Bond won the opening tip.
Rose brought the ball up while Wang Yi quickly made his way to the mid-range.
When he got there, Shane Battier was the one guarding him.
As Battier defended Wang Yi, he trash-talked him. "Heh. If you've got the guts, make one over my head. Aren't you great from mid-range? Come on."
Battier was about five centimeters taller than Wang Yi and built more solidly.
He was clearly the best choice to defend Wang Yi.
Wang Yi caught the ball at mid-range, turned, and faced Battier. "As you wish."
Then he jumped without hesitation.
Battier hadn't expected Wang Yi to go straight up against him without a single feint or hesitation.
So he was a little slow on defense. Wang Yi rose right over him and sank a mid-range jumper.
Part of it was experience. But Wang Yi had also used Mind Reading Technique and knew what Battier had been thinking.
After scoring, Wang Yi turned to Battier. "Want to bet? A thousand dollars per shot. Every time I score over you, you owe me a thousand. If I miss, I'll pay you a thousand."
Battier had always been cautious.
He'd only been a role player last season, and hadn't joined the Main Force Lineup until the second half of this season.
His salary this season was only nine million dollars.
After taxes, he took home just over five million.
Once he'd bought a car and a house and paid for training, there wasn't much left.
A thousand dollars per shot was a lot for him.
Wang Yi chuckled. "What, scared to bet? You really are a kid—no guts at all."
Battier might have been cautious, but he was young.
Wang Yi's provocation sent a rush of blood to his head. "Why wouldn't I bet?