Chopping Shark Tactic

Elton Brand pulled Li Chen up, "Holy crap, Chen, what kind of luck is this? You can make any shot?"

Li Chen smiled, "Just lucky."

Elton Brand "..."

Li Chen rubbed his reddened arm as he stepped up to the free-throw line.

Shaq's hands are really strong! Li Chen thought to himself.

At this moment, the main referee tossed the ball to Li Chen, signaling he could shoot.

Li Chen took the ball, let out a deep breath, and decisively shot.

Swish, the ball went in.

The score changed to 28-25.

Only one minute had passed in the second quarter.

Just then, the Lakers called a timeout.

In the first minute of the second quarter, the Lakers had already been forced to call a timeout.

In the broadcast booth.

Kenny Smith said, "Phil Jackson's timeout was very timely. If they let Chen continue like this, the Lakers might collapse. That kind of unreasonable luck is too demoralizing for the team."

Barkley nodded in agreement, and added, "Actually, some of the responsibility lies with Kobe. He shouldn't have tried to race the Clippers in transition."

"And his luck today has been terrible," Barkley added with a sigh.

Kenny Smith laughed heartily, then said seriously, "As a legendary coach, I believe Phil Jackson will calm Kobe down after the timeout. That's when it will truly be a test for the Clippers."

Barkley nodded, then thought for a moment, "I wonder if that Eastern Kid, who's been blessed with incredible luck, will continue his magical run after the timeout."

"Actually, if he had just shot threes, the Clippers might have already tied the score, or even taken the lead," Barkley added.

Li Chen also wanted to shoot threes, but the skill description only mentioned buffs for drives, so he could only force his way past Kobe, an All-NBA First Team player.

Clippers' bench.

Alvin Gentry was also shocked by Li Chen's luck.

He patted Li Chen's shoulder and praised, "Chen, you're playing well, keep it up."

"Yeah! Chen, you can make shots like that? My jaw nearly hit the floor! Hahaha!"

The other players also burst into laughter. The atmosphere in the Clippers' huddle was peaceful and relaxed.

Of course, except for one person.

Odom was very upset, extremely upset. He had originally planned to suggest to Alvin Gentry that Li Chen be subbed out if he continued to play recklessly in the second quarter, and then he would go in.

But only one minute had passed in the game, and Li Chen had already scored 7 points, forcing the Lakers to call a timeout.

Damn it, damn it, why is this Yellow Monkey so lucky?

Soon, the timeout ended, and both teams' players returned to the court.

On the court.

Fisher dribbled the ball up the court, scanning the positions of the Lakers players at the top of the arc.

Meanwhile, after the timeout, Kobe wasn't as aggressive as before, which left Li Chen a little disappointed.

The Lakers passed the ball around, looking for an opening, and finally passed it to O'Neal.

O'Neal received the ball, turned his back to the basket, and like a bulldozer, he bulldozed his way to the basket.

Michael Olowokandi, with his smaller frame, was pushed back repeatedly. Then, Shaq suddenly turned and slammed the ball down for a dunk.

The score became 30-25, the lead stretched back to 5 points.

At the same time, Michael Olowokandi was sent flying, landing on his butt on the floor, looking utterly bewildered.

Li Chen pulled him up and consoled him, "Don't take it to heart, you'll get used to it."

Michael Olowokandi "..."

Damn, do all you Easterners comfort people like this?

Offense and defense switched.

On the offensive end, Andre Miller passed the ball to Li Chen.

At the same time, Kobe stuck to him like glue.

Michael Olowokandi set a screen for Li Chen and cut towards the basket.

Li Chen then received a pass from Michael Olowokandi and sprinted towards the paint like a wild horse.

As Li Chen leaped high into the air, O'Neal's massive, sky-obscuring frame also rose up.

A smile played on Li Chen's lips as he flicked his wrist, sending the ball towards Andre Miller, who was lurking at the 45-degree angle outside the three-point line.

Andre Miller received the ball, adjusted slightly, and leaped high.

Swish! The ball went through the net cleanly.

The 30-28 score was narrowed to two points.

Offense and defense switched again.

While retreating, Li Chen whispered something in Michael Olowokandi's ear.

Michael Olowokandi gave Li Chen a strange look, then nodded.

The score was tight now. The Black Mamba suppressed his dissatisfaction with O'Neal for the moment, but if O'Neal missed, he would unhesitatingly take back the ball and take over the game.

The Lakers attacked, and Fisher once again lobbed the ball to O'Neal under the basket.

O'Neal employed the same tactic, continuing to use his large backside to push Michael Olowokandi.

Just as O'Neal was about to attempt a hook shot, Michael Olowokandi moved like an eagle pouncing on a rabbit—uh, perhaps an eagle