章 125: 1.2 seconds
The arena roars like a landslide or a tsunami as Carlos earns the three-point foul. The excitement and enthusiasm among the Suns fans eclipse anything previously felt, even after Curry's three-pointer. Because now, with Carlos at the line for three shots, if he makes them, the game could turn around completely. The Suns could tie the game and take it into overtime. How could they not be thrilled?
The Suns fans are ecstatic, but the Spurs fans, who had begun to celebrate, are now dizzy with disbelief. The situation has changed so drastically within a minute that the Suns might actually force overtime. The Spurs fans, unable to muster a smile, silently hope for Carlos to miss at least one free throw.
On the court...
Parker is silent.
Ginobili seems dazed, as he had seemingly secured the victory earlier, only to see it slip away in the blink of an eye.
Duncan stares at Carlos, his self-reproach shaking his confidence. From that exceptional 3+1 play that brought a 4-point gain, to the assist for Curry's three-pointer, and now this three-point foul, Duncan realizes...
In this last minute, Carlos is single-handedly leading his team's comeback.
"He's just a rookie; how can his decision-making in critical moments be this strong? And that psychological ploy just now, can he really be a rookie?!" Duncan is internally shaken, impressed by Carlos's formidable ability. But then he regains his composure. After all, even if Carlos makes all the free throws, the game would only be tied. It's not over yet.
The commentators...
"Carlos is incredible!"
Mark Jackson is ecstatic, stating, "In this last psychological battle against Jefferson, Carlos outplayed 'Big Fundamental' Tim."
"Oh?!"
Jon Barry is all ears, eager to hear more.
Mark Jackson continues, "With 8.1 seconds left and down by three, Carlos had to shoot a three-pointer to tie the game, so Tim just needed to defend against the three. In reality...
Carlos didn't choose to break through; he faked the three-pointer.
It wasn't a great choice, and you could even say it was risky. If Tim hadn't followed, Carlos would have wasted precious time, and his shooting form would have been compromised.
Continuing the shot could have allowed Tim to disrupt or block it.
So Tim, thinking Carlos would surely shoot, decided to close out immediately, not realizing... it was all a psychological game.
You think it won't work, so I'll do just that.
Carlos, going against expectations and winning the mental battle against Duncan, gets the foul and the three free throws, earning a chance to save his team."
"Yes..."
Jon Barry nods in admiration, "Carlos, this rookie, has won a mental battle against the superstar Duncan, a remarkable feat. Now... the decision to lose or to go into overtime rests on these three free throws."
As they speak...
On the court...
Carlos steps to the free throw line and prepares to take his shots.
The first free throw...
"Swoosh!"
It's good...
The arena erupts with cheers once again.
At this critical moment...
Carlos must make all three. Each successful free throw is met with the loudest cheers from the Suns fans, bolstering his confidence as he faces the remaining shots.
The second free throw...
"Shush—"
The home crowd lets out a piercing chorus of boos, trying to rattle Carlos, but...
"Swoosh!"
It goes in once more.
"Wow—"
"Two in a row, now down to the last free throw. If it goes in, it's a tie, and with only 1.2 seconds left, the Spurs can't score; overtime is guaranteed. Now... everything hinges on this last shot. Come on, Carlos!"
Every fan in the arena is on edge, whether they're rooting for the Spurs or the Suns. Wall and Griffin tense up, watching Carlos, hoping he won't sink the last one. Meanwhile, celebrities like Lady Gaga and Avril Lavigne also have their eyes fixed on Carlos, their faces flushed with nervousness as they clench their fists, silently praying for a successful shot.
"It's all on you, Carlos!"
"Make it!"
To the side...
Curry and Nash also clench their fists, hopeful that Carlos will make this crucial final free throw to tie the game and send it to overtime.
"Carlos!"
George and Dragic on the bench, along with the rest of the team, place all their hopes on Carlos, all riding on this last free throw.
"It's not possible!"
Duncan shakes his head gently. Even with his usual composure, he hopes Carlos will miss. He doesn't want to be the one responsible for this turn of events.
"Whew..."
Carlos takes a deep breath, feeling the tension just as much as the fans. With a free throw attribute of "80" and a success rate hovering around 75%, he doesn't have absolute certainty of making all three shots.
"Snap!"
Carlos takes the ball from the referee for the ultimate, do-or-die free throw. As the sole focus of the entire stadium, he adjusts his stance and releases the shot.
"Go in!"
"Don't go in!"
As all eyes watch intensely, the rotation of the basketball carries the hopes of everyone. It flies through the air, and then... a crisp clanging sound echoes.
"Clang!"
It's off the rim...
Carlos has missed the free throw.
A collective gasp goes through the Suns' fans as they hear the unmistakable sound of the ball hitting iron. A shudder of despair ripples through the crowd.
"It's over!"
"We've lost!"
"The Suns... have lost!"
With Carlos missing the last shot, everyone knows that the game seems to be over for the Suns. But then...
In the next instant...
A shadow darts beneath the basket, springs up off the ground, and snatches the ball before Duncan can secure the rebound and end the game. It's Carlos!
That's right...
Almost in the same moment he released the shot, knowing it was off, Carlos positioned himself to sprint. He exploded forward the instant the ball touched the rim, outpacing everyone in a blink, snatching the ball mid-air.
"Whoosh!"
With contact against Duncan causing slight imbalance, Carlos manages a last-second hang time, fading away and releasing the ball just as the shot clock's red light illuminates. The 1.2 seconds have elapsed.
No one could have anticipated that Carlos, the man who missed the last free throw, would grab his own rebound and unleash a shot with only 1.2 seconds to go, and while off-balance. It's an incredibly difficult shot.
Is it going in?!
"Clang!"
The ball hits the rim and bounces up, leaving every fan holding their breath, their hearts skipping a beat. Then... they all witness the ball bounce up and, amidst Duncan's disbelief, Lady Gaga's anxious hope, Wall's incredulity, and Griffin's shock...
As the crowd's eyes widen in astonishment, the ball falls straight into the net, cleanly passing through the hoop.
It goes in!
With 1.2 seconds left and down by three, Carlos makes 2 out of 3 free throws, grabs his own rebound, and scores on a put-back, notching 2 points. In an almost impossible manner, he completes a wild buzzer-beater against the Spurs!
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