Chapter 791: Chapter 791

"Everyone stay focused, we’re still in the lead. Stop the final attack, and we’ve got this!"

On the 76ers’ bench, Brown had just finished explaining the tactics when Butler got up and shouted to the other players.

Simmons’ previous decision was so suffocating that the 76ers’ morale plummeted, as if they had suddenly returned to their state during training.

"Yes, we just need to stop the last attack!" Embiid also stood up,

"We can’t let all our efforts tonight go to waste. Let’s put everything on the line to defend this play!"

With the team’s leader and nominal boss making statements, the dejected expressions on everyone’s faces quickly disappeared.

Just before going back on the court, Embiid found Simmons and patted him on the shoulder: "Don’t blame yourself, we still have a chance!"

Teammates are always the best teachers, and playing alongside Butler has greatly helped Embiid’s growth.

Simmons’ expression was full of emotion.

In fact, no one understood why he chose to pass the ball in the face of an open basket, not even himself.

Perhaps he was numbed by being left open so many times, coupled with Hansen’s previous block on his layup, making him lose confidence in his shot.

Or maybe under such high pressure, his brain went blank, unable to think about the defensive situation, and instinctively chose to pass.

After all, passing to a teammate meant the responsibility for making or missing the shot didn’t fall on him but on the teammate who took the shot, so he wouldn’t be blamed.

But obviously, if they lost tonight, he would be the primary person responsible.

At this moment, Embiid coming over to comfort him brought him a sense of gratitude and also narrowed the distance between them.

He nodded vigorously.

They could definitely do it!

After the timeout, the Cavaliers had a frontcourt inbound.

This play was not only a test of the Cavaliers’ clutch ability but also a test of the 76ers’ defensive execution.

The Cavaliers had Hansen, so even trailing, no one thought they would definitely lose in this situation.

But for that reason, the 76ers needed to stop Hansen, then keep an eye on Jokic, and protect the basket.

As for other players, when they needed to focus on key defenders, they could only choose to selectively abandon coverage.

Covington and Crowder both missed their shots, indicating that a role player making a buzzer-beater was a rare event and something people could accept if it happened.

With the sound of the whistle from the courtside, the Cavaliers started their inbound play.

Malone chose a classic "Starburst" tactic, with four players standing at the free throw line before breaking away to lead away the defense, giving the designated person a chance to receive the ball.

However, at that moment, the 76ers’ morale was high, and their enthusiasm was off the charts, so Hansen failed to receive the ball, leading to Malone’s tactic falling apart.

Jokic then quickly moved to the sideline to receive the ball; this was Malone’s Plan B.

Just as Jokic secured the ball, Hansen accelerated and broke free from his defense, moving next to him for a hand-off pass.

After passing the ball, Jokic quickly moved toward the basket.

This essentially served as a pick-and-roll between the two.

Trailing by one point meant only needing two points to kill the game, so Jokic’s movement quickly attracted the defense.

And as Jokic moved, Hansen, already holding the ball, started his drive, accelerating past Butler.

At this moment, almost instinctively, Embiid and Simmons moved toward Hansen.

If captured by a camera, you could clearly see even the muscles on their faces straining.

Their efforts paid off as Hansen was forced toward the baseline.

Meanwhile, time was slowly ticking away.

Hansen didn’t have time to make any extra moves.

Nearing the baseline, he had no choice but to jump and take a fadeaway shot.

Embiid jumped up along with him.

It was nearly a negative-angle shot, with Hansen’s release just grazing past Embiid’s fingertips.

The 76ers’ players, just as they had demonstrated throughout the night, gave their utmost effort.

Embiid was already looking back mid-air.

The crowd at the arena held their breath in an instant.

Under immense defensive pressure, Hansen’s shot didn’t go straight in but bounced off the side of the rim.

Then it hit the other side of the rim.

By now, the final whistle had sounded.

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the ball that had rebounded again.

For the 76ers’ players and fans, it was their last sliver of hope to continue the series.

The ball’s second bounce was noticeably lower than the first, and its dropping trajectory was clearer.

Some fans had already started holding their heads.

Because it was clearly heading toward the inside of the rim.

Ultimately, the ball bounced again on the other side and dropped straight into the net.

Hansen completed this high-difficulty game-winner! Orıginal content can be found at 𝚗𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚕·𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚎·𝚗𝚎𝚝

The 76ers’ entire night’s effort was finished off by Hansen’s fatal shot.

The arena was in an uproar, and the fans were in disbelief.

Landing and watching the ball bounce around the rim, Embiid looked bewildered.

Simmons, beside him, wore the same expression.

At that moment, they felt like their hearts were pierced, their faith shattered.

After hitting the game-winner, Hansen walked toward the midcourt as the Cavaliers’ players rushed around him to celebrate wildly.