NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 567 The King Returns.? (Daily Chapter)

On Sunday, May 2008, 5, during Game 25 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the emotions of Boston fans at the TD Garden seemed to be on a roller coaster.

When Paul Pierce was carried into a wheelchair by his teammates, holding his thighs and covering his buttocks with a painful look on his face, many people even began to cover their faces. Without the main scorer, the game would definitely be over!

Fans were hoping Pierce would be able to return as soon as possible, but at the end of the first half, there was still no definite news, which seemed to indicate that the injury was very serious.

At halftime, all Celtics fans were looking forward to it, but unfortunately, Pierce still did not show up.

ESPN reporters even connected urgently and brought first-hand news to the fans in front of the home team's locker room:
"Celtics staff said that they do not rule out the possibility of Pierce withdrawing from the game. He seems to have strained his thigh and the team doctor is currently treating him urgently!"

"."

After Pierce was injured, Ray Allen stepped up and not only took on the responsibility of guarding Li You on the defensive end, but also responded continuously from the outside on the offensive end.

Thanks to Ray Allen's outstanding performance of 12 points in a single quarter, the halftime score was fixed at 55:43, and the score difference was still within the catchable range.

At this time, the atmosphere in the Celtics' locker room was a little weird. Rivers had received the news, but he hadn't seen Pierce for a long time, so he couldn't help but complain to the team doctor:
"Damn it! How much longer will it take? We must reduce the score difference to single digits in the third quarter!"

The staff member who heard the question looked embarrassed. After Pierce pulled his pants, he basically had diarrhea. He is still in the toilet and his whole body is sore:

"We probably have to prepare ourselves, Pau has to eat something when he comes back, he can't come back to the game in this condition."

After Garnett and others learned the truth, they didn't know what to say for a moment. In order to save Pierce's face, the team even requisitioned a bathroom, and Pierce was currently defecating comfortably.

"No time! James, get ready, we must win this game!"

Hearing Garnett's call, James Posey immediately agreed, and the atmosphere team also began to cheer and encourage the players. When the players were ready to go on the court, Rivers came out of the locker room, still looking forward to it.

Still no sign of Pierce, as if he had fallen into the toilet. Thinking of the team's latest energy drink, Rivers cursed angrily:
"They're all against me! Shit!"

The sports reporters gathered in the player tunnel were also looking forward to it. When they didn't see Pierce, many of them were whispering:

"Boston is done! Their opponent is too strong, everyone can score, it seems that Pierce is seriously injured."

"It should be a hamstring problem. He will probably miss the game the day after tomorrow. God is helping Lee. He was double-teamed tonight, but others were able to respond."

"I saw a message on Twitter that Pierce wasn't injured, he just pooped his pants!"

After hearing this, everyone turned their eyes to the reporter from the New York Post, who shrugged and showed the iPhone in his hand. The news was leaked by a fan who claimed to be sitting in the front row.

"Impossible! When he was lifted into the wheelchair, Pierce covered his thigh with his hands and looked very painful."

"Shit! He lied to us? Why couldn't Midfield interview Lee? He must know exactly what happened!"

The reporters from New York did not participate in this topic anymore. After looking at each other, they all felt that they could have a big event tomorrow. Unfortunately, there were no photos at the moment, so they might have to spend some money.

"what!!"

In the closed restroom, Pierce, who had just stood up, held onto the door and yelled weakly. The staff looked at Core, whose face had turned pale, and looked at each other in bewilderment for a moment.

The third quarter had already begun. Pierce knew he had to return, but after his stomach was empty, he really couldn't muster up the energy and could only say weakly:

"Get me some donuts and glucose, I'm feeling better, damn it! Wait for me a minute."

Pierce squatted down again, feeling more and more uncomfortable the more he thought about it. He clearly remembered that when he was covering his butt, Li You behind him had an inexplicable smile on his face. When he thought of this, his scalp went numb:
"Fuck! Fuck."

The staff didn't know what to say. It was indeed the team's fault tonight. Sometimes functional drinks must be prepared with some technology, which can help players perform better.

Apparently, too much explosive material was added this time, causing Pierce to have gastrointestinal problems. Now he can only pray that the score gap does not widen.

When Pierce felt dizzy and returned to the locker room listlessly with the help of the staff, a group of people surrounded him and brought him medicine and food. The latter did not even bother to wipe his hands and just took the medicine and showed it off.

"Has the score gap widened? How long do we have?"

The assistant coach who quietly returned to the locker room saw that Pierce was much better than before, and he was relieved and whispered to comfort him:

"Ray is in good shape. He not only limited Lee, but also brought our score difference back to 9 points. However, if we continue to defend like this, we may not be able to last until the fourth quarter. The team needs you to return as soon as possible."

Pierce felt warm in his stomach and felt like he was alive again. Hearing the score difference was narrowed, he heaved a sigh of relief and hurriedly said:

"Help me get my shorts! Shit, don't give me that drink anymore, Gatorade will do, let me rest for two more minutes, I'll be back in the game right away!"

The equipment manager took out new shorts, and the staff tied Pierce's feet again. As he was being served, Pierce's face once again showed a conflicted look. After a moment's silence, he whispered, "What's wrong with you?"

