Although the gap on the scoreboard hadn't widened much, the Wildcats were beginning to lose montum.
Maybe that's why North Carolina's coach, Roy Williams, still hadn't called a tiout again.
With 5:21 left in the first half, it was Wildcats coach McKillop who finally caved and called for a tiout.
The score? 28–26.
The Wildcats were clinging to a fragile lead.
Stephen Curry, one of the team's stars, was being shadowed the whole ga and only had 6 points so far. Honestly, the only reason the Wildcats were still ahead was because Lin Yi ca out blazing—he already had 18 points, knocking down shots like it was nothing.
As assistant coach Jennings handed Lin Yi a bottle of electrolyte drink, he also got to work loosening up his muscles with a quick massage. So of the bench players who hadn't done much so far started helping out too, trying to support the starters however they could.
.....
Over in the press box, Qi Jun looked over at Wu Xiaolei, who seed kind of out of it.
"Sis Xiaolei, you okay?"
"I'm fine… just a little emotional," she said softly. After a pause, she added, "Lin Yi's playing out of his mind tonight."
Qi Jun nodded. "Yeah, he's on fire."
"Lin Yi's jumper," Wu Xiaolei said, almost to herself, "it's not just accurate—it's poetic. freedom in the way he shoots… He's not copying anyone. He's made it his own. Watching him, I finally get it—big n can be beautiful shooters too."
Qi Jun: "…"
Sis Xiaolei, you sure you're not a poet in disguise?
anwhile, in the stands, Dwyane Wade said flatly, "If this keeps up, the Wildcats are gonna lose."
LeBron and Kobe didn't say a word. They knew what Lin Yi was feeling right now.
"…Maybe it's not over yet," Kobe finally said.
Up in the crowd, Dell Curry was resisting the urge to deck his old teammate Vince Carter, who was jumping up and screaming every single ti North Carolina made a bucket.
...
Back on the court, the tiout ended, and the crowd was roaring again.
The Wildcats made so changes.
Lin Yi knew he couldn't keep soloing. If this kept up, he'd burn out.
Harden's story could easily beco his.
He had to get Stephen Curry going again.
Curry was thinking the sa thing. But after bricking a three, North Carolina capitalized with a triple of their own—Danny Green nailed it.
North Carolina!!
North Carolina!!
North Carolina!!
The crowd was electric. The sea of light blue flags was like a storm sweeping over the arena. It felt like the Tar Heels had just activated a BUFF in a video ga.
That shot sparked a 0-10 North Carolina run.
28–36.
The Wildcats were officially on the edge.
Fans across Arica watching from ho were starting to feel it. The Wildcats were looking like a mouse being bullied by a cat for giggles, they weren't supposed to lose like this. Could the miracle be ending?
Even Dell Curry felt like he didn't recognize his son tonight.
Stephen was struggling. Danny Green stuck to him like glue, and Ty Lawson was right there to help. North Carolina's defense knew the deal: shut down Steph, break the connection with Lin Yi, and everything else would fall apart.
Their pressure was relentless.
...
Back in Oklahoma, Blake Griffin watched the ga in silence, clutching his nutrition drink. He'd failed to take down North Carolina—and now, it looked like the Wildcats might get crushed too. Was anyone good enough to beat this team?
Jas Harden had ant to go out after getting back to Phoenix, but sothing made him flip on the TV. He sat down quietly. He swore he had plans. But now, watching the ga, he even had doubts. If Lin Yi and Steph can't close the gap, does anyone stand a chance?
DeMar DeRozan, Jonny Flynn, and a whole pack of 2009 draft hopefuls sat watching, too.
...
Courtside, LeBron and Wade exchanged a glance.
Maybe it was ti to start putting that plan into motion.
Because basketball? It's never a one-man ga.
"Steph," Lin Yi said suddenly on the court, lightly patting Curry's shoulder. "If this was a best-of-seven series, we probably wouldn't have a shot."
Curry looked up, confused.
"But tonight?" Lin Yi grinned. "It's just one ga. And in one ga? We've got a chance."
"You're the best shooter in the world."
With that, Lin Yi sprinted toward North Carolina's half.
Curry closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
This was it. Their last year.
They didn't co here to admire North Carolina.
They ca here to beat them.
A shooter who can be shut down without a fight isn't a shooter.
Steph Curry is called a generational shooter for a reason—because he's HIM.
Steph grabbed the rock from a back pass from Lin, crossed over a defender or two, behind-the-back, and pulled up from eight ters out—right in a defender's face.
No hesitation.
Clank!
The shot rimd out, but Steph didn't sulk—he sprinted to the corner.
Every shooter needs confidence.
But even the best shooter needs soone to grab a board.
That's where Lin Yi ca in.
Height was his weapon, and tonight, he stood above everyone.
Ed Davis from North Carolina leapt for the rebound… but froze when Lin Yi got there first. Lin Yi's eyes were already scanning—he'd spotted Steph getting free.
With the softest touch, Lin Yi tipped the ball right to Curry.
Steph was locked in. Aid. Fired.
Ty Lawson's closeout was too late.
Swish!
He nailed it.
Curry didn't celebrate.
He turned and bumped fists with Lin Yi.
This wasn't about individual heroics.
This was their mont—together.
On the other end, North Carolina's Hansbrough muscled his way in for a layup, but just as he rose.
Smack!
Lin Yi spiked it out of the air.
Beasley grabbed the board and imdiately hit Lin Yi with the outlet pass.
And just like that—
Lin Yi launched a long bomb downcourt.
Curry caught it in stride.
Pulled up from the break—
BANG!
34–36.
Lucas Oil Stadium was shaking.
The storm had arrived.
The Wildcats were back.
....
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