Can They Win?

At this point, Popovich called a timeout.

In the TNT broadcast room.

"I wonder if the Spurs' timeout is aimed at Li Chen, or at the Spurs' offensive problems," Barkley said with a smile.

Kenny Smith thought for a moment and said, "There are still 80 seconds left, and the score is 96-84. The Spurs have an 8-point lead. They will definitely control the time, and then Duncan will calmly put the ball in."

Barkley nodded and added, "I expect the Clippers will also resort to fouling tactics to counter the Spurs' strategy, after all, they've already accumulated more than four fouls."

Kenny Smith nodded. "The game really starts in this last minute or so. If the Clippers lose this game, then they've lost the series."

"That's right, Clippers owner Donald Sterling won't allow Li Chen to act recklessly again. You know, Li Chen is now the Clippers' box office guarantee," Barkley said with a hint of sarcasm.

Clippers' rest area.

Alvin Gentry said, "The Spurs will definitely try to stall, so in the next few minutes, we'll use a full-court press, actively double-teaming the Spurs' ball-handlers, actively trying to steal the ball, and if all else fails, fouling. In short, use every means to stop the Spurs from scoring."

The players all nodded.

Alvin Gentry added, "When there's one minute left in the game, start executing the fouling strategy."

The Clippers players nodded again.

After Alvin Gentry finished outlining the tactics, he looked at Li Chen with concern and asked, "Chen, are you alright?"

Li Chen nodded, grinned, and said, "Coach, I'm fine."

Alvin Gentry sighed softly.

A short while later, the competition officially began.

Just as Alvin Gentry predicted, the Spurs are using delaying tactics.

The Clippers' full-court press and double-teaming tactics caused considerable trouble for the Spurs, forcing them to pass the ball out quickly.

Under the Clippers, Parker could only pass the ball to Stephen Jackson near the mid-court line.

But at the very moment the pass was made, Li Chen moved.

At this moment, Li Chen forgot about his physical pain and focused only on the goal at hand.

He sprinted at full speed, using his speed and agility to quickly close the distance.

His heart was racing, but his body moved with the agility of a serpent.

Li Chen accurately predicted the route of Parker's pass.

Like a nimble leopard, he suddenly stretched out his arm and swiftly stole the basketball, successfully disrupting the Spurs' offense.

The fans erupted in deafening cheers, overjoyed at Li Chen's steal.

Because the Clippers are one step closer to a comeback.

Li Chen was able to steal the ball so easily because the Spurs underestimated Li Chen; Li Chen was incredibly deceptive in the first minute or so of the game.

In their view, Li Chen went into the game in great pain.

However, the truth is that Li Chen's injury was not as serious as imagined, and with the passive S-level talent [Resilience], Li Chen could ignore the pain, which only had a slight impact.

However, Li Chen did not show it, but instead chose to confuse the Spurs.

Li Chen's goal was to give the Spurs a surprise, like the steal he just made.

Outsiders were unaware of all this, but the fans were once again moved by Li Chen's fighting spirit despite his injury.

So after the cheers subsided, they tacitly applauded Li Chen. Some sentimental fans shed tears once again.

At the same time, Li Chen steadied himself, stared at the basket in the distance, bent his knees slightly, concentrated all his strength in his uninjured left leg, and then shot into the sky like an arrow.

At the same time, Parker rushed towards Li Chen, trying to disrupt Li Chen's defense by pressing forward.

But such defense had no effect on him.

Li Chen jumped quickly. Although his injury made his shot less elegant, it showed a tenacious and indomitable spirit.

At the same time, he raised his arms and pushed the basketball into the air.

The ball spun, like a shooting star streaking across the night sky, flying towards the basket in a graceful arc.

Fans could feel the ball getting closer and closer to the basket; the tense atmosphere made time seem to stand still.

They were screaming in their hearts, "We must get in!"

Finally, the basketball fell perfectly into the hoop.

Immediately, deafening cheers and applause erupted in the Staples Center as fans celebrated the spectacular three-pointer.

96 to 87.

There are 75 seconds left in the game.

After Li Chen stole the ball, the Spurs had to proceed cautiously, and under the Clippers' Clippers -team, they dared not waste any more time.

Because Li Chen is like the Black Mamba in the African jungle, constantly watching them. If they are not careful, he will deliver a fatal blow to the Spurs.

Parker knew the Spurs didn't have much room for error, so this possession had to be a score-or-miss.

So he passed the basketball to Duncan.

The moment Duncan received the ball, Wang Zhizhi immediately helped defend, double-teaming Duncan with Odom.

But Duncan was not intimidated by the two defenders and forced a bank shot, making the basket.

98 to 87.

There are 65 seconds left.

The Clippers are on offense.

Li Chen again sought contact, drawing a foul from Stephen Johnson, and Li Chen scored another 3+1.

Shortly after, Li Chen swiftly converted the penalty.

The Clippers trailed the Spurs 91-98, a deficit of 7 points.

There are 57 seconds left in the game.

The Spurs on offense.

The Clippers began to execute a fouling strategy, sending Parker to the free-throw line.

The young German speedster Parker's free throws were not consistent, making only one of two.

The Spurs lead 91-99.

The Clippers are on offense.

Li Chen picked up the basketball, passed it to Andre Miller, and then whispered, "If you don't have a chance to pass the ball to me, just shoot it yourself."

Andre Miller paused for a moment, then nodded.

A moment later, Andre Miller dribbled the ball up the court.

In the Spurs' bench, Popovich yelled, "Defense! Don't let that Eastern Kid get the ball!"

Li Chen was immediately placed under tight surveillance.

Li Chen's eyes flashed, and then he ran towards the basket, drawing away Parker and another player who were helping to defend.

This scene surprised Popovich, who wondered what he was doing.

Seeing that Li Chen had no chance and that he himself was left wide open, Andre Miller did not hesitate to shoot a three-pointer.

Thud! The basketball bounced off the rim. Just then, Li Chen leaped up, his eyes resolute, and grabbed the rebound, overpowering Duncan.

This scene worried Alvin Gentry, who turned to the team doctor and asked, "William, won't this worsen Chen's injury?"

Dr. William adjusted his glasses and thought for a moment before saying, "The injury has definitely worsened, but it's not a big problem. If it's just this one match, it should be fine. Even if it worsens, it should heal in about two weeks."

Alvin Gentry breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

Immediately afterwards, Li Chen scored the basket over Duncan, drawing a foul from Duncan in the process.

Duncan angrily pounded the floor.

Li Chen once again made the free throw with composure.

The score difference narrowed to 5 points, from 94 to 99.

There are 49 seconds left.

"Fuck!" Popovich cursed as he angrily clenched his fist.