"Lee didn't accept any interviews, did he? I remember ESPN only interviewed coaches during the game!"

"No, Pau! You spent too long in the bathroom, now you need to move your body."

Pierce breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Li You didn't talk too much, the diarrhea problem would be over. Now all he had to do was shit. The king returns!
With 3 minutes and 7 seconds left in the third quarter, Ray Allen, who was fighting for his life, took up the offense again. After two consecutive counter-runs, he finally made a three-pointer from the right wing, and the NDRC was boiling.

In the life-and-death battle, Ray Allen completely released his emotions, pumping his fist and shouting after scoring the goal. Garnett even excitedly chased after his teammates and beat his chest to celebrate.

When Pierce jogged out of the player tunnel, Boston fans shouted excitedly.

Seeing Pierce taking off his training jacket and preparing to go on the court, some fans in the back row of the screaming seats jumped up and down. They saw hope of winning again!

When Li You stood on the free throw line and James Posey walked to the technical table, the NDRC Garden Arena was completely boiling. Everyone stood up, clapped their hands and cheered loudly for the tough guy Pierce.

Some Boston sports reporters were equally excited and took out their phones to tweet:

"This is as great as Reed's return! Pau's return is an encouragement to everyone!"

Pierce returned to the court and quickly came to the paint area. Seeing Li You nodding to him with a smile, he felt so embarrassed that he wanted to pick his feet. He could only maintain his expressionless face and kept hypnotizing himself:

"He didn't see it. He doesn't know!"

After making both free throws, the game continued. Perhaps it was because he was exhausted from stretching that Pierce completely relaxed. In the first offensive round after his return, he received the ball on the right wing, took advantage of a screen, and shot directly after a pick-and-roll!

Perkins successfully delayed Artest, and although Chandler made a defensive move, the basketball hit the front of the basket and bounced into the frame.

"Oh!!"

68:60, the NDRC was boiling again, everyone was cheering for Pierce's response, this was simply a heroic script!

In the defensive round, when Li You took the initiative to find Garnett's delay, the latter did not skimp on his energy and cooperated with Ray Allen to quickly double-team him. The Celtics fans at the scene also shouted desperately:

"Defense!."

Seeing Li You holding the ball in his left hand and accelerating horizontally, and then suddenly stopping and turning outside the three-point line to pass the ball under the siege of two people, the atmosphere group on the Celtics bench also shouted happily. Gasol received the ball at the top of the arc and strode to the basket. Garnett tried hard to chase him, but it was too late due to his declining physical strength.

Fortunately, Perkins' tough defense worked. Gasol's shot hit the rim and bounced out. Chandler got the frontcourt rebound, but the basketball failed to go into the net after hitting the backboard.

During the scramble, Garnett jumped up again, got in front of Gasol, grabbed the ball, bent down and protected the ball firmly at the lower left side of the basket.

When Garnett passed the ball to Marbury, the cheers almost broke through the arena. Garnett ran to the half court and raised his head and shouted again, and the atmosphere at the scene was ignited for a while.
In this situation, it seemed that God also favored Pierce. He bounced to the left wing, and his strong three-pointer after a fake shot hit the front of the basket again.

When the basketball bounced high, the stadium became a little quiet. The moment it fell into the net, everyone shouted again, and some fans in the front row even raised their hands and celebrated wildly.

"The Celtics are raining three-pointers! They seem to have found the rhythm of the game. Pierce's performance in these two rounds is amazing!"

In the ESPN commentary booth, Mike Breen also began to praise loudly, saying that a 5-point difference was negligible for the "Big Four" team.

Mark Jackson saw Pierce cooperate with his teammates to double-team in advance, and Artest's strong attack on the left wing was blocked by Garnett. For a moment, he could only comment euphemistically:

"The double-team worked. Maybe the Knicks' offense should be more patient. They seemed a little impatient."

Coach Rivers on the sidelines shouted excitedly. When Pierce made a fake move on the left wing and then forced a foul under the basket, he couldn't help but punched repeatedly and shouted at the top of his voice:

"Yee! That's it! Let's go!"

"MVP! MVP! MVP!"

68:65, Pierce made two free throws and scored 8 points in a row. The NDRC was completely crazy at this moment. Just like the reversal of the Cavaliers, Boston fans believed that they would win tonight.

The Knicks did not slow down their offensive rhythm after having the opportunity, shooting and breaking through. As time passed, Li You's passes began to turn into assists.

Garnett, whose physical condition declined, also showed his ability in key shots, turning around and shooting in the low post on the left side, receiving the ball and shooting in the right elbow area, and forcing a foul under the basket.

The Celtics kept close to the score with the consecutive responses, and the atmosphere on the scene became even more heated.

When the third quarter ended, head coach Rivers, who was preparing to be interviewed, excitedly pumped his fist. They did it!
79:76, the Celtics defeated the Knicks in a single quarter for the first time in the series.

From the start of the game to now, Garnett has only rested for less than two minutes. When he returned to his seat, he was sweating profusely. Ray Allen was not feeling well either. Chasing and defending Li You would consume more physical energy, so he kept taking deep breaths at this time.

