward with the ball.
The basketball instantly went between Dirk Nowitzki's legs.
Not giving the opponent a chance to double-team and close in, Lee exerted force with his feet and directly squeezed past the opponent's side.
"Oh!"
The fans in the Arena gasped in surprise, but Dirk Nowitzki had no reaction, watching Lee break through past his side.
Adrian Griffin still wanted to continue chasing, but while he was adjusting his center of gravity, Clay Lee, near the paint, pulled up for a running jump shot, throwing the ball with his right hand, and the basketball swished through the net.
The core player being broken through at the start made Avery Johnson frown andyell instructions from the sidelines, repeatedly signaling his players to stay calm.
"Defense!"
Hearing the defensive cheers, Jason Terry, who received the ball on the baseline, helplessly realized that Lee was still relentlessly leading the Defense against him, regardless of his stamina.
To be able to assist teammates at any time, Adrian Griffin and Josh Howard did not mindlessly rush past half-court.
They both began to control their distance from their teammates.
The pace of the advance was affected.
Jason Terry crossed the half-court line almost at the 8-second mark.
Erick Dampier set an off-ball screen below the right side of the basket, and Dirk Nowitzki moved from left to right along the baseline.
Using the screen, he briefly shook off his defender and successfully received the ball near the right block.
The disturbed pass was still a beat too slow.
Pau Gasol, chasing on Defense, had already guarded his side.
Dirk Nowitzki faked, then immediately put the ball down with his left hand, leaned into the defender, and drove straight to the basket with the ball in his left hand.
Gasol slid along, and both squeezed into the paint directly in front of the basket almost simultaneously.
Dirk Nowitzki, interfered by the long arms, ultimately chose to dish the ball to Josh Howard in the left corner.
"Oh!"
The New York fans in the Madison Square Garden sighed.
Ron Artest almost completed a steal, but couldn't control the ball, and it flew out of bounds.
Dirk Nowitzki quickly raised his hand to signal it was his fault, adjusted his breathing, and tried to ignore the noise around him.
When he inbounded the ball, he received it again at the top of the arc.
All the Dallas Mavericks players spread out.
Lee followed Terry to the vicinity of the right corner, and seizing this opportunity, he loudly called out to Gadzuric near the basket to pay attention to help Defense.
Facing Gasol's Defense, Dirk Nowitzki completed a sweep from left to right, put the ball down with his right hand, and drove through.
Taking large strides, he squeezed to the free-throw line.
Observing the movement under the basket, Dirk Nowitzki immediately stopped short, then leaned into the defender, quickly turned, gathered the ball, and faked again.
Being prepared, Gasol only raised his right arm and couldn't completely create shooting space, but Dirk Nowitzki still shot a fadeaway jump shot that hit the rim.
"Perhaps Dirk Nowitzki should start from the low post. This face-up offense isn't a good offensive option."
Seeing Hill grab the rebound in the left block, Hubie Brown sighed.
Noticing that Avery Johnson was still applauding, Mike Breen couldn't help but quip:
"Perhaps this is the Dallas Mavericks' game plan. Jason Terry must help his teammates at this point."
The Dallas Mavericks' offense was simple and direct.
When the New York Knicks attacked again, Lee passed the ball early, giving the opponent no chance to double-team him prematurely.
With a 1-3-1 alignment, Dirk Nowitzki clearly knew that Gasol at the top of the arc would move to complete a handoff, and he immediately called out loudly to Adrian Griffin again.
Perhaps due to being overly nervous, when Lee' feinted to the left and suddenly accelerated for a back-cut, Adrian Griffin instantly lost his defensive position.
It wasn't a handoff.
Lee, having shaken off his defender, rushed from Gasol's side towards the basket.
By the time Dirk Nowitzki realized something was wrong, Gasol had already delivered a bounce pass.
He could clearly feel the basketball pass by his left side, and Dirk Nowitzki, attempting to steal the ball, swiped at thin air.
"Oh!"
Cheers once again echoed through the Madison Square Garden.
