With Reggie Miller and Eric Williams on the court, the Pacers now had a slight height advantage.
However, their defense completely fell apart.
Billups and Hamilton joined forces, turning the Pacers' perimeter defense into a sieve.
Fortunately, Derek Williams had a decent touch. He hit a couple of mid-range jumpers, and then Reggie Miller sank a three-pointer.
They were barely hanging on, but the Pacers' momentum was failing. Anyone could see they were like a skyscraper on the verge of collapse.
Carlisle, however, showed unprecedented strategic composure. He didn't rush to put Su Xi in, even as the Pacers were steadily losing ground and the deficit widened.
Su Xi had asked to go in three minutes into the fourth quarter.
Carlisle refused. "Wait until at least the five-minute mark, Jack!" he said. "Get some rest. Our goal isn't to win tonight; it's the championship. I can afford to lose this game. But I can't have you charging in while you're exhausted."
