Champion Creed
Chapter 982: 320: The Answer You Dare Not Face (Vote for the Monthly Ticket!)_4

Chapter 982: 320: The Answer You Dare Not Face (Vote for the Monthly Ticket!)_4

Old Nelson had all three small forwards take their shot, but they ended up with a combined 1 out of 7, almost bursting his blood vessels.

Whenever they took a shot, just a little interference was enough to throw their accuracy off.

Troy Murphy could rest assured and retreat under the basket, joining Stoudemire in defending O’Neal.

Though both had poor defense, they at least had numbers on their side, which made Shaq’s offense not so dominant.

The Mavericks’ other offensive threats were also limited, with Little Prince making it difficult for Van Exel to get going, and Nowitzki, who struggled against the erratic defense of Stephen Jackson, not finding his rhythm today.

The Mavericks’ offense largely depended on Shaq, turning the game into the star duel Hubie Brown and Roger both anticipated. Under Roger’s efficient scoring, the Warriors gradually took control.

However, the Warriors’ strategy faced a dead-end with 2 minutes and 13 seconds left in the game. In a Mavericks possession, O’Neal received the ball and posted up against Stoudemire, forcing his way through their interference to attack the rim.

O’Neal was now sweating profusely, having attempted too many shots today, which posed a severe endurance test for the massive Shaq.

Yet, even so, he remained fierce in the final quarter, repeatedly scoring through the blocks of Stoudemire and Troy Murphy. For Shaq at this stage, scoring under the basket against two or three players was routine.

Seeing he’s unable to stop Shaq, Troy Murphy could only resort to fouling early.

The referee blew the whistle, and O’Neal was pushed to the ground. As he lay there, he really wanted to get up and beat Troy Murphy up; that guy had such a punchable face, and Shaq loved bullying those with punchable faces.

But considering Roger and Stephen Jackson weren’t to be trifled with, Shaq decided to humiliate in a different way.

He lay on the ground and waved at Troy Murphy: “Goodbye, long-legged girl, go pick a nice skirt for the press conference back in the locker room.”

Just then, Roger happened to walk up, entering Shaq’s view.

Shaq chattered incessantly with everyone today, but he would instantly quiet down upon seeing Roger.

Roger came up and patted Troy Murphy’s shoulder: “You did your best, go rest.”

Indeed, this play earned Troy Murphy his sixth foul, sending him out of the game.

From then on, the hindrance of the double inside defense would cease to exist.

At this moment, the Warriors led by five, but Shaquille O’Neal now only had to face Stoudemire.

If all went well, the Mavericks would have a chance to take the first game of the series.

Shaq stood at the free-throw line and made one out of two, narrowing the gap to four points, scoring his 41st point of the game, marking his 13th 40+ game in the playoffs.

O’Neal worked hard to catch his breath, just four points away from breaking the career fate curse!

Hubie Brown didn’t call a timeout because he had no better solutions left.

When Troy Murphy fouled out, the matchup turned into a private duel between Roger and Shaq.

Right now, Roger, having scored 46 points, once again held the ball as he approached Mavericks’ half-court. Raja Bell, thoroughly humiliated, struggled with all his might defensively against Roger as if he were a clown trying to make people laugh.

He was frustrated, but he didn’t dare to trash talk, making him even more frustrated.

The closer to the final moments, the more resolute the Mavericks were about not trash-talking to Roger because nobody wanted to anger Roger at the last moment; that would be the dumbest thing in the world.

Roger didn’t waste words, took a step left to bypass Raja Bell, then shot a drifting mid-range jumper—48 points!

Raja Bell was so upset that he could only take it out on the ball, picking up the ball after it fell into the net and slamming it hard onto the floor, but unfortunately, it bounced back and hit his own head, making him look even more like a clown.

“Damn it, damn it, shit!” Raja Bell was about to explode, but Shaq came over and covered his mouth.

“Almost over, Raja, hold on a bit longer!”

Roger shook his head: “Really? You guys really enjoy playing the clown?”

Raja Bell’s expression seemed as if he could bite Roger’s head off, but he still didn’t speak.

He could only hold it in.

The next possession was extremely crucial; if the Warriors’ defense succeeded, the game would be decided.

Stoudemire, on the brink of collapse, kept his eyes trained on Shaq, eager to make a successful defensive play in this critical possession. He didn’t want to be the team’s obstacle to victory, hoping he could seem even a bit helpful.

This possession, O’Neal called for the ball in the low post, and Prince stopped trying to steal but directly blocked Shaq.

O’Neal faced a double-team even without the ball!

Completely unguarded, Eduardo Nájera cut in as Van Exel passed him the ball. The Mexican headed for the basket.

Seeing the Mexican charging in, Stoudemire immediately turned to protect the basket, but Nájera threw the ball to Shaq at the moment Stoudemire turned.

Shaq leapt up as Stoudemire left him alone, Stoudemire raised both arms trying to block, but it was too late.

Shaquille O’Neal, the most dominant center of the 21st century, soared up directly over Amar’e Stoudemire for a slam, bringing the score back to just four points!