The Celtics were known as the tough, gritty Green Team, and they truly did have a hard-nosed tradition.
After Wang Yi came off the court, they cut the lead from 20 points to just 13 in only four minutes.
The arena grew noisy once more.
The crowd chanted in unison.
The DJ blasted energetic music to fire up the team.
At the Commentary Booth, Tracy McGrady asked Zha Zha Pachulia, who was sitting beside him, "Do you still think Wang Yi won't score 90 points tonight?"
Zha Zha Pachulia nodded with complete confidence. "Of course."
McGrady was a little surprised by his confidence. "Tell me why."
Pachulia said, "It's simple. In the first and second quarters, Wang Yi showed a selfish style of play. He kept attacking on his own, and even when his teammates had openings, he wouldn't pass to them. If he keeps playing that way in the third quarter, the Green Team will absolutely trap him with three, four, or even five players, forcing him to pass the ball."
"With so many players trapping him, he'll have fewer chances to get the ball and fewer chances to attack. Naturally, all he'll be able to do is pass it out. That's why I say there's no way he can score 27 points in the remaining two quarters."
The Kings players returned to the locker room.
Wang Yi first went to the treatment room nearby and had Baiyin give him a quick massage.
After all, he had spent most of the first two quarters handling the ball and taking shots, which had taken a heavy toll on his stamina.
If he didn't let Baiyin loosen up his muscles during halftime, he might run into stamina problems in the fourth quarter.
Seeing Wang Yi's chest heaving, Baiyin grew a little