Erick Dampier under the basket quickly helped defend into the paint.
Clay Lee, who received the ball, only dribbled once before smoothly tossing the ball towards the upper left of the basket.
Too late to turn and recover on Defense, Erick Dampier could only watch as Gadzuric behind him jumped to catch the ball and powerfully dunked it with both hands!
The basket rattled loudly.
Gadzuric, having completed the dunk, shouted excitedly.
Such an easy opportunity made him feel like he was back in practice...
A simple UCLA cut, and the Dallas Mavericks' Defense collapsed.
This made Avery Johnson yell repeatedly from the sidelines, and the Coach of the Year's face showed an anxious expression.
Terry, still being led on Defense, called for Erick Dampier to screen at the top of the arc.
He briefly shook off his defender, but Terry didn't choose to pull up for a jump shot from the three-point line.
Instead, he continued to drive with the ball in his left hand.
As Gadzuric retreated, Lee quickly chased him down.
Jason Terry didn't pass the ball to his cutting teammate, but instead drove to the basket and started circling.
Erick Dampier raised his hand in frustration.
Unable to find an opportunity, Terry eventually passed the ball to Josh Howard in the right corner.
Receiving the ball and facing Ron Artest's Defense, Josh Howard put the ball down with his right hand and drove hard along the baseline to the basket.
Near the lower right side of the rim, he tried to hop-step to create space, but Ron Artest remained unmoving, jumping up in time to interfere with Josh Howard's bank shot.
Dirk Nowitzki tried to squeeze into the paint from the left wing to crash the boards, but Gasol constantly blocked him, and Erick Dampier in the paint was also held behind by Gadzuric.
Ultimately, the rebound was snatched by Ron Artest on his second jump.
Josh Howard's immediate attempt to steal the ball back was unsuccessful, and he clapped his hands in frustration as he retreated on Defense.
"Let's go New York Knicks!"
The New York Knicks established dominance from the start, which further excited the New York fans, whose cheers came in waves.
When Ron Artest passed the ball back to Lee, he even had time to high-five fans in the front row.
Lee didn't rush to advance the ball, but instead signaled to run the same play again.
A frustrated Dirk Nowitzki watched Gasol try to receive the ball with his back to the basket at the top of the arc, constantly pulling at him while defending from behind.
At this moment, Hill actively called for the ball on the right wing.
Clay Lee passed the ball early again, and Gasol then ran to Hill's side to set a screen.
Jason Terry tried to squeeze through, but Gasol's screen quality was excellent this time, allowing Hill, who put the ball down with his left hand, to easily shake off his defender.
Terry continued to chase him, while Dirk Nowitzki, standing on the three-point line on the right wing, chose to drop back on Defense.
Hill, who easily drove to the free-throw line, passed the ball again.
Splitting off to the right block, Gasol, who received the ball, faked once, deceiving Dirk Nowitzki's center of gravity, then put the ball down with his right hand and drove hard to the basket.
Dirk Nowitzki, who had lost his defensive position, angrily pulled at him, but the long-striding Gasol had already driven to the lower right side of the rim, and finally, contorting his body, scored with a bank shot.
"Dirk Nowitzki is being targeted. Since the start, the New York Knicks have been constantly attacking him, which is definitely not good news for the Dallas Mavericks."
Watching Gasol celebrate with a fist pump, Mike Breen on the commentary desk sounded a bit gleeful.
A star player being targeted on a stage like the NBA Finals would likely lead to increasingly negative public opinion.
The atmosphere at Madison Square Garden grew even more fervent.
Watching Pau Gasol make the free throw, Hubie Brown could only say tactfully:
"Now the Dallas Mavericks should focus more on offense. They must respond quickly."
Dirk Nowitzki, sensing the opponent's provocation, was furious.
After this baseline cross-screen, he immediately started calling for the ball with his back to the basket near the left baseline.
Jason Terry also passed the ball early.
On the left wing, Adrian Griffin received the ball and immediately tossed it to his leader.
As the opponent passed the ball, Hill ollowed the ball to help defend the basket.
