The No.1 Anti-Fans in Basketball
Chapter 251 - 149 "He is that Monkey"_2

Chapter 251: Chapter 149 "He is that Monkey"_2

Mavericks once again set up a 2-1-2 zone defense.

At this crucial moment, Carlisle’s tactical thinking was very clear.

Focus on defending Randolph on the defensive end, wear down Hansen on the offensive end.

With no opportunities in the low post, Randolph passed the ball hand-to-hand to Hansen, who took a step inside the free-throw line and shot a mid-range jumper against Marion.

"Swish!"

It hit the target again!

This scene caused the FedEx Forum to erupt into a riot.

At that time, there was no need for a close-up, as anyone could feel Hansen’s current physical condition just by observing his noticeably slower pace.

But Hansen was still able to make the shot!

That had nothing to do with physical strength anymore, it was more about willpower.

It was the muscle memory formed through countless training sessions that enabled him to do so.

"Defense! Defense!"

The crowd’s roaring cheers filled the air.

At this moment, Hollins also signaled Little Gasol on the sidelines not to switch with Nowitzki.

However, this adjustment gave Nowitzki an open opportunity, and he pulled up for a mid-range bank shot that went in.

Nowitzki in this year’s playoffs was divine.

Hansen continued to move off the ball, and this time after receiving the pass, seeing Marion rushing at him, he changed direction and drove towards the basket, executing a quick stop that faked out Chandler and then passed the ball to Randolph.

Randolph caught the slightly off pass, but at that moment, the referee’s whistle blew.

Chandler, fooled into the air and unable to stop, collided heavily with Hansen, earning his fifth personal foul of the night.

Fortunately, Chandler had made a supporting move before falling, not collapsing onto Hansen, or else Hansen would have been heavily crushed.

Randolph saw Hansen hit the ground and immediately dropped the ball to go over to him.

Battier also came along.

However, they found they couldn’t lift him when they put in the effort.

Randolph tried again but was reminded by Battier’s look.

Hansen was using every possible opportunity to rest on the ground a little longer.

It was only when the referee came over that they finally pulled Hansen up from the floor.

Because of the foul count, Hansen went straight to the free-throw line.

Even after adjusting his breathing, his hands were not soft, making both free throws.

94-all.

The score was still tied.

Turning back, Nowitzki continued to look for Hansen; this time Hansen signaled Little Gasol to switch directly.

But unlike the previous play, he didn’t passively wait for Nowitzki’s one-on-one; instead, he provided early physical resistance against Nowitzki.

Just as Nowitzki leaned in to receive the ball, Hansen suddenly pulled back.

By that stage in the game, Nowitzki didn’t have much energy left, and caught off-guard, he lost his balance.

Hansen seized the opportunity and instantly stole the ball being fed to Jide inside.

"Stolen! Hansen! Play him!" Zhang Weiping went into another climax.

The FedEx Forum also erupted in an excited roar.

A direct steal from ace to ace greatly boosted the team’s morale.

Turning back, Randolph received a feed from Little Gasol in the low post, and he power-drove to score.

After Chandler picked up his fifth personal foul, his defensive movements clearly became more cautious.

96-94.

When the game reached the final three minutes, the Grizzlies once again took the lead!

Hansen took a long breath at this moment.

That burst of rush to steal the ball was something only those who have sprinted at the end of a 3000-meter race could empathize with.

He looked up at the timer.

Three minutes, just the final three minutes.

He grabbed the corners of his jersey, bent down taking a long breath, and when he looked up again, his gaze was more resolute.

Even if Nowitzki were really a god, today he was determined to pull him down from the heavens!

Nowitzki continued to target Hansen.

This time, now wary of Hansen pulling the same move, he just backed into him briefly before stepping back to execute the Golden Chicken Stance fadeaway.

But as he released the ball, he saw Hansen suddenly appearing in front of him.

This guy, even at such a moment, could still jump so high!

He adjusted the shot’s angle in mid-air, just managing to evade Hansen’s block.

"Dang!"

The ball finally clinked off the front rim and went awry.

Just as it had been displayed at the start of the match, although Nowitzki was still formidable, his overall performance was not as good as in G1.

The same shots that he would have made under heavy pressure in G1, he couldn’t make tonight.

