Champion Creed
Chapter 849 - 849 282 There are no small roles here; everyone is a big character!

849: 282: There are no small roles here; everyone is a big character!

(Requesting monthly votes!)_4 849: 282: There are no small roles here; everyone is a big character!

(Requesting monthly votes!)_4 In the second quarter, Roger personally defended Kobe, weakening Kobe’s terrifying firepower.

However, Grant Hill transformed into a sharp dagger, using stop-and-pop jumpers after breakthroughs to cause the Hawks plenty of trouble.

Additionally, Shaq started to exert force in attacking the paint, and the Lakers quickly gained the advantage.

By halftime, the Lakers had completed a comeback, leading 56-50, with the Hawks trailing by 4 points.

Bill Simmons was absolutely right; this would be a blood-splattering series, with no easy victory between the Lakers and the Hawks.

After the first half, everyone could see what the deciding factor in today’s game was.

The key for the Hawks was whether players other than Roger could shoulder the heavy responsibility.

And for the Lakers, the key was whether Grant Hill and Shaq could kill the game after Kobe was restrained by Roger.

In the continuation of the second half, Jeff Hornacek hit two out of three three-pointers in his limited playing time.

Those two three-pointers both helped the Hawks lead the score at the time.

Moreover, when Hornacek was on the court, Roger could score through off-ball plays.

On the Lakers’ side, O’Neal was again restricted from catching the ball by fronting defense.

And because Robert Horry and Rick Fox were both off their game today, the Hawks’ power forward could double-team Shaq without any reservations.

But Grant Hill’s touch remained hot, taking on most of what was originally Kobe and Shaq’s workload.

The third quarter saw both sides evenly matched, finishing 76 to 76 tied.

Clearly, the Lakers’ strategy still hadn’t worked, as the Hawks players efficiently capitalized on opportunities created by the Lakers’ double-teaming of Roger.

Paul Pierce finished the three quarters with 29 points, shooting 56%.

Jeff Hornacek had 11 points, with three three-pointers made out of five attempts, along with four assists.

Roger had 28 points but had already dished out 10 assists.

In the fourth quarter, Phil Jackson decided to let the big three play the entire quarter.

The Zen Master isn’t the kind of coach who enjoys running players into the ground, but this is entirely out of necessity.

He hadn’t forgotten the scene of losing to the Hawks in the regular season, where in the fourth quarter, when Kobe, Hill, and Shaq took turns resting, leaving only two stars on the court, the Lakers were completely helpless against the Hawks.

So the Zen Master adjusted the rotation strategy, allowing them to play the entire fourth quarter.

This way, Grant Hill’s playing time would increase to 44 minutes, Shaq to 45 minutes, and Kobe was the most exaggerated, having only rested a while in the third quarter.

So if he played the entire fourth quarter, his playing time would reach 47 minutes!

This isn’t the Zen Master’s preferred rotation method, but there’s no choice; it’s already the finals.

If you don’t bleed and sweat now, when will you?

The Lakers’ big three caused the Hawks to trail most of the fourth quarter, even forcing Roger to start taking contested shots under double-teaming.

With three minutes left in the fourth quarter, Lenny Wilkens sent Jeff Hornacek back on the court.

Phil Jackson gritted his teeth, never expecting that this old white guy planning to retire would become a problem.

Jeff Hornacek didn’t score much, but in such a close game with only a one or two-point difference, any three-pointer could potentially change the game.

Leave him open?

Hadn’t the problems he caused in the fourth quarter of the previous game been enough?

But if they went to defend Hornacek, they’d have to give up the double-team on Roger beyond the three-point line.

The Zen Master steeled himself; he didn’t believe such a minor player could sway victory on such a grand stage.

So he waved his hand to continue the double-team on Roger!

Then Phil Jackson paid the price for it.

With two minutes left in the game, the Hawks fell behind by 3 points, Paul Pierce had missed two consecutive shots, and Kobe was furiously harassing Roger, preventing him from getting a chance to catch the ball.

Finally, Roger had no choice but to make a handoff pass to Hornacek to gain possession.

But the moment he caught the ball, Roger was double-teamed by Kobe and Ron Harper.

Roger forced a breakthrough, attracting more defenders.

Just as the Zen Master had arranged, the Lakers persistently defended Roger tightly.

In the original timeline’s 1998 Finals, Michael Jordan, this gambler, made a similar gamble.

Back then, with the Bulls trailing by 1 point, Jordan didn’t choose to stay with the dangerous Hornacek but instead left him to make a sudden assault on Malone’s side, stealing the ball from the Mailman.

Everyone knows what happened afterward; it was the last shadow of Michael Jordan at his peak, and the most legendary game-winner.

And Roger didn’t make Karl Malone’s mistake.

Roger leapt up with effort, creating passing space on a vertical level, and then with a pass like a magician, he found Hornacek, who was already well-prepared.

“They’re like family, so in sync!” Magic reiterated the old story.

Hornacek, this small figure, held the dagger at this incredibly crucial moment, deciding the game.

With his knees full of scars, he jumped and shot steadily.

At that moment, his mind echoed with only one thought: “My goal is to do everything I can to help Roger build a dynasty; this is my only chance in this life to be associated with the word ‘great.'”

“Jeff Hornacek hits the three-pointer, it’s him again, it’s him again!

This playoff season, he’s been the executioner in the fourth quarter countless times!

Until now, he’s only shot this one attempt in the entire fourth quarter, but the value of this one shot is immeasurable!” Marv Albert beside Magic couldn’t contain his emotions.

The score was tied by Hornacek, and the Philips Arena erupted like a tsunami.