"Hold on, we scored 33 points in the third quarter! The opponent is already exhausted, there are still 12 minutes left, and we can win!"

Sitting in front of everyone, Rivers leaned forward, looked at his players and shouted encouragement. At this moment, he seemed to see victory waving at him.

Pierce was also breathing heavily. His physical condition was not very good. Anyone would not be able to withstand strenuous exercise after diarrhea. He had already tried his best.

"12 minutes, hold on a little longer! Hey! Bro, let's continue to double-team him."

Before going on the court, Garnett pulled everyone together and kept giving instructions loudly. The invisible Marbury nodded repeatedly. This was indeed the moment closest to victory in the series.

On the other side, on the Knicks bench, everyone was not as nervous as their opponents imagined.

10中6，三分线外4中2，罚球6中6，20分4篮板9助攻1抢断1失误，李佑弧顶发牌，这份数据表明其他人得到了更多机会。

Most of the Knicks players have rich championship experience. When they are leading after three quarters and the big guys don't take many shots, when the game reaches the critical moment, everyone knows what tactics to execute.

Their performance time was over. As D'Antoni kept marking out tactics on the tactical board and loudly reminded everyone, everyone readily agreed:
"Set a screen for Li, give the ball to Li, and pay attention to the long rebound. Their physical strength has reached its limit!"

"."

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, head coach Rivers, who was being interviewed, appeared particularly confident in front of reporters and repeatedly emphasized the team's tactical adjustments:

"With 7 players rotating, everyone overcame the difficulties. We were not scared by the opponent. Pau's return encouraged everyone! You know, he overcame the thigh injury."

He wanted to continue blowing the whistle, but the sudden exclamation in the stadium brought Rivers back to his senses, and his eyes twitched slightly. Li You didn't even take a break.

In the first offensive round, Dio, who had just come on the court as the power forward, immediately passed the ball back to Li You after receiving the ball at the top of the arc, and then quickly shot out.

Ray Allen received instructions from Garnett and switched defense immediately. Perhaps because there was still some distance from the three-point line, Garnett's defensive action was extremely aggressive and he took the initiative to cut the ball after a delay.

When the basketball was knocked out of Li You's hand, some fans subconsciously exclaimed, and then cheered loudly. Garnett adjusted his center of gravity, clapped his hands, and then stared at Li You's movements.

It seemed that he was not in a hurry to attack. Li You turned sideways to regain control of the ball. When the basketball came back in front of him, he noticed that his opponent moved back slightly and suddenly pulled it out!

"Oh"

Maybe it was because he took too few shots in the first three quarters, and this time the basketball hit the backboard and went into the basket, causing the fans at the scene to shout and curse, and it looked like he was confused no matter how you looked at him.

“God seems to be blessing me too!”

Li You said something with a smile while looking at Garnett who was glaring and blowing his beard. The latter tried hard to control his emotions, turned around and cursed twice, indicating that he would double-team him in the next round.

Facing the Knicks' lineup of one big and four small players, Ray Allen, who bounced out to the left wing, chose to break through again. JR Smith's defense was just following him, but Dio, who was assisting in defense in the interior, was very fast.

In the paint area right in front of the basket, Ray Allen wanted to pass the ball in the air, but his physical strength declined and he hesitated, so he was intercepted by Dio in the air. The moment he landed, JR Smith controlled the ball and immediately rushed forward with the ball.

"Shhh!!"

Boos echoed throughout the arena. When JR Smith quickly passed the ball, Marbury, who was retreating, had already reached in front of Li You. He pounced on him the moment he received the ball, and then fell behind by half a body length.

Li You led the ball forward slightly casually, and when he accelerated near the right sideline, the Boston fans sitting in the front row stood up and shouted, and the voices were getting louder and louder.

Marbury was too nervous and followed his body instincts when sliding. Li You stopped suddenly and pulled back his hips, causing him to stagger and almost fall to the floor.

Unable to jump up to defend, Marbury could only watch Li You calmly pass the ball some distance away from the three-point line and make a steady jump shot!
"Shhh!!"

Amid the boos that filled the stadium, the basketball still went into the net. Li You scored so quickly that Rivers, who was standing on the sidelines, stared in amazement.

85:76, the score difference instantly returned to 9 points, the NDRC became noisy again, something seemed wrong.

When Garnett attacked the basket from the low post on the left side but missed, Tony Allen, who had been standing up to watch the game on the Celtics bench, subconsciously covered his face.

In the semi-transition offense, Li You, who received the ball, did not advance very fast. When he dribbled across half court along the left sideline, Ray Allen was a little nervous and then he stood there in a daze.

Suddenly, the ball was passed to Li You casually. All the Celtics players turned their heads subconsciously, and then saw the basketball go into the net.

“Come on! Try harder.”

In the somewhat quiet arena, Li You shouted at his opponent with a smile on his face. Realizing that the score difference had reached double digits, Pierce subconsciously tightened his hip muscles. Noticing his opponent looking at him, he couldn't help but cursed:
"What the hell."

(End of this chapter)