Start

"Because this period is when Finley can relax mentally."

Barkley thought for a moment, then nodded.

"And..." Kenny Smith spoke again.

Barkley asked in surprise, "What else?"

"Furthermore, Finley has fallen into Chen's trap," Kenny Smith asserted.

"What do you mean?" This time, Barkley was genuinely surprised.

"Charles, watch this replay."

"When Nash raised his hand to ask for the ball, Li Chen's defensive intensity immediately relaxed, which gave Finley the illusion that he could pass the ball but not shoot."

Finley understood Li Chen's strategy, and his tense nerves immediately relaxed.

But in that instant, Li Chen attacked Finley.

"Oh my God! Li Chen, that Eastern Kid, is so cunning. Even a simple steal involves so many twists and turns," Barkley said speechlessly.

"No, no, no! This is about reading the game; Chen is a smart player."

Barkley didn't argue with Kenny Smith as the Clippers' final possession began.

Elton Brand serves from the baseline.

Li Chen stood two steps away from the center line, preparing to shoot a long-range three-pointer.

Just then, Van Exel stayed close to Li Chen.

"Hahaha! Van Exel is really holding a grudge about that block!" Barkley laughed heartily.

"Actually, this is completely unnecessary. I personally think that Chen is not capable of scoring this goal. Moreover, Van Eyser is defending with emotions, and he is easily provoked by Li Chen and may make unwise moves."

"Kenny, now that you analyze it like that, Li Chen is a typical cunning old fox!" (This term doesn't exist in the US, don't get hung up on it.)

Kenny Smith "..."

On the field.

"Nick, the height difference between us is too great. You can't guard me. Your defense will only allow me to score 3+1s."

Li Chen's tone was sincere, and he didn't look down on Van Exel in the slightest.

But it sounded so jarring to Van Exel.

He gritted his teeth and said, "Kid, don't be so arrogant."

A barely perceptible smile appeared at the corner of Li Chen's lips.

He then suddenly stopped to break free from Van Exel's grasp.

At the same time, Elton Brand passed the ball to him.

The ball was fast, but Li Chen still caught it steadily, then gently stretched his body and released it.

At the same time, Van Exel leaped high and slapped Li Chen's arm.

Van Exel's interference resulted in an airball.

At that moment, the referee blew his whistle and issued a hand foul to Van Exel.

Van Exel seemed unconcerned about fouls or anything like that.

He looked at Li Chen with a sneer and sneered, "Kid, you didn't even touch the backboard, you..."

Before he could finish speaking, he noticed that Li Chen was looking at him with a grateful smile, a very strange scene.

This unexpected situation made him realize that something was wrong, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.

At this moment, Li Chen said gratefully, "Nick, thank you so much. Actually, I really wasn't confident I could make the shot, but thankfully you were there."

Looking at Li Chen's sincere smile, Van Exel felt like he had been hit with a thousand blows. Fuck, he had been fooled.

In the TNT broadcast room, Barkley stared in disbelief. "Kenny, you were right! Van Exel really was... was outmaneuvered."

"Charles, what I'm more curious about now is what Chen said that made Vanxel act so irrationally."

Barkley nodded and said, "Actually, I'm curious too."

Meanwhile, Nelson's eyes nearly popped out of his head when he saw this. What was Van Exel up to? Was he Clippers mole?

The other players returned to their respective rest areas, and Li Chen had three free throw opportunities.

Li Chen missed the first free throw.

Then, he let out a long breath, adjusted his mindset, and shortly after, he made both the second and third free throws.

The Clippers trailed by 8 points, 88 to 96.

In the fourth quarter, the Clippers substituted Elton Brand with Wang Zhizhi.

The Mavericks substituted Van Exel with Adrian.

Clearly, Coach Nelson was very unhappy with how he handled the final play.

The Clippers started the fourth quarter with an offensive attack.

Li Chen passed the ball to Corey Maggette.

Corey Maggette made a successful layup.

90 to 96.

Nash's attempt to break through Li Chen failed, so he passed the ball to Finley.

Finley drove to the basket for a layup, drawing Corey Maggette's third foul.

Finley made one of two free throws.

90 to 97.

Li Chen successfully used Michael Olowokandi's screen to score a layup with a Euro step.

92 to 97.

Nowitzki received a pass from Nash and Golden Rooster Independence jumper, but it was blocked by both Li Chen and Odom.

A fierce battle for the rebound erupted under the basket, and Wang Zhizhi ultimately secured the precious defensive rebound.

The Clippers are on offense.

Li Chen dribbled the ball up the court.

At this moment, Adrian and Nash of the Mavericks double-teamed Li Chen.

Li Chen quickly passed the ball to Corey Maggette near the baseline, then Off-ball movement to look for opportunities.

After receiving the ball, Corey Maggette drove towards the basket.

His breakthrough immediately drew a Mavericks' LaFrentz and Finley.

Corey Maggette passed the ball to Wang Zhizhi three steps before the double-team.

Wang Zhizhi's shot was blocked by LaFrentz, who was helping to defend, and the basketball flew out of bounds.

The Clippers throw the ball inbounds.

Li Chen held the basketball high, his eyes constantly scanning his teammates' positions. Just then, the basketball in his hand shot towards the basket like lightning.

Michael Olowokandi caught the ball steadily, then, with his back to the basket, he pushed past LaFrentz towards the basket before turning and shooting a jump shot.

However, Michael Olowokandi greatly underestimated LaFrentz's shot-blocking ability, and this shot was blocked by LaFrentz again.

Michael Olowokandi was thrilled by Wang Zhizhi's consecutive blocks; he clenched his fists and roared to the sky.

With two failed attacks, the Clippers had less than seven seconds left on their shot clock, leaving them with no room for error.

Seeing this, Li Chen's heart sank; the Mavericks were playing too well in the fourth quarter.

The Clippers haven't gotten into form yet.

At this moment, Li Chen let out a long breath, having made up his mind.

A moment later, Li Chen made a successful run and got a chance to receive the ball.

After receiving the ball, Li Chen stared sharply at Adrian in front of him.

At the same time, Adrian was also on high alert.

Adrian Griffin plays Shooting Guard, but he is not good at scoring. Instead, his main task on the court is to defend the opponent's scorers.

He didn't participate in the draft, but became a starting player for a team that participated in the NBA Finals. He has always been considered a role player.

This is why Nelson substituted him into the game.

Li Chen dribbled the ball, then suddenly started moving, shrugging his shoulders, followed by a zigzag step change of direction, and then suddenly stepped back.

Meanwhile, Adrian continued to follow in Li Chen's footsteps.

However, Li Chen's step back was too sudden, catching Derian off guard and causing him to lose his balance. He was almost knocked over, only managing to regain his balance by bracing his right hand on the floor, thus avoiding embarrassment.

Just then, Li Chen hit another textbook three-pointer.

Swish! The three-pointer went in cleanly.

The Clippers narrowed the gap to just two points, trailing 95-97.

Meanwhile, a deafening roar of cheers erupted from the Staples Center.

That individual offensive play was absolutely fantastic, and the Clippers fans couldn't help but cheer.