Chapter 989: Chapter 26 Higher_3
Moreover, Malone was well aware that when he first joined the league and was training with the Jazz, Stockton didn’t think much of him.
Although Stockton didn’t show it most of the time, occasionally during training and games, he would slightly shake his head.
It was as if he was saying, "You’re playing it wrong; if it were Ah Gan playing, he wouldn’t play like that, he could play that way, he would play better," and so on.
Later, Malone kept improving, and he and Stockton completed so many plays together that he couldn’t even remember, there’s a lot, in any case.
Stockton finally no longer had that look and expression.
Up until 7 PM, the third game between the Trail Blazers and the Jazz, Malone still felt uneasy in his heart.
He had a premonition that something might happen tonight, a conflict, a battle, maybe even bloodshed.
He was restless inside; the Jazz’s home court had changed from the early Salt Palace Arena to the Triangle Center.
This modern arena with a simple structure and a cold temperament was built in just half a year, faster than the Rose Garden Arena.
The passionate Jazz fans have made this one of the loudest venues in the entire league, a test for the ears of any visiting team.
The Trail Blazers players were already accustomed to such noise; they have always been good at playing away games, and the noisy atmosphere often helped them focus better.
So, shortly after the game started, the Trail Blazers launched a deadly attack—Gan Guoyang continuously scored in the low post at the start.
He ignored the Jazz team’s exceptionally fierce double-teaming defense and the relaxed whistle of the referees, using hook shots and offensive rebounds to attack the Jazz’s three-second zone, succeeding repeatedly.
Meanwhile, Karl Malone had a mediocre start, missing several mid-range shots, and the Jazz’s scoring relied on Stockton’s threes, breakthrough layups, and Jeff Malone’s isolations.
"Get your spirits up, what are you doing Karl!" Jerry Sloan shouted from the sidelines, realizing Malone was not in good shape tonight.
This was very bad; if Malone didn’t perform well tonight and the Trail Blazers took the lead, losing this game would mean the entire series was doomed.
Sloan called a timeout, restructured the team’s offense, and demanded the players be more aggressive on defense.
"Tonight is our home court; we can play even more aggressively!"
The home court indeed provided a substantial boost. After the timeout, the Jazz players found their touch on outside shots, scoring one after another.
Besides Gan Guoyang, other Trail Blazers players kept missing shots, allowing the Jazz to slightly widen the gap, starting to lead.
The enthusiastic Salt Lake City fans constantly cheered for the Jazz, whose disciplined offense was more fluid and efficient than in the first two games.
Especially Stockton, he changed his organizing strategy, no longer easily venturing deep into the Trail Blazers’ backcourt defense.
He altered his course, reduced dribbling, accelerated past half-court, and increased pass speed, not giving the Trail Blazers a chance to double-team him.
The Jazz gradually gained an edge over the Trail Blazers, but just as they led by 6 points, Gan Guoyang carried out a pick-and-roll with Porter at the arc, receiving the ball after cutting out and making a three-pointer.
Not only did he make the shot, but he also drew a defensive foul from Mike Brown, earning a free throw for a four-point play!
Gan Guoyang stepped to the free throw line and made the free throw easily, closing the gap to 2 points.
The Jazz faced a crucial offensive possession; if they missed, the Trail Blazers had a chance to overtake.
Stockton pushed forward quickly, intending to play fast. Malone understood and cut to the basket.
The ball came as the person arrived. Malone caught the ball and was about to lay it up, but it was blocked from the side by Gan Guoyang, who anticipated the Jazz’s offensive pattern!
Another block; Malone’s ball was knocked away, and Gan Guoyang controlled the ball possession.
With the ball in hand, Gan Guoyang turned and attempted to drive for a fast break, potentially making a coast-to-coast play.
At that moment, Malone suddenly acted on impulse, charged from behind towards Gan Guoyang, and with raised arms, made a reckless collision.
This collision hit Gan Guoyang in the back, causing him to stumble, and the ball rolled out of his hands.
Gan Guoyang turned back with incredulous eyes, giving Malone a glance, who was staring blankly, and the two locked eyes.
The referee realized there was an issue but didn’t have time to react. Gan Guoyang, going bottom, rushed up and hugged Malone, lifting him up in one swoop!
At that moment, Malone felt heightened, how high? Finally taller than Ah Gan, reaching a higher place.
Then, there was a topsy-turvy moment, and he saw the glaring spotlights on the Triangle Center’s ceiling, the hanging banners, and then, darkness.
