He sank both free throws. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Su Xi kept the Pacers’ hopes alive with his do-or-die style of play.

Even the fans at Auburn Hills Palace could see Su Xi’s reckless abandon. They continued to rain down their loudest boos and harshest jeers, but they couldn’t help but respect his fighting spirit.

Sitting courtside, Scarlett Johansson clenched her fists, a determined look on her face. Watching Su Xi’s repeated, desperate drives—like throwing himself against a brick wall—her heart was tied in knots.

She worried Su Xi would get hurt.

In fact, as the game wore on, Su Xi was hitting the floor more and more often after collisions.

His energy was draining faster than the Pacers were closing the gap on the scoreboard.

Finally, with 21 seconds left in the game, Artest took the final handoff. He caught a pass from Su Xi and sank a floater, putting them ahead by one point.

He didn’t celebrate. Instead, he rushed over to pull Su Xi up from the floor.

Su Xi’s breathing grew ragged, his chest heaving violently.

But his expression remained utterly determined.

"He’s gassed! Get physical with him!" Rashid Wallace yelled as he inbounded the ball to Billups.

Kick a man while he’s down.

Competitive sports isn’t about being friendly; it’s not a dinner party.

Since Su Xi chose to stay on the court, he had to be prepared for his opponent to treat him as the weak link.

Carlisle made a substitution gesture from the sideline, but Su Xi firmly shook him off.

Billups did exactly that. As soon as he crossed half-court, he turned and started backing down Su Xi, bumping him with his body.

His goal wasn’t just to break through Su Xi’s defense, but to break his will—to utterly crush him on the court.

Sure enough, Su Xi didn’t have his earlier strength.

And on the second bump, Billups found Su Xi’s resistance was even weaker.

He was ecstatic.

He quickly went for a third bump.

But at the very instant of that powerful bump... Su Xi, the wounded tiger, bared his fangs. He suddenly spun, his body lunging forward like a lightning bolt... SWAT!

Using his flexibility, explosiveness, and incredibly long arms, Su Xi swatted the ball away from Billups with a single slap.

Billups was caught completely off guard. He tried to recover, but Su Xi muscled him out of the way.

Su Xi sprinted downcourt with the ball, and Prince immediately gave chase.

Prince was using his body to bother Su Xi.

Su Xi was truly running on fumes. He stumbled badly at midcourt, but he steadied himself with his left hand on the floor before exploding forward with even greater force.

Prince lost half a step on defense. He scrambled to catch up as they reached the three-point line in a flash.

Su Xi glanced at the dwindling clock. He made his decision.

He stopped on a dime, then violently crossed over, shaking Prince off him. Then, without a moment’s hesitation, he jumped and shot... Prince lunged at him, but he was a beat too late. Su Xi had just released the ball.

The shot took every last bit of Su Xi’s strength. He staggered on the landing, quickly bracing himself with his hands on his knees.

He was completely spent.

BZZT!

The final buzzer had already sounded.

The ball soared through the air, tracing a perfect arc... SWISH!

It went in.

The Pacers were now ahead by four.

A brilliant smile spread across Su Xi’s face.

Reggie Miller came to his side and helped him up.

"So? How’d this three-pointer compare to your famous game-winner?" Su Xi asked Miller.

Miller said, "It’s still missing something."

"Imagine how good it would’ve been if you had my three-point shot."

...