Men's Basketball World Cup National Team Assembles

June 19, 2023.

The day of Finals Game 7.

The whole city of Miami seemed shrouded in storm clouds, and even walking down the street felt oppressive.

The game was set to tip off at 7 p.m., but by one or two in the afternoon, the area around American Airlines Arena was already packed with people.

Many ticket holders had arrived early and were waiting to enter the arena.

Those without tickets gathered around the plaza outside, waiting to watch the game.

Once the game began, around thirty thousand fans would gather in the plaza.

Thirty thousand people watching the game together on a giant screen—that would be quite a sight.

Once the broadcast began, the number of viewers across the United States quickly topped ten million.

Xiao Hua watched the figure, grinning from ear to ear.

It had only just started, and viewership had already topped ten million. By the time the game actually tipped off, it might even break twenty million.

By 6:30 p.m., players from both teams were warming up on the sidelines.

Both teams had also submitted their starting lineups to the scorer's table.

When the lineups appeared on the giant screen, everyone was surprised.

They saw that the Heat's starting center wasn't Adebayo, but Doug Lambier—the man who'd made a name for himself in the last game with a three-for-one special involving a kick, a kill, and a step-on.

Zhang Weiping, commentating from the booth, shook his head repeatedly when he saw the lineup.

"Oh, boy. The Heat have put Lambier in the starting lineup. This is serious. Their intentions are crystal clear: they want to use Doug Lambier's toughness to counter the Kings."

"Everyone saw it in the last game. When Doug Lambier planted himself there, the other Kings players didn't dare drive inside.