As soon as Dirk Nowitzki put the ball down with his right hand, facing a double-team, he had to pick up the ball, scramble, and then pass it back out to the perimeter through the gaps between players.
On the left wing, at the three-point line, Adrian Griffin received the ball unguarded.
He hesitated for a moment, then shot a three-pointer that clanked off the rim.
Watching Lee pick up the long rebound near the free-throw line, another burst of laughter erupted in the Madison Square Garden.
The opponent was performing worse than expected.
Jason Terry committed a foul, timely stopping the New York Knicks' fast break.
He was already sweating profusely after just a few possessions, his nervousness lingering.
"Calm down! Everyone calm down!"
First, Avery Johnson cheered for the foul, then he shouted loudly from the sideline, constantly reminding his players to steady themselves.
Facing the double screen at the top of the arc, Josh Howard, guarding the left corner, immediately moved his feet when he saw Clay Lee, holding the ball in his left hand, again try to drive past Dirk Nowitzki.
Lee, who leaned in and accelerated, bumping into Nowitzki, had observed the defensive movement as he crossed the three-point line.
Just as the opponent was about to help defend in front of him, he smoothly passed the ball to the corner.
Ron Artest received the ball unguarded and angrily clanked an open three-pointer.
Before the Dallas Mavericks players could rejoice, Hill picked up the long rebound in the right block.
Jason Terry wanted to press forward and steal the ball, but the basketball was immediately tossed to Gasol at the top of the arc.
Adrian Griffin was momentarily distracted, and Lee had already returned to the top of the arc.
He cursed under his breath, chased back on Defense, but ended up colliding with Gasol.
Gasol completed a side hand-off and set a screen.
Lee, freed from his defender, put the ball down with his right hand, dribbled one step horizontally, then pulled up for a jump shot at the top of the arc!
"Swish!"
The basketball swished through the net, a clean and crisp score that left Dirk Nowitzki, who was trying to close out from the free-throw line, frozen in place.
Joyful shouts once again echoed through the Madison Square Garden.
0:10, the Dallas Mavericks called a timeout.
Avery Johnson stared wide-eyed at his dejected players.
He simply couldn't accept such a start.
Ron Artest was still frustrated about the open look he just missed, but Lee didn't mind.
He high-fived several teammates, finally patting the defensive anchor:
"The game has just begun. Keep shooting. If you miss, go get the rebound. They won't last long!"
Hearing Lee's words, Ron Artest grinned, rubbed his bald head, and then quipped:
"How did these guys even beat the San Antonio Spurs?!"
On the New York Knicks' bench, everyone was fired up.
Tonight's game was almost no different from the start of G1.
Thinking about getting more playing time, the hype squad couldn't wait to blow out the opponent in one quarter.
The opponent could both attack and defend.
Knowing that Dirk Nowitzki had already picked up a foul, Avery Johnson didn't dare to substitute Erick Dampier.
After giving a pep talk, he began to pray to God in his heart.
"Defense!"
In the first possession after the timeout, the defensive cheers in the Madison Square Garden grew louder, and the New York Knicks' five players on the court also defended with increasing intensity.
The Dallas Mavericks reverted to their old tactics.
Jason Terry passed the ball to Dirk Nowitzki on the right wing, then tried to set a screen before suddenly cutting towards the baseline.
Dirk Nowitzki made the pass, and the moment Terry received the ball, Lee had already chased to his side.
Protecting the ball on his left side, Jason Terry didn't choose to go 1-on-1, but instead called for Dirk Nowitzki to screen again.
Taking advantage of his teammate setting the screen, Terry put the ball down with his left hand and accelerated towards the top of the arc, forcing Gasol to switch and delay.
He paused briefly at the right elbow, then drove hard to the basket through the middle.
Using his speed to gain more than half a step, Terry rushed into the paint and immediately stopped, then quickly stepped back, drifting to his left-rear for a fadeaway jump shot.
The shot near the rim still bounced off the rim.
Dirk Nowitzki originally wanted to use his size advantage to squeeze into the paint and crash the boards, but Clay Lee, who had already established position, firmly held him behind.
