Chapter 1013: Chapter 33 Black OR Yellow_3
Jordan catches the ball at a 45-degree angle on the left, backs down Reggie Lewis, turns continuously, and suavely shoots a fadeaway jumper, but it misses.
Gan Guoyang grabs the defensive rebound, dribbles up the court himself, but is double-teamed by Jordan and Grant, so he passes to Porter.
Porter drives but his layup is blocked by Pippen. A scramble ensues under the basket, but the Bulls secure the defensive rebound.
The Bulls counterattack, with Jordan slicing through the middle like a dagger, receives a pass from Pippen and makes an aerial 270-degree spinning layup, evading the defense of Ah Gan and Sabonis, and the ball goes in with strong backspin!
This shot is arguably the most spectacular of the game, even of the entire series so far.
Gan Guoyang is stunned for a moment; the shot was so beautiful, he almost wants Jordan to do it again.
But there’s no time to think of those things, as Gan Guoyang quickly receives the ball in the low post, turns, and aggressively attacks the basket to draw a foul.
He surprisingly makes only one out of two free throws; Gan Guoyang rarely misses free throws, and missing this time makes him very frustrated.
Every point is extremely valuable in such a game.
Jordan says from the side, "Sonny, maybe you’ll lose by this one point."
He tries to get inside Gan Guoyang’s head, then immediately makes a left-handed drive, hitting a side jumper while in an elegant state!
The Bulls have already taken the lead, prompting the Trail Blazers to call a timeout. Beelman replaces Porter with Petrović.
As the fourth quarter ticks away, the Bulls reclaim the lead, relying on Jordan’s consecutive scoring.
The atmosphere in the venue becomes increasingly tense, the score remains deadlocked at 74:72 for a considerable amount of time, with neither side scoring.
The Bulls lead by 2 points over the Trail Blazers, and Beelman’s substitutions haven’t had much effect, while the Bulls’ double-teaming of Gan Guoyang becomes more intense.
But the other players on the Trail Blazers fail to score.
Sometimes you have to admit that shooting touch is conserved.
When you make many mid-to-long-range shots in the third and fourth games, you might likely miss in the fifth.
Fortunately, the Trail Blazers’ defense didn’t collapse; they tried their best and defended quite well.
"I feel like I can’t breathe. Whoever sells oxygen tanks at the Rose Garden Arena now could make a fortune."
Bill Walton, commenting live, is so nervous that his heart is racing, affecting his commentary pace.
His full attention is on the game, and his mind just can’t think.
Not just him, even seasoned commentators feel the same.
At this moment, Jordan makes a casual stop-and-jump shot from the top of the arc, breaking the deadlock with a 2-point shot!
76:72, the Bulls have now established their largest lead over the Trail Blazers tonight.
Jordan has now scored 39 points, with only 4 minutes left in the game.
The entire Rose Garden Arena has quieted down significantly, with everyone holding their breath, hoping the Trail Blazers can regain their form.
Gan Guoyang catches the ball at the top of the arc, Jordan and Grant close in again, so Gan Guoyang passes to Petrović.
Petrović drives straight to the basket, attempts a floater shot!
But under Cartwright’s interference, the shot does not go in.
However, Gan Guoyang forces his way through the Bulls players and grabs the offensive rebound.
He fakes, spins quickly, and delivers a powerful left-handed dunk!
76:74, and the Rose Garden explodes like an oil drop hitting water.
At this moment, Jordan is as hot as molten lava, he curls out, catches Pippen’s pass on the right side at a 45-degree angle, and makes another mid-range jumper.
Even though Reggie Lewis is right in his face, Jordan still sinks it!
78:74, a 4-point lead feels like pins and needles for the Trail Blazers.
Gan Guoyang receives the ball on the outside, still facing the unwavering double team, he passes again to Sabonis coming to help.
After passing the ball, Gan Guoyang immediately cuts to the flank, Sabonis intuitively passes it to Gan Guoyang.
Gan Guoyang catches and promptly releases a mid-range jumper, and it goes in!
78:76, their continuous shots set the stage for one of the most dramatic scoring duels in NBA Finals history.
Jordan quickly changes direction at the top of the arc, facing the combined defense of Lewis and Gan Guoyang, he takes a difficult shot and it goes in.
Meanwhile, Gan Guoyang backs Jordan into the lane, and while balancing on one foot at the free-throw line, makes a tough jumper, swishing through the net!
Jordan’s counterattack is lightning fast, driving, stopping abruptly, and again making a bank shot!
Gan Guoyang passes to Porter, then loops around to his familiar spot on the right baseline.
Receiving the pass from Porter, and facing Grant’s defense, he casually sinks the shot!
The atmosphere of the pivotal battle steadily rises to a climax, and the score keeps climbing.
Both players have entered into a state of offensive trance, once they receive the ball, they shoot and it goes in.
The Rose Garden Arena echoes with cheers, everyone, including commentators, stands while watching, no one is seated.
Even disabled spectators attending the game have their family and friends prop them up to watch the game.
This is a battle to decide who is the god.
The clash reaches 86:84, the Trail Blazers still trail the Bulls by 2 points, and it’s the Bulls’ possession.
With less than 30 seconds left in the game, Jordan holds the ball on the outside, staring at the shot clock as every second ticks away.
This critical offensive possession, if the Bulls score, they will clinch the game.
The championship will also be theirs to take.
Jordan adjusts his breathing, feeling like his lungs are about to burst.
The relentless offense leaves his arms and legs weary; his knees feel like they’re on fire.
With sheer willpower propelling him, he must score.
Jordan already has 49 points, and Gan Guoyang has scored 47 points.
