Chapter 686: A Suffocating Feeling
Both sides went back and forth, exchanging blows on offense and defense.
With 1 minute and 8 seconds left in the 3rd quarter, Chen Yan scored his 50th point of the game with 2 free throws.
With 48 seconds left in the 3rd quarter, Chen Yan grabbed his 10th rebound of the game.
In the final 4 seconds of the 3rd quarter, Chen Yan drove and dished to Battier, assisting him on a mid range jumper and earning his 10th assist of the game.
At the end of 3 quarters, Chen Yan had already produced a super stat line of 50 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
The Knicks also led by 7 points, 99 to 92.
"Chen Yan's performance tonight has been perfect," Kenny Smith said. "He has activated the entire team almost by himself."
"Chen has scored 50 points on only 26 shots," Barkley said. "While putting up huge scoring numbers, he has not swallowed up too many of the team's attempts. Curry already has 22 points too."
In the 4th quarter, Nelson gritted his teeth and continued playing Chen Yan, preparing to let him finish the entire game.
This was the most important Game 5 of the series. Whoever won this battle would hold match point and control the initiative.
There could be no slack.
"Chen, this is the last quarter. Attack without holding anything back. Unleash your firepower. The 2 big men must be ready to come up and set screens for him at any time. Everyone else, pay attention to your spacing and be ready to receive Chen's passes."
In the final quarter, Boston made a substitution, bringing back Daniels, who had 5 fouls.
Daniels could not stop Chen Yan, but he was already Boston's best perimeter defender.
Rose dribbled past half court and passed to Daniels, who then ran a pick and roll with Stoudemire.
Stoudemire received the ball in the middle and used his explosiveness to take a hop step inside, forcing Kenyon Martin to foul him.
Stoudemire tossed the ball up with 1 hand, and it rolled around the rim before falling out.
It had nearly become a 2 plus 1.
Stoudemire slapped his hand in frustration, but this possession was still successful. At least he earned 2 free throw opportunities, and Kenyon Martin also picked up a foul.
Stoudemire made 1 of 2 free throws, bringing the score to 99 to 93.
New York offense.
Chen Yan made an off ball cut. The moment he received the ball, he immediately passed it to Battier on the perimeter, then cut toward the right baseline.
Chen Yan's movement made the Celtics feel ashamed.
He had only rested for 4 minutes so far tonight, and he was very likely to play the entire 4th quarter.
With that kind of playing time, he still dared to make such wide range movements.
Chen Yan truly lived up to the title of stamina monster.
Kenyon Martin set an off ball screen for Chen Yan, and Chen Yan repositioned himself by cutting back into the paint.
Battier quickly sent the ball inside.
After receiving the ball, Chen Yan faked, got Kostic to bite, then made a half turn and scored a reverse layup.
101 to 93.
"Gorgeous footwork," Barkley said. "Kostic fell for it completely."
"With Chen's footwork and technique, it is hard for Kostic not to fall for it," Kenny Smith said with a smile.
Daniels was in great pain.
Psychological pain.
He had rested for an entire quarter on the bench, but he still could not keep up with Chen Yan, who had played almost the entire game.
Daniels had guarded Chen Yan for 5 games in this series, and he had only 1 thought.
This guy is a monster.
Chen Yan was that kind of player.
While defending him, opponents would gradually start to feel fear.
However, someone was even more distressed than Daniels.
Durant.
Durant had been torched by Chen Yan on defense in the 3rd quarter, and his personal stats were completely incomparable to Chen Yan's.
If Boston lost Game 5, Durant knew exactly how the media would compare the 2 of them.
After crossing half court, Durant called for a pick and roll and immediately passed the ball out after being double teamed.
Stoudemire drove inside after getting the ball, absorbed contact, hung in the air, and made the layup.
101 to 95.
Stoudemire was full of impact, already scoring 3 straight points at the start of the 4th quarter.
New York offense.
Curry held the ball at the top of the arc, while Chen Yan ran from the baseline to the high post.
Daniels stuck close, refusing to let Chen Yan receive the ball.
Curry passed to Battier to keep the offense moving.
Chen Yan did not receive the ball until there were 13 seconds left on the shot clock.