A big man over 2.10 meters being blocked by a guard, laughter immediately erupted in the Arena again.
Watching Lee snatch the rebound in front of him, Dirk Nowitzki angrily punched the air again.
A center couldn't out-rebound a guard.
He would be mocked after the game again.
The Dallas Mavericks players were still communicating, trying to complete defensive matchups, but Lee gradually accelerated his advance.
When he reached the left wing, he stopped suddenly and executed a crossover dribble.
Adrian Griffin had just stopped his feet, watching Lee's body sway to the front-left, instinctively moved backward, and then was blown by with a between-the-legs dribble.
Before he could warn his teammates, Lee, who had switched the ball to his right hand and lowered his shoulder to accelerate, had already driven to the left elbow.
Adrian Griffin still wanted to chase back, but Lee, before the interior help Defense could arrive, took a step and floated the ball, smoothly tossing it into the basket with his right hand.
"Clay Lee once again seized the opportunity for a fast break. The lead has reached 12 points. The Dallas Mavericks are in trouble!"
Mike Breen reported the score in a cheerful tone.
Hubie Brown, beside him, sighed inwardly again.
The game seemed to be turning into another blowout:
"This is not the Dallas Mavericks' true level. They need to pick themselves up. Attacking the basket is a better offensive option right now."
It was Josh Howard who broke the scoring drought for his team.
When he received the ball on the right wing, the shot clock was about to expire.
His desperation three-pointer banked in, and the Dallas Mavericks' hype squad cheered along.
When Gasol's strong post-up on the left low block was defended by Dirk Nowitzki, Avery Johnson on the sideline also excitedly pumped his fist in celebration.
Unable to execute a fast break, Jason Terry received the ball again at the top of the arc, then called for Erick Dampier to come up and screen.
Gadzuric immediately moved to delay him.
Terry, holding the ball in his left hand, pushed the ball and changed direction, trying to squeeze through the two players.
Lowering his center of gravity, Terry extended his right arm, trying to control the basketball.
The moment his right hand touched the ball, he had no time to dodge and was poked away by Lee, who had already cut down the baseline to chase back on Defense.
"Oh!"
Watching Hill pick up the ball at the left elbow, cheers erupted again in the Madison Square Garden.
Jason Terry, who had dropped the ball, didn't have time to get back on Defense, and the basketball was thrown upcourt.
Lee, who had stolen the ball, easily shook off Erick Dampier behind him and successfully caught up to the basketball near the three-point line.
Unguarded, Clay Lee, holding the ball in his right hand, drove into the paint, jumped off two feet, rotated 360 degrees in the air, twisted his body, and slammed it down with a powerful dunk!
3:14, the lead returned to double digits.
After the dunk, Clay Lee stood under the basket and tugged at his jersey, facing the camera.
Noticing Terry's dark expression as he received the ball on the baseline, a smile once again appeared on his face.
"Dude, I know what you're trying to do!"
"..."
Jason Terry didn't say a word.
He suddenly remembered that he had once mocked Allen Iverson, and for a moment, he felt a tiny bit of shame.
In the following minutes, Dirk Nowitzki and Terry's cooperation remained fruitless.
Neither scored a point; only Erick Dampier's free throws accounted for 2 points.
The Dallas Mavericks' defensive loopholes grew more numerous.
Whenever they tried to cover for Dirk Nowitzki, Lee always found open opportunities.
Unfortunately, Ron Artest's three-pointers clanked off the rim, and he only scored points through easy layups under the basket and free throws.
Josh Howard, driving into the paint against Ron Artest's Defense, made a difficult step-back jump shot from directly in front of the rim.
On the other end, Gasol set a fake screen, and Hill seized the opportunity to drive hard to the basket from the right wing, drawing a shooting foul on Terry and earning a trip to the free-throw line.
Devin Harris, who replaced Terry, was a bit nervous as he came onto the court.
Noticing that Lee seemed to be looking at him, his scalp tingled.
