Douby had said he would create opportunities for Su Yan.
But that didn't mean... relying solely on him to attack. He was just at the top of the arc on the right, with a defender in front of him.
Passing directly to Gallinari in the right corner.
It would be difficult and easily intercepted. If Su Yan acted as an intermediate, the opportunity would surely arise.
Obviously.
Gallinari, who is also a shooter, had a better opportunity.
Yet, Su Yan shot a super long Three-point Shot directly, as if he had made some sort of desperate decision, disregarding everything.
This was an ill-advised shot attempt.
No wonder Douby was furious.
However... for Su Yan, who possesses the [Max Level Three-Pointer], his Three-point Shots defied logic.
But they went in.
Douby swallowed the words he was about to say, performing a Sichuan Opera face-change just like Larry Hughes before him.
How many?
His seventh Three-point Shot.
The Thunder didn't pay much attention to the first five, which Su Yan shot easily, and he slowly found opportunities for the last two.
But he seized them.
In short: Su Yan hit seven Three-point Shots during so-called garbage time, helping the team reduce what was once a 20-point deficit.
To just one point.
More importantly, after this game, he would earn at least $21,000 USD.
Yet, the 10-day short-term contract he signed was only worth $20,000 USD in total.
This was truly awesome.
"I'm making bank, hehehe~"
Su Yan was as happy as an idiot.
Harden saw this and looked disdainful, "Look at you, getting excited over so little. I scored 30 points, am I bragging about it?!
Although it was efficient.
But don't get it wrong, your team is still trailing by 1 point. If you lose, it will definitely be a milestone!"
20.9 seconds left.
Durant held the ball. Theoretically, if they just ran out the clock, they could secure the victory.
The New York Knicks were not willing to let that happen.
"Full-court trap!"
D'Antoni yelled from the sidelines.
Everyone understood. Gallinari, Douby, Su Yan, and the entire New York Knicks team pressed full-court.
If they could stop them, great.
If not, they had to foul.
The thunders big three took turns receiving the ball, denying the New York Knicks a chance to steal it. It didn't matter if they didn't shoot themselves.
Time continued to tick away.
20.9 seconds.
15.3 seconds.
10.7 seconds.
5.8 seconds.
They still couldn't steal the ball. David Lee saw there was no alternative and decisively fouled Harden, who was holding the ball.
Sending him to the free-throw line.
So far this season.
Durant's free-throw percentage was 90%, Harden's 80%, and Westbrook's 78%.
It seemed best to let Westbrook shoot the free throws.
But David Lee's thinking was that Harden was still a rookie and might not withstand the pressure in a clutch moment.
This consideration was correct.
"Clang!"
"Swish!"
The slightly immature Harden was indeed under immense pressure.
He missed the first free throw, and the second one bounced twice on the rim before tumbling in.
One of two free throws made.
Harden, you are truly nervous.
Su Yan saw Harden's terrible free throw and really wanted to tell him, "Have a bottle of Maimai."
Not in the zone during the critical moment? Anytime, anywhere, Maimai brings you back!!!
The difference is two points.
There are still 5.8 seconds left.
"Beep! Beep!"
D'Antoni called a timeout.
He said solemnly, "5.8 seconds is plenty of time. We can execute one complete offensive play.
Prioritize finding Su Yan for a game-winning Three-point Shot.
Or, play safe, create an opportunity for David Lee under the basket, and force the game into overtime first!"
"Understood."
Everyone agreed.
D'Antoni patted Su Yan's shoulder again and encouraged him, "Su Yan, don't be nervous, relax.
You have done well enough tonight.
Don't feel any pressure now. Play with the same mentality as before, and if an opportunity arises, shoot decisively.
We all believe in you."
You don't need to tell me that. As long as you dare to give me the chance, I will definitely shoot.
Come on.
If it goes in, that's $3,000 USD. If it misses and we lose, I still lose nothing.
