The No.1 Anti-Fans in Basketball
Chapter 653 - 316: Please Accept Gilbert’s Knees! (Part 2)

Chapter 653: Chapter 316: Please Accept Gilbert’s Knees! (Part 2)

It seems Durant’s desire for victory tonight has overcome his instincts.

Hansen still hasn’t found his shooting touch from the perimeter this quarter; it’s like a mad woman you can’t easily appease.

However, Hansen’s drives to the basket became more determined this quarter, leading to a rapid accumulation of fouls against the Heat, forcing Riley to broaden his rotation.

This resulted in a noticeable decline in the Heat’s offensive efficiency on the court.

Every strategy has its cost, and Hansen is making Riley pay that price.

Another piece of good news for the Cavaliers is that with Hansen’s aggressive defense, Durant’s shooting touch also started to decline this quarter.

By the end of the third quarter, the Cavaliers had narrowed the score to 75-80.

However, when the game entered the final quarter, the Heat’s depth began to show.

Although not in Riley’s plan, it was indeed an advantage the Heat has always had.

When the starters returned, the Heat widened the lead to double digits again.

Moreover, after returning, Durant’s shooting touch also came back.

Still, it’s like they say, God is always fair, and Hansen finally "coaxed" his three-point shooting touch back.

The game seemed to return to Game 4, with the final quarter becoming a scoring duel between Durant and Hansen.

However, this time the difference was that the Cavaliers entered the decisive moments trailing by double digits.

When the time reached the last minute and a half, the Cavaliers still trailed the Heat by eight points at 100-108.

The Cavaliers called a timeout.

As Hansen came off the court, he saw Riley sitting there with a satisfied smile.

It was as if even as a coach, he was still the Divine Calculator, having already calculated the final outcome of the game by halftime.

"The Cavaliers should consider how to play Game 7 on the road." Barkley remarked from the commentary booth.

Even though he supports Hansen, tonight the Heat, especially Durant, performed too well; this was the Heat’s night.

In the box, Gilbert was already planning to travel with the team to Miami.

Although the Heat has a better chance as the home team in Game 7, they previously won the Heavenly King Mountain on the road, so Game 7 is not without opportunities.

The whistle signaling the end of the timeout sounded from the sidelines.

As the Cavaliers players took to the court, Malone cast his gaze at Hansen’s back.

"Give me the ball, and I’ll take you to the finals."

Maybe only when the person saying this is Hansen, you feel it’s possible.

Irving quickly advanced the ball to the frontcourt and then passed it to Jokic at the top of the arc.

The Cavaliers’ final moment strategy was to get the ball to Hansen, but with Malone as their coach rather than Tyronn Lue, Malone had a tactical design on how to give the ball to Hansen.

Jokic, besides Hansen, has the best passing ability on the Cavaliers, and with a high basketball IQ, he was the most suitable for this task.

The hand-off between Hansen and Jokic, but the Heat’s defense all lunged at Hansen.

After Hansen hit his first three-pointer in the fourth quarter, Riley already knew he’d regained his perimeter touch, and the defense was more aggressive.

However, after catching the ball, Hansen didn’t shoot immediately but made a big crossover, using Jokic’s body for a second screen.

Or rather, it was a variant version of [Cunningham’s pick-and-roll].

Jokic also reacted quickly, turning around instantly to block the defender.

Hansen took a pull-up three after the crossover.

Riley’s eyelid twitched instinctively.

"Swish!"

The crisp sound of a ball going through the net came, and Quicken Loans Arena erupted in an instant.

"Stop him! Don’t let him shoot threes!"

Riley once again lost the demeanor of the Godfather; he knew letting Hansen continuously hit threes, any lead wouldn’t be enough!

Dragic brought the ball across halfcourt and began running down the clock.

Time is now the Cavaliers’ biggest enemy and something the Heat must utilize well.

After a full 14 seconds were consumed, Dragic passed the ball to Durant.

Durant, locked down by Hansen with no opportunity, passed to Wade, who dashed inside and released a floater.

Almost simultaneously with the whistle, the basketball fell into the net, causing a commotion on site.

Wade, in the final moments, also found his touch; even God seemed to want the Heat to win tonight’s game.

At this time, only 55 seconds remained before the game ended.

Irving efficiently advanced to the front court and quickly handed the ball to Jokic.

Hansen continued moving towards Jokic, and all the Heat players rushed to the outside.

They showed their execution, not allowing Hansen another outside shot.

However, at this moment, Hansen suddenly turned and charged inside.

Jokic, with quick eyes and hands, flung the ball towards him.

As Hansen caught the ball, he immediately shook off the defender, with only Deng retreating under the basket in front of him.

Deng again defended fiercely, pulling Hansen down, but Hansen still managed to release the shot after being fouled.

This time after tracing a small parabola, the basketball slid into the basket.

Deng shook his head helplessly when seeing the basket.

Hansen’s touch had already fully returned.

Riley also stood and walked to the sideline, pacing back and forth, his actions showing his unease at the moment.

Hansen made the additional free throw; the 2+1 was equivalent to a three-pointer, and the gap narrowed to four points.

Dragic continued running down the clock in the frontcourt, but Irving’s defense was aggressive, forcing him to dribble with his back to the defender.