97 3.8 seconds
"Beep—Beep!"
Phil Jackson called a timeout. Curry's mistake was fatal for the Suns, but for the Lakers, it was an unexpected gift, prompting a timeout to secure their victory.
Stabilized!
On the Lakers' bench...
Pau Gasol leaned back in his chair, exhaling a sigh of relief, looking forward to the end of the timeout, the completion of the 3.8 seconds, and the relaxed mood of victory.
"Yeah..."
Kobe, who had been slightly frowning, also relaxed at this moment. He knew the game was won. However, the pursuit of perfection made him slightly resentful about the missed crucial jump shot earlier. After tonight, he would punish himself by practicing even harder.
Not only these two, the entire Lakers team waited in a winner's posture for the victory.
On the Suns' bench...
Curry sat down with his head bowed, in a bad mood. Nash walked over, sat beside Curry, and comforted him with a faint smile, "It's okay... who hasn't made a mistake? It's just a game, and besides, losing to the defending champions isn't too embarrassing. Tonight, you and Carlos played really well. If it weren't for you two, we might have lost much earlier."
Although comforted, Curry still felt remorseful and sad. However, he nodded gently; he didn't want to spread his negative emotions to his teammates.
On the sideline...
Carlos just watched without saying a word. Nash's comforting words were probably more effective than his. At this stage, Gentry, who had been tense and nervous, was relieved after confirming the fact of the loss.
"Hehe!"
He smiled and said, "Guys, it's okay. There are wins and losses in every game. We've already had a 16-game winning streak, which is much better than we imagined. Tonight, whether we win or lose, you are the best. However, there are still 3.8 seconds left, and we should have the necessary tactics. No matter who gets the ball from the Lakers next, immediately foul them! Make the Lakers shoot free throws, and then we have the last 3 seconds or so to attack. Of course, under normal circumstances, now we don't have any timeouts left, and 3 seconds are not enough for a full-court attack. So... don't burden yourselves. Play normally."
Gentry spoke for a while.
In short, they had no more timeouts left, and it was almost impossible for them to stage a miracle.
"Beep—Beep!"
Coming back from the timeout...
The last 3.8 seconds of what seemed like a perfunctory game began!
Pau Gasol inbounded from the side of the center circle. The Suns adopted a man-to-man defense, following the coach's strategy to foul immediately, regardless of who got the ball.
Of course...
They tried to prevent the accurate passer, Kobe, from receiving the ball as much as possible.
Pau Gasol held the ball on the sideline, calm and composed. His only thought was to give the ball to a teammate. Even if he had to throw the ball into the sky, they could still secure the victory.
"Swoosh!"
The first pass went to Kobe. Seeing Carter closing in, he hesitated for a moment, then promptly passed to the open Pau Gasol. However, it was this momentary hesitation.
In the process of Pau Gasol passing the ball, as the ball flew towards Artest, at the moment Artest was about to catch it, Carlos, who had been blocked by Artest, seized the opportunity.
"Step!"
Stepping back half a step and then swiftly lunging forward, Carlos, using the "Eagle Spear," shot ruthlessly, releasing the ball just before Pau Gasol, sending it flying. The two clashed bodies in the process.
"Sizzle!"
The ball was deflected, and both Carlos and Artest went sprawling. However, just as Carlos was about to fall, he planted his left hand on the ground, stabilizing his body in a quick side position. In the physical confrontation, Artest, having turned half a circle, was also about to fall. But with a timely reaction, he planted both hands on the ground, stabilizing himself.
The aforementioned events happened in the blink of an eye.
Carlos deflected the ball.
"Steal?!"
"Oh my God, Carlos stole the ball from Artest!"
In the broadcast studio of the Mexican National Sports TV, Mario widened his eyes and screamed.
Yes...
Carlos stole the ball from Artest, and he did it before Artest, grabbing the basketball. Carlos took the lead, Artest followed, and the two raced towards the frontcourt at full speed.
And time was flying!
3.8 seconds.
3.1 seconds.
...
"Swoosh!"
The arena erupted into cheers.
As Carlos and Artest sprinted full speed towards the frontcourt, everyone in the arena stood up. Lakers fans clenched their fists, widened their eyes, staring intently at Carlos, hoping he wouldn't make it to the basket in time, hoping Artest could catch up under the basket.
Meanwhile, Suns fans raised both hands, their expressions thrilled, ready to celebrate, prepared to give Carlos the most intense cheers!
"Ahhhh!!"
Artest roared with his head down, sprinting at full speed. He wasn't sure if he had enough time, but he knew he had to stop Carlos's attack.
And Carlos...
Not only did he have to race Artest, but he also had to race against time. Sprinting at full speed, Carlos unleashed the swift speed under "Iverson's talent" without any reservation.
3.8 seconds, steal.
2.6 seconds, right arc three-point line.
1.6 seconds, initiating a layup in the paint.
In the last 0.7 seconds, he scooped the ball for a layup. At the moment the ball left Carlos's fingertips, everyone held their breath. Only the timer's red light lit up, signaling the end of time.
Then...
"Splash!"
"Thud!"
"Swish!"
The first sound was the basketball hitting the backboard, the second was the sound of Artest crashing in and failing to block, and the third was the sound of the ball swishing through the net.
The light was on!
The ball went in!
In the final 3.8 seconds, Carlos stole the ball from Artest, outran time, and finished the layup, killing the Los Angeles Lakers, defeating the defending champions!
Buzz!
The arena fell silent for a moment, then countless fans, at the moment Carlos completed the game-winning shot, raised their hands, jumped with excitement, and cheered wildly.
"Game-winner!"
"Unbelievable, Carlos's steal and game-winner!"
"We won, the Suns won!"
"Amazing!"
"Oh my God, the Suns completed the game-winning shot, defeated the Lakers!"
Boom!
For a moment, exclamations, amazement, screams, discussions, all blended together, creating a wave like an explosive bomb suddenly detonating in the deep sea.
It raised towering waves, as if wanting to flip the roof of the America West Arena.
The deafening cheers of victory echoed throughout the arena, spreading far and wide, as if the entire Phoenix was filled with lingering echoes!