A frustrated Dirk Nowitzki again clanked a forced three-pointer from the right wing near the sideline.
Lee picked up the long rebound near the free-throw line again, and Harris immediately committed a foul.
"Boo!"
For the first time in the game, boos erupted.
The Dallas Mavericks' tactic of fouling to stop fast breaks angered the New York fans who wanted to see an entertaining game.
"Let's go New York Knicks!"
Amidst the cheers echoing through the Madison Square Garden, Lee unhurriedly dribbled past half-court.
At the top of the arc, Harris lowered his stance, nervously guarding him.
Seeing the Rookie maintain a defensive distance, Lee first gave Gasol at the free-throw line a glance.
Harris didn't notice the movement behind him until he faintly heard Dirk Nowitzki's voice, realizing something was wrong.
Facing Lee, who suddenly leaned in and accelerated, Harris instinctively slid to his left.
Before he could reach out to grab, he was pushed aside by Lee's ball-handling arm.
The screen didn't happen.
Nowitzki, who had moved up, wanted to foul, but Lee was too fast.
Before Dirk Nowitzki could bend down and reach out, Lee, flying low to the ground, had already rushed into the paint.
In another blink of an eye, he could only watch his opponent soar into the air.
The New York fans behind the rim rose to their feet and cheered.
Erick Dampier, who instinctively helped defend the basket, hadn't even had time to jump and block when a powerful force struck him from in front.
Jumping off two feet directly in front of the rim, Clay Lee crashed into the big man under the basket, pulled the ball back with his right hand, briefly hovered in the air, then swung his arm down for a thunderous dunk!
"Beep!"
The referee blew his whistle. Erick Dampier, losing his balance, fell with a thud out of bounds.
When he came to his senses, his ears were filled with wild shouts.
Clay Lee, after landing, emotionlessly wagged his index finger.
Erick Dampier, pulled up by his teammates, didn't say a word, rubbing his chest.
He finally understood why O'Neal always made way.
The referee gave Clay Lee a technical foul, and Dirk Nowitzki also broke his scoring drought, getting 1 point from this free throw.
"MVP! MVP! MVP!"
Clay Lee stepped to the free-throw line, and the shouts echoing through the Madison Square Garden filled the Dallas Mavericks players with a sense of dejection.
8:23, after making the free throw, the lead reached 15 points.
Avery Johnson called another timeout.
In the latter half of the quarter, the New York Knicks actively played smaller, with Prince entering the game, and the Dallas Mavericks brought in Stackhouse.
Aside from free throws and fast breaks, whenever the Dallas Mavericks settled into a half-court offense, most of their possessions ended in misses.
Dirk Nowitzki still hadn't made a field goal, and his three-pointers and free-throw line jumpers continued to miss.
Occasionally, they would run a fast break.
Under Lee's orchestration, everyone was fired up, and the score continuously climbed.
In the final moments, the Rookie Harris, in a moment of frustration, committed his second foul by pulling at the top of the arc, sending Lee to the free-throw line again.
Avery Johnson was jumping on the sideline, and Harris's eyes were slightly red from suppressed frustration.
16:38, at the end of the first quarter, the New York fans at the Madison Square Garden were beaming.
This game had no suspense.
Watching the New York Knicks' bench players rush onto the court to celebrate wildly, Mike Breen, in a good mood on the commentary desk, couldn't help but quip:
"Given the New York Knicks' current form, perhaps the biggest suspense this year is who will win the FMVP. Everyone is performing exceptionally well."
Playing the entire first quarter, Clay Lee was 6-for-6 from the field, 1-for-1 from three-point range, and 5-for-5 from the free-throw line, contributing 18 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal.
Dirk Nowitzki, who also played every minute, was 0-for-5 from the field, 0-for-2 from three-point range, and 3-for-3 from the free-throw line, contributing 3 points and 2 rebounds.
Glancing at the box score, Hubie Brown shook his head slightly, truly not wanting to comment on the game, and a thought involuntarily surfaced in his mind:
"How did they even win the conference championship?"
....
By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)