Veterans never die.
The Celtics veterans, driven by their hunger for victory and their desperation for a championship, defeated the Heat Big Three and won a game.
However, a series is not won with just one game.
The Celtics still had to face three match points. If they wanted to win the series and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, there was still a long road ahead.
Right after that, Game 4 between the Mavericks and the Spurs began.
Tonight's game was still on the Mavericks' home court, and Dallas already had three wins in hand. If they won one more, they would sweep the Spurs and advance to the Western Conference Finals.
"Boom!"
Before the game had even started, the home-court atmosphere was already exploding.
As for the Spurs, down 0-3 and without home-court advantage, they were under even more pressure tonight than the Celtics had been.
Winning would be as hard as climbing to the heavens.
"Huff..."
As the players warmed up, Coach Popovich sat on the bench and took several deep breaths. His furrowed brow and heavy gaze said it all.
He was under tremendous pressure too.
Or rather, even he did not know how they were supposed to win in this situation.
"Trust them. That's all I can do now."
Popovich murmured to himself as his gaze settled on "GDP," the Spurs' Big Three. He placed all his hope in them.
At this moment, "GDP" was Popovich's only lifeline.
Before long, the game began.
While Popovich was hoping "GDP" could erupt for one game, help the Spurs win, and spare them the embarrassment of being swept, the Mavericks once again played their roles perfectly.
Everyone contributed.
On both ends of the floor, they delivered explosive production.
Most importantly, they still had their superstar, Dirk Nowitzki, hammering away at the Spurs' confidence with one unstoppable "One-Legged Fadeaway" after another.
Back and forth.
The Spurs collapsed.
Tim Duncan managed to get his offense going under pressure, but Manu Ginóbili no longer had that supernatural edge in a desperate situation. As for Parker thriving in smooth sailing? No. The Spurs never had smooth sailing to begin with.
From the very start, they were on the back foot, suppressed by the Mavericks.
In the final quarter, with five minutes left, the deficit was already as large as 16 points. Everyone knew it. Everyone understood.
The Spurs were not coming back tonight.
Although neither team had emptied the bench, the game was already in garbage time.
At the commentary table, Jon Barry clicked his tongue and said, "The Mavericks, this year's Mavericks, are extremely deep. Their overall strength is too much. As a team, they're playing at a terrifying level.
Add in an unstoppable Nowitzki, and they're practically invincible."
"The Mavericks really are incredibly strong."
Mark Jackson nodded, then added, "That said, I don't actually think their roster is that deep.
But one thing has to be acknowledged. From the starters to the bench, everyone on this Mavericks team has been playing far too well this year. Add in their backbone, Dirk Nowitzki, and they're truly impossible to deal with.
Even though the Spurs have a brilliant coach in Popovich, a powerful trio in 'GDP,' and an overall team-first style, they still can't play with the same force Dallas is showing.
So naturally, they can't beat the Mavericks."
"Yes."
Jon Barry agreed, then shared his own view as well. "But I also want to say this. We can say everyone on the Mavericks is locked in.
But we also have to admit that part of the reason they can play this way is Nowitzki's leadership. His outstanding performances are lifting his teammates.
It's just like Blake with the Suns, lifting players like Curry and George."
"Exactly."
"This is the small-ball era now, but for Blake and Nowitzki, it almost feels like a special big-man version of the 'small-ball era.'
Their presence seems to be changing the 'small-ball era.' As for what kind of chemistry that change will create, we'll have to wait and see."
"That's right."
As the two commentators chatted, the Mavericks, playing at home, had no intention of wasting time.
With another big win, they pulled the Spurs apart at home and swept them 4-0.
The Dallas Mavericks became the first team to advance to the Western Conference Finals, and also the first team to reach the conference finals this year.
A sweep in the Western Conference Semifinals.
The Mavericks' strength left fans unable to stop marveling.
"To be honest, when the playoffs started, I never imagined the Mavericks would make the Western Conference Finals.
And I definitely didn't expect them to advance through both series in such dominant fashion. That's really unexpected."
"Yeah, the Mavericks are scary good!"
"Nowitzki is the real backbone this year. At this point, if anyone still dares to say he plays soft, I'll fight them myself."
"Truly unstoppable!"
"The Mavericks are invincible!"
"Nowitzki is unstoppable for the Mavericks, and Blake is unstoppable for the Suns. I really can't wait to see those two face each other. I can't wait for the Western Conference Finals between the Suns and Mavericks!"
"Hey, what do you mean by that?"
"I know. The person above is clearly saying the Lakers are going to lose this series."
"Bullshit. The counterattack has only just begun."
"Exactly. You clearly don't know how poisonous the 'Black Mamba's' fangs are. This is the year the Lakers build their dynasty.
They absolutely won't lose."
"Wake up, man. The series is already 3-1. In two days, back on the Suns' home court, Game 5 will be the day Phoenix takes down the Lakers and meets the Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals."
"Please. I admit coming back from 0-3 is hard, but in NBA history, coming back from 1-3 is still very possible.
The Lakers absolutely won't lose."
"Then we'll see."
"Hmph. We'll see!"
Originally, the fans were all loudly praising how unstoppable the Mavericks were this year.
But... some people praise and then drift off topic, and some conversations change before you even realize it.
...
Still, no matter how much people talked, nothing compared to seeing it play out on the court.
Game 5 between the Suns and the Lakers, the match point battle, had been discussed feverishly by fans and heavily promoted by the media, newspapers, and even the NBA itself.
The hype was exploding.
Two days later, this massively anticipated showdown finally began at US Airways Center.
7:30 p.m.
Half an hour before tip-off, the arena was already packed. Noise filled every corner, and the Suns fans, relaxed and in high spirits, seemed as though they were already enjoying the joy of advancing to the Western Conference Finals ahead of time.
On top of that, this incredibly high-profile game had also drawn plenty of famous names.
Among them were "The Dream" Hakeem Olajuwon, "Magic" Johnson, and "The Baby-Faced Assassin" Isiah Thomas.
The three legends from an older generation were sitting together.
Also in attendance were "The Answer" Allen Iverson, this year's No. 1 overall pick John Wall, "God of Basketball" Michael Jordan, and "Batman" Scottie Pippen.
There were also Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian.
In addition... there was Klay Thompson, who would enter the draft next season, and Kyrie Irving, who was an enormous Kobe fan.
Of course, besides basketball stars, many celebrities from other circles had also come to the arena to watch this Game 5 battle, which was destined to be spectacular.
"Wow!"
"There are so many celebrities here tonight."
Some sharp-eyed fans could not help but sigh after scanning the arena.
And while the fans were marveling, three women were sitting in the fifth and tenth rows of the stands. If Blake saw them, he would recognize them at once.
Because they were none other than Yoona, Jessica, and Mia Quinn.