Chapter 106: The Passing of the Scalpel, the Sniper’s Shot

Undoubtedly, the Warriors boast some of the most formidable three-point shooters in the league’s history. Even without Lin Fei, their long-range firepower remains unmatched across the league. Stephen Curry stands as one of the league’s premier sharpshooters, while players like Kainz, Jobs, and X provide the ability to stretch defenses and knock down open threes. When the Warriors’ perimeter shooting heats up, no team—not even the Mavericks—can stand in their way.

Kainz’s three-pointer sent chills down the spine of Carlisle, the Mavericks’ coach. Since Lin Fei joined the Warriors, they’ve shattered numerous league records in three-point shooting—most made in a single game, most in a quarter, highest season averages, and more. As one coach once said, when the Warriors unleash a barrage of threes, all you can do is pray.

The Mavericks were certainly unwilling to be subdued so easily. If the Warriors were going to bombard from beyond the arc, the Mavericks would respond with fierce perimeter defense. They didn’t expect to completely shut down the Warriors’ shooting, just to reduce their accuracy enough to keep the game in reach.

On offense, the Mavericks relied on Marion’s aggressive drives to the basket. This player had a knack for causing trouble for opposing defenses.

But the real spectacle came after Marion’s basket. X inbounded with a long pass to Kainz, who charged alone into the Mavericks’ paint. With a thunderous dunk, he sealed it with a pull-up hang on the rim, laughing heartily. “Nothing beats hanging from the rim and looking down on you all,” he seemed to say.

The referee promptly issued a technical foul. “Calm down, kid! Don’t forget, this court belongs to the refs!”

Dirk Nowitzki made his technical free throw, and though Kainz had been jubilant moments before, regret crept in. If this free throw became the turning point, things would get dire. Without Lin Fei on the floor and no reinforcements to teach the Warriors a lesson, frustration mounted.

“No one’s coming? Then I’ll handle it myself!” Kainz declared, stepping up to put on a show. Craving the spotlight, on the court only he and X held the caliber of starters. How could he not seize this moment to shine?

Smith controlled the ball at midcourt and passed it to Kainz. After a brief pause and a sly smile upon sizing up his defender, Kainz took a single step that crossed his opponent, driving into the lane. Marion helped defensively, and Haywood cut off his path. Seeing himself trapped, Kainz lofted a high floater that brushed the rim softly before dropping through the net. With his vertical leap and release point, even slight interference made defending him a nightmare. This was a classic point guard move, though Kainz, usually overshadowed, rarely displayed such prowess.

The bench erupted in cheers.

Nielsen, the Mavericks’ coach, realized he had underestimated Kainz’s offensive potential. Initially, Kainz was valued for his balanced defense, but his offensive growth suggested he could become a star with proper development.

The Mavericks had no choice but to send in their starters again.

Nowitzki, once more the offensive cornerstone, entered the game and immediately showcased his skills with a series of fadeaway jumpers and free throws, dismantling the Warriors’ backup power forward, Soro. Nielsen held his composure, keeping Jobs and Clawson off the court, relying on X and Kainz to grind against the Mavericks. Though the momentum was against them, the Warriors refused to give the Mavericks an easy path.

With the third quarter winding down, the Mavericks extended their lead to eight points.

Anyone familiar with the Warriors knew that eight points was hardly a cushion. The Warriors could mount several quick possessions in under a minute, easily scoring seven or eight points. Nielsen seemed confident, embodying the reputation of a Mavericks nemesis with a few tactical tricks up his sleeve.

At the end of the third quarter, the score stood at 102-94. No one could claim the Warriors’ high scoring was due to lax defense—after all, the Mavericks were a well-balanced team on both ends. The Warriors simply played at a relentless pace, maximizing offensive possessions.

Entering the fourth quarter, many players were still recovering physically. The Mavericks had wrapped up their previous playoff series in five games, while the Warriors fought through seven grueling matches. Coupled with the fact that the Mavericks played at home, rested and unburdened by travel, the Warriors faced a significant disadvantage. It was uncertain whether they had the stamina to finish strong.

Down by six, Nielsen summoned his key players. The score could not be allowed to slip beyond double digits, as morale would suffer greatly.

Curry controlled the ball, initiating a five-man fast break. Near the opponent’s three-point line, all Warriors players were in motion. X and Kainz executed a crossing run that confused the Mavericks’ defense. Curry lobbed a precise aerial pass to Jobs, who had been frustrated by Nowitzki’s presence earlier. Jobs aggressively attacked Nowitzki, showcasing nimble footwork reminiscent of Scola from the Rockets. He spun repeatedly, dizzying Nowitzki before finishing with a deft hook shot.

This was momentum—this was the Warriors’ spirit. The starters unleashed a full-court fast break, receiving the ball in the frontcourt, faking and weaving before a clean hook shot.

The offense was intricate and swift, flowing like water unleashed.

They cut the deficit by two.

As the third quarter ended, Nielsen emphasized tighter defense on Nowitzki, assigning X to guard him. Nielsen understood well how difficult it was to contain Nowitzki, but believed a strong small forward—around 6’9”, with exceptional leaping ability and speed—could at least make him uncomfortable. X fit that mold well.

Nowitzki posted up against X, who held firm. Nowitzki passed out to Kidd on the perimeter, who recognized Curry had come to help defend Nowitzki and promptly drained a three-pointer. Such cold-blooded sharpshooters were dangerous. Even missing Terry, the Mavericks’ offensive threat seemed undiminished, at least in this game.

Curry responded with a three of his own, narrowing the gap once more.

The Mavericks called a timeout and adjusted their defense. Previously, they had man-to-man coverage, but the Warriors’ players moved like a flock of birds, making defense futile. Carlisle instructed his faster players to pressure the Warriors’ speedy counterparts, buying time for teammates to rotate and cover.

The new strategy disrupted the Warriors’ fast breaks. It was clear the Warriors were uncomfortable against this scheme, which was natural—many players needed direct man-to-man defense to find their shots.

Yet, the Warriors remained the Warriors. After the first failed fast break, they orchestrated a more balanced attack—inside players weaving through the paint, perimeter players maneuvering, and the point guard driving and passing. Another three-pointer followed.

With one minute left, the score was tied at 130 all.

The Mavericks’ offense was predictable: they would look to their best closer, Nowitzki.

At the free-throw line, Nowitzki received the ball, backing down against Jobs. At this crucial moment, Jobs, the Warriors’ legitimate power forward, was tasked with guarding him. Knowing Nowitzki favored backing down and shooting from the left side, Jobs tried to force him right. Nowitzki countered with a sweeping spin step to the right, creating space for a high arcing hook shot that was nearly unstoppable.

The Mavericks took a two-point lead. The Warriors needed someone to step up.

Curry? Jobs? X? Kainz? Any of them could—yet the most trusted name was missing from that list.

Nielsen’s game plan was clear: having fought to this point without Lin Fei, they couldn’t afford to falter now.

Curry dribbled, setting up a pick-and-roll with Kainz. Curry drove right but was met by Banya; he spun back left, encountering Kidd. Curry stepped back and launched a shot under ten seconds remaining.

The bench erupted as the ball swished through the net.

The score was tied once more.

Twenty-eight seconds remained.

The Mavericks’ possession was certain to belong to Nowitzki, but no one knew when or where Kidd would deliver the ball.

Kidd controlled the tempo with measured steps, his calm presence reassuring teammates. Approaching forty, Kidd’s playoff experience surpassed many players’ entire careers.

Kidd drove against Curry, drawing defenders. Nowitzki drifted near the three-point line, with Jobs unable to keep pace. The Warriors sensed danger. As if on cue, the ball found Nowitzki’s hands—proof of Kidd’s surgical precision in passing.

Nowitzki shot and scored—a sniper’s perfect shot following a scalpel-sharp assist.

The Mavericks led by three, leaving the Warriors just five seconds.

Nielsen called timeout to set their final play.

Alas, sometimes losing one player means losing the soul of a team. The Warriors’ last attempt fell to Curry, but his shot rimmed out. Chandler grabbed the rebound, sealing the Mavericks’ victory.

Perhaps Warriors fans wouldn’t be disheartened, and the players need not blame themselves. Yet now, one wonders what Lin Fei was doing.

Perhaps he was still stewing over that scoundrel Terry, or regretting his own rashness. But in the silent night, Lin Fei was lost in his own thoughts, understood by no one.