"Stephen, there's not much time left. It's up to you to organize the team's attack later..."
"Everyone stays focused. We must not have any more problems on the offensive end. Now we are 6 points behind. If we can't catch up, then we will lose this game..."
During the timeout, on the Warriors' bench, head coach Steve Kerr was arranging the final tactics.
When their own team fell behind, both Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson showed extreme anxiety.
After all, no one expected that they thought they could easily win the Minnesota Timberwolves without even using the last quarter, but the result was shocking. Not only did the Warriors fail to defeat the opponent, but they fell behind at the last moment.
If such a score cannot be reversed, then there is a high probability that the Warriors will lose.
call out.
The referee whistle sounded.
The timeout ends and the final moment for both sides arrives.
The Warriors serve.
Before Stephen Curry even got the ball, Zhao Feiyang got in front of him and started marking him. Zach LaVine, who was in the second position, was also taken off the court to rest due to excessive physical exertion, and was replaced by Kevin Martin.
After all, Kevin Martin is a veteran in the league and has more experience in dealing with defenders like Klay Thompson. Therefore, the task of restricting Klay Thompson at the last moment was left to him.
In the chaos, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson crossed screens to get the ball.
After the ball passed half court, Zhao Feiyang stepped forward to mark Stephen Curry.
The latter did not act rashly, but signaled a pick-and-roll with Draymond Green inside. Draymond Green immediately pounced upon Curry's gesture.
The two faced each other, and Stephen Curry used Draymond Green's pick-and-roll to pass Zhao Feiyang. After getting rid of Zhao Feiyang, he took the ball and entered the basket. Seeing the Timberwolves players coming up to defend, Stephen Curry made a direct throw.
Uh-huh.
The basketball fell steadily into the basket.
114 to 110.
The score difference narrowed to 4 points.
Stephen Curry's key goal also excited the fans on the sidelines. Many people stood up and cheered for him, and his teammates on the bench also stood up to boost their morale.
The ball came to the Timberwolves.
Zhao Feiyang deliberately attracted double-teams from the opponent to create an opportunity for Kevin Martin to catch the ball.
After Kevin Martin got the ball, he rushed toward the half court. Klay Thompson had to give up the double-team and quickly caught up to defend Kevin Martin.
After halftime, Kevin Martin reacted quickly and raised the basketball to take action quickly.
boom.
His three-point shot failed.
Fortunately, the rebound bounced out and was picked off by Andrew Wiggins.
Andrew Wiggins, who got the rebound, shot a single under the basket, but was interfered by Draymond Green the moment he shot.
The latter slapped Andrew Wiggins on the palm, but the referee did not call a foul on this ball.
The basketball hit the backboard and landed on the wing.
Zhao Feiyang went over to pick up the basketball first, and Stephen Curry also followed him at this time.
The two were in a one-on-one stance, and other teammates planned to come up to help Zhao Feiyang in the pick-and-roll, but the next second, Zhao Feiyang waved to his teammates to pull away.
"Are these two going to fight one on one?"
"The anticipated scene has finally arrived..."
"Let's make a bet! Let's see who is more powerful... I think Zhao may not be able to score this goal. Of course, it shouldn't be easy for Stephen to block the shot..."
Fans on the sidelines were talking a lot.
On the court, Zhao Feiyang had already set up an offensive stance in the corner. The moment Stephen Curry reached out to him, he immediately picked up the basketball and rushed toward the basket.
Stephen Curry's body also moved accordingly, but in the next second, Zhao Feiyang suddenly dribbled the ball under his crotch and pulled the ball back.
The seemingly simple action made many old fans watching the game couldn't help but exclaim.
Especially Andre Iguodala on the court had the biggest reaction.
"This move... During the 2001 season finals, Allen Iverson used this move to pass Tyronn Lue..."
"Oh God! How did this guy recreate himself?"
On the field.
The moment Zhao Feiyang pulled the basketball back, Stephen Curry was almost knocked down, but he was not Tyronn Lue after all. He did not fall to the ground but stabilized his body.
But when he pounced on him, Zhao Feiyang had already raised the basketball to take action.
Uh-huh.
A two-point shot landed firmly in the basket.
Zhao Feiyang's singles stunned the entire audience, and Stephen Curry, who failed to defend successfully, couldn't help but shake his head and sigh as he looked at the basket.
"No......"
There was not much time left for the Warriors. After Zhao Feiyang scored this goal, the point difference widened to 6 points again.
And the remaining time is only the last 31 seconds.
This means the Warriors have to give it their all.
"Serve quickly."
Stephen Curry reacted quickly and shouted to his teammates.
His teammates quickly threw the ball into his hands, and Stephen Curry, who got the basketball, accelerated wildly across the half court. This time, he did not pause because of Zhao Feiyang's interference.
After halftime, Stephen Curry suddenly made a sudden move, and Zhao Feiyang was half-way away from him without any precautions.
Taking this opportunity, Stephen Curry raised the basketball and shot directly.
Uh-huh.
A crisp three-pointer fell firmly into the basket.
The whole audience exclaimed, countless fans cheered, and the Warriors players shouted out, excited for the team leader's three-pointer.
There are 25 seconds left.
113 to 116.
Stephen Curry's three-pointer helped the Warriors buy more time.
"Kevin, if you get the ball later, you must try your best to delay the time... We still have a chance, we can completely wear them out..."
Zhao Feiyang reminded Kevin Martin on the side.
Sure enough, Zhao Feiyang was double-teamed again when serving, and his teammates had no choice but to hand the ball over to Kevin Martin.
Kevin Martin also continued to consume time as Zhao Feiyang said. He took the ball and wandered around the half court first. After encountering the Warriors' full-court coverage, he took the ball to the other half of the court under the cover of his teammates.
The Warriors will not miss such an opportunity, let alone allow time to pass in vain. Under their tight defense, Kevin Martin finally gave the ball to Andrew Wiggins on the wing, and he executed the final attack.
Andrew Wiggins shot from the wing, but this time he still failed to hit the key three-pointer.
boom.
The basketball bounced out of the basket and the Warriors picked up the rebound.
There was not much time left, and there were only 6.1 seconds left. Stephen Curry wanted to get the ball but was blocked by Zhao Feiyang. His teammates could only transfer the ball to Klay Thompson.
At the last moment, Klay Thompson accelerated across the half court and threw the basketball high in the chaos. With all the fans watching, the basketball finally hit the backboard and bounced out.
Beep.
The whole game is over.
113 to 116.
The Warriors failed to tie the score at the last moment and lost the first game of the playoffs by 3 points!