Don't worry, I'm not nervous at all. I'll take the ball and just go for it.
Su Yan's expression was firm. He said earnestly, "Understood, Coach! I will strive to make the shot!!!"
On the Thunder's side.
Their defensive strategy was to concede two points but guard the Three-point Shot. As long as they weren't hit with a game-winner, everything was possible.
The key: Shut down Su Yan.
Although no one respected him, he had genuinely hit seven Three-point Shots, making him impossible to ignore.
Shortly after.
The main game resumed.
"Boom!"
The home New York Knicks fans let out a deafening cheer; everyone was waiting to see a game-winner.
And it wasn't just a game-winner.
If the New York Knicks won, it would be an epic comeback, a 20-point major reversal.
A 20-point reversal + a game-winner + ending a 10-game losing streak.
New York Knicks fans were desperate for this.
This would surely explode across the league.
David Lee, who is tall and has some ball-handling ability, inbounded the ball near the mid-court sideline, while the three major shooters—Harrington, Gallinari, and Su Yan—ran routes.
On the Thunder's side.
Durant and Harden were both chasing Su Yan, and everyone else was also focused on Su Yan, preventing him from getting a chance to receive the ball.
On the New York Knicks' side.
Gallinari, Harrington, and Douby appeared to be running routes for opportunities, but they were actually setting screens for Su Yan.
"???"
At the commentator's table.
Reggie Miller couldn't help but exclaim upon seeing this, "Su Yan, a bench warmer, has now become the offensive and defensive focal point for both teams.
The Thunder are glued to him, preventing him from shooting.
The New York Knicks are relying on him, creating Three-point Shot opportunities for him.
It's truly rare for an Undrafted Player to receive this kind of attention in the decisive moments!!!"
"Haha!"
Barkley rubbed his shining forehead and laughed, "If you hit seven Three-point Shots in five minutes, you'd get this treatment too."
On the court.
Su Yan used the screens, constantly running back and forth, trying to shake off Durant and Harden to find a chance to receive the ball.
But the "thunders big three" have astonishing talent and saw through the New York Knicks' offensive strategy, focusing solely on Su Yan.
He couldn't shake them off at all.
What to do?
Should they let the other players shoot a Three-point Shot?
Too risky.
Su Yan wouldn't agree either; if someone else shot, the $3,000 USD bonus was gone, which felt worse than being killed.
"I need the ball!"
Su Yan gritted his teeth and dashed straight out, rushing to an area on the perimeter near the logo area.
David Lee was also determined to find Su Yan and trusted him.
"Whoosh~"
Although the logo position wasn't ideal, receiving the ball first was crucial, or else a five-second violation on the inbound would ruin everything.
"Clap!"
Su Yan successfully received the ball.
Even in the logo area, if he were unguarded, Su Yan's Three-point Shot level—which surpassed peak Curry and even reached the Xuanhuan Three-Point Shot level—meant.
He would dare to shoot.
However... Harden still chased him out, giving Su Yan no chance for a comfortable shot.
A contested shot from the logo?
That was not rational.
Time was running out. Su Yan had no time to think. The moment he caught the ball, he accelerated and dashed toward the right wing.
No shot from the logo.
He was also certain that Harden, who was glued to him, wouldn't dare move recklessly; a foul on a Three-point Shot would also ruin everything.
5.8 seconds.
4.7 seconds.
3.2 seconds.
Su Yan rushed to the top of the right arc, but he hadn't shaken off Harden, and time was running very low.
"Tear!"
Su Yan suddenly executed a sharp stop, then instinctively took a large step back to the right, creating half a body length of space between himself and Harden.
Without hesitation, he launched a Three-point Shot while fading away, firing it over Harden's Blocking attempt.
The shot was released with 2.4 seconds left.
As the spinning ball flew through the air toward the hoop, the clock expired and the red light flashed.
Everything depended on this one Three-point Shot.
Miss, loss.
Hit, game-winner!!!