Although Daniels could not guard Chen Yan, his mad dog defense still annoyed him.
Chen Yan's 1st reaction after receiving the ball was to take this guy out of the game.
Chen Yan continuously dribbled between his legs, shifting Daniels defensive center of gravity.
Chen Yan was not in a hurry to drive or shoot.
He wanted to make Daniels anxious.
Only when Daniels became anxious would he be more prone to mistakes, and only then would Chen Yan have a chance to draw a foul on him.
Daniels felt dizzy.
His hands and feet seemed unable to keep up with his brain.
With 7 seconds left on the shot clock, Chen Yan made a crossover step back.
Daniels instinctively took 1 step forward, but he did not jump.
Chen Yan's mind worked quickly.
There was no chance to draw the foul, but there was a chance to drive.
He decisively changed strategy, lowered his center of gravity, and charged inside.
Stoudemire tried to help defend, but he was blocked by Kenyon Martin.
Only Kostic remained in the paint.
Kostic covered his groin with both hands, intending to draw a charge from Chen Yan.
He knew that going head to head with Chen Yan in explosiveness would never work.
Chen Yan had already built up speed, and he was about to collide with Kostic after jumping into the air.
Chen Yan twisted his body, used a scoop layup to avoid Kostic, and scored with his left hand.
Unparalleled body control.
The fans at the scene could only marvel.
103 to 95.
After making this shot, Chen Yan's scoring total had already risen to 54 points.
Only a handful of players could score 50 or more in the Playoffs, but tonight, no commentator was hyping up Chen Yan scoring 50 plus.
For Chen Yan, this was no longer something new.
Boston offense.
Stoudemire continued to exert force.
This time, after receiving a pass from Rose off the pick and roll, he aggressively drove to the basket.
He scored and drew a foul from Kenyon Martin.
Martin was helpless.
Stoudemire's physical condition and athletic quality were indeed much better than his.
As long as Stoudemire got going, he was like a beast released from its cage.
Stoudemire made the free throw, and the score became 103 to 98.
Stoudemire opened up the inside, and Rose and Durant also found it easier to play on the perimeter.
For these few minutes, Boston's firepower was strong, and both sides were locked in a fierce battle.
The game quickly reached the final 2 and a half minutes.
The score was 119 to 116.
New York temporarily led by 3 points.
Boston possession.
Rose dribbled past half court, carefully protecting the ball with his back.
Every upcoming possession could affect the final outcome of the game.
Rose attempted to drive from the 45 degree angle outside the 3 point line.
Curry's position was excellent, preventing Rose from penetrating.
Rose did not force it either.
This was only a probing drive.
Boston's goal on this possession was to find the most suitable shooting opportunity and calmly put the ball into the basket.
Rose retreated beyond the 3 point line and suddenly gathered the ball.
Durant used a screen to cut to the edge of the paint.
Battier immediately went over the screen to chase him, and Rose quickly passed the ball with both hands.
Durant immediately turned after receiving the ball and made a short 1 handed floater.
Durant used his height, wingspan, and soft touch to make the shot.
Battier was helpless.
The arena erupted in cheers.
After scoring, Durant immediately motioned for his teammates to get back on defense.
119 to 118.
Only a 1 point difference remained.
Amid the noise of the home fans, Curry dribbled past half court.
Battier cut to the wing to catch a possible 3 point shot.
Durant followed closely, refusing to give Battier an open look.
Curry went up for a hand off and received the ball again.
During this process, Boston heavily guarded Chen Yan.
Weaver, Stoudemire, and Kostic took turns double teaming him.
Daniels had already been fouled out by Chen Yan 6 minutes earlier.
Al Harrington came up to screen, and Curry drove inside with great determination.
This was a sign of Curry's growth.
He was becoming more decisive in crucial moments.
Curry shot a floater a small step from the free throw line.
The shot was somewhat forced.
Rose's defensive pressure was immense.
The ball hit the front rim and bounced out.
Chen Yan cut in from the baseline, overpowered Stoudemire, and scored with a single tip for the putback layup.
121 to 118.
Both sides continued delivering high quality offense and defense in the final moments of the game.
This Game 5 was suffocating.
.....
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