Little Gasol fought hard to protect the defensive rebound.

The G2 game and the extreme ways Hansen and Nowitzki exchanged blows may have been over the top, but what Hansen said after G1 wasn’t wrong.

To win the game, it was crucial to guard Nowitzki in key moments.

After he successfully defended twice, the situation on the court clearly began to favor the Grizzlies.

"Whoop that trick!"

The exclusive chant of the Grizzlies fans filled the arena.

As Hansen had said, this was their home court.

The chanting acted like a natural stimulant, boosting the spirits of the Grizzlies players.

Randolph continued to receive the ball down low, but this time the Mavericks chose to close in.

Randolph picked the right moment to pass the ball back to Little Gasol.

Upon receiving the ball and seeing no help defense, Little Gasol took a direct shot from the free-throw line!

It was evident that his confidence had truly recovered tonight.

However, unfortunately, the shot was a bit too strong, and the basketball bounced off the back rim and out.

After all, he wasn’t Paul Gasol; his mid-range touch still needed some softening.

Chandler had already contracted under the basket.

Just as Little Gasol was preparing to rush in for the rebound, a figure leaped beside him.

Hansen, in the air, tapped the ball, and like the trajectory was corrected, it obediently fell back into the net!

He no longer had the energy for a dunk, but he could still make a layup!

"Beautiful! Just beautiful! That’s Hansen!" Zhang Weiping almost stood up in excitement.

to 94.

The Grizzlies were building their advantage!

Carlisle then stood up to signify.

The Mavericks, after advancing to the front court, didn’t let Nowitzki go for a solo low post play but had Jide orchestrate a wave.

Terry, using a screen from Nowitzki, ran for a three-pointer, then Jide made a beautiful bounce pass to Nowitzki, who had cut to the basket.

Nowitzki, shaking his body, scored over the flying Randolph.

After scoring, Nowitzki high-fived Jide; these two, with their ages combined totaling 70, were still clutch in crucial moments.

The lead was cut back to one point.

At this point, there were only two minutes left in the game.

Randolph, playing strongly in the low post, drew Chandler’s sixth personal foul, sending him off the court.

For the Grizzlies, this was the best news.

However, Randolph was also greatly fatigued; he made only one of his two free throws.

With ninety seconds to go, the difference was still one point.

Jide, after advancing to the front court, gestured with his hand; the Mavericks played a three-point strategy this time.

With Chandler benched, the Mavericks didn’t bring on O’Neal, but instead Marcinmy, their third choice center, fearing another hack-a-Shaq by the Grizzlies.

Marcinmy found it hard to stop Randolph down low; they had to take a gamble.

Terry, off Nowitzki’s screen, successfully received the ball, but Little Gasol made a very decisive block; as he shot, he met strong interference.

"Clang!"

The basketball bounced off the rim!

Randolph grabbed the crucial rebound.

The Grizzlies didn’t call for a timeout.

After pushing to the front court, Conley passed the ball to Randolph down low.

The Mavericks immediately tightened their defense.

At that moment, Randolph saw Hansen.

Or perhaps Hansen had anticipated the Mavericks’ defensive strategy, preemptively creating a screen with Little Gasol and providing himself an outside three-point opportunity.

Randolph promptly passed the ball over.

Hansen, after receiving the pass, took a direct three-point shot.

Nowitzki, though not quick to defend, desperately leaped forward.

He had used up all his energy because if he let Hansen score this three-pointer, the game would’ve ended early.

Hansen didn’t dodge; he faced Nowitzki and released the shot.

"Slap!"

Nowitzki’s block hit Hansen’s hand.

Hansen, out of energy, couldn’t maintain his balance in the air; he skidded backward and fell to the ground.

Before falling, he saw the basketball shoot through the hoop.

"Swish!"

The crisp sound echoed, and FedEx Forum erupted into a boiling sea.

to 96!

With 45 seconds left in the game, the Grizzlies had taken a six-point lead.

Moreover, Hansen was going to take a free throw!

The game was decided!

"Hey! Called yourself the Silver Horned King, right? Our Hansen, that’s the Great Sage Equal to Heaven!" Zhang Weiping was as delighted as a child in the commentary booth.