589: 211: Atlanta Curse (Request for Monthly Pass!) _2 589: 211: Atlanta Curse (Request for Monthly Pass!) _2 O’Neal’s consecutive missed free throws at the last moments had wasted his team’s effort throughout the night.
2-0, Los Angeles fans were shocked.
Last season, the Orlando Magic had swept the Jazz 4-1 in a gentleman’s fashion, and the gap in strength between the two was obvious at a glance.
But this season, without Roger by Shaq’s side, he couldn’t even steal a single victory from the Jazz.
At the post-game press conference, Shaq didn’t mention his terrible free throws, but only said, “See you at home!”
Just like that, the Lakers trailed the Jazz 0-2, stealing all the headlines from the Pacers.
The Baby-Faced Assassin commented on O’Neal: “Young people often mistake the success brought by their environment for their own achievements.
Shaq thought his success came from himself, so he couldn’t wait to step out of that environment.
The result is, reality slapped him hard.”
Of course, the series is a best-of-seven.
In NBA history, it’s not unheard of to come back from 0-2 and eventually win.
No one knows if O’Neal would be the last winner.
What’s certain is, O’Neal was deeply saddened by this.
Because once he got back to Los Angeles, he went clubbing until two in the morning and only brought one woman home.
Usually, he would be going home at dawn at five in the morning.
On the other hand, Reggie Miller couldn’t sleep either.
Ever since the Pacers fell behind 0-2, Reggie Miller had lost all appetite.
He even felt embarrassed to walk on the street, because he felt he had let the whole city down.
Even though his mansion was burned down last year, Reggie Miller’s feelings for Indianapolis had not changed.
The next day when he went to training, Miller was listless.
Tomorrow’s Eastern Conference Finals Game 3 could almost decide the fate of the Pacers.
Because a trailing score of 0-3 is irreversible.
But Reggie Miller couldn’t get excited; he felt the team was already doomed.
After training that day, the reporters who came for interviews had already begun to raise questions.
“Reggie, if the Pacers lose this round and someone must be responsible, who do you think it should be?”
Reggie Miller felt the question was targeting him, but it was Larry who appeared in front of the camera: “As the head coach, I should be accountable for all losses.”
“Larry, you didn’t even play.”
“But I am the architect of this team, if there’s a flaw in the team’s foundation, shouldn’t I be blamed?
If we lose this round, I am the biggest problem.
That’s all for the interview.”
Reggie Miller looked at Bird; it wasn’t the first time he had done this in the season.
If the team wins, Bird credits all the achievements to the assistant coaches, the players, and his staff; you seldom see Bird celebrating after a victory.
On the other hand, if the team loses, the whole burden falls on his shoulders.
He had been all season.
After shooing away the reporters, Bird turned to look at the disheartened Reggie Miller.
“Never fucking give up on a game early!
Reggie Miller took a deep breath.
Don’t be embarrassed, Reggie!
The day before Western Finals Game 3, Eastern Finals Game 3 started first.
Reggie Miller set a great example for O’Neal.
Game 3 of the series returned to Indianapolis.
The basketball passion of the city did not fade despite trailing 0-2; they trusted Bird, they trusted Reggie Miller.
And the Pacers reciprocated their fans’ trust.
At the start of the game, the Pacers blossomed from multiple points.
Mark Jackson, Rik Smits, and even Jalen Rose from the bench had great offensive performances.
Reggie Miller didn’t shoot much, but his shooting accuracy was no longer as exaggerated as in the past two games.
Maintaining their defensive intensity, the Pacers revitalized their offense.
At home, they seemed to refind all their energy.
In the fourth quarter, Roger began his offense.
Time and time again, he made trouble for the Pacers in mid-range, and with 4 minutes left in the game, Roger had extended the lead to 8 points.
The fans in Indianapolis were somewhat desperate, and the Pacers’ players also seemed deflated.
After all this effort, were they truly going to lose with the same outcome?
It was then that Reggie Miller shouted, “Don’t worry, look how nervous they are, almost suffocating!
We still have a chance; they are going to die here!”
Pippen felt like his opponent had changed into someone else.
Reggie Miller tirelessly ran, caught, and shot.
His shooting was incredibly hot, as if every time he caught the ball, a jump shot was assured.
In the last 4 minutes, Reggie Miller continued to score, netting 14 points over Pippen!
With 4.3 seconds left in the game, when Reggie Miller hit a three-pointer against Pippen’s defense, the fans in the stadium all stood up and shouted, “Score right in your face, Scott!
Then Miller slightly smiled, showing four fingers: “Four threes, Scotty dog, is that enough to feed you?”
That three-pointer gave the Pacers a 4-point lead in the closing moments, after which Roger’s long-range three missed, and the Pacers tenaciously claimed a victory on their home court.
They really won against the MVP for once!
Lean, lacking outstanding physical attributes.