The ref blows the whistle, and Clay stays on the bench.
But when the other Kodiaks take the floor, it’s with a new energy.
Everyone chips in.
Jay grabs a steal from Isaac.
Rookie runs circles around the LA defense, cutting into the pain to get a drop-off pass from Atlas, who’s moving his feet better than I’ve seen all season.
Miles lurks in the corners and sinks two three-pointers in the first shift.
It’s working.
But LA is bringing their game up, too.
In the final two minutes, it’s neck and neck.Both teams have ramped up their defences, stopping multiple attempts in a row.
At sixty seconds, it’s still tied.
Thirty.
Twenty.
Ten.
LA calls a time out to draw up a play, but it’s Denver that makes the first substitution.
I’m wiping a hand over my own sweating forehead when Clay rises from his seat and strips off his jacket and tearaway pants.
“What is he doing?”Brooke demands.
“He’s going back out,” I whisper.
He’s not operating at full capacity.I can tell, and so can everyone else in here.
But they have a plan.
When the time out is over, LA inbounds the ball over Miles to Isaac, who takes off toward the basket.
Atlas is in the right place.He sets a screen that gives Jay time to snatch the ball away from Isaac.He turns and passes to Clay, who’s open near half court.
The crowd is deafening.
Clay nods to Miles, shouting something it’s impossible to hear over the arena roar, and Miles takes off toward the basket.
Clay brings the ball up the court as LA scrambles to get back.
Five seconds.
He palms the ball in one hand, pulling back as he nods to Miles in the corner.
Every eye is on Clay and his intended recipient.
Four.
LA rushes to double Miles, eager to intercept the incoming pass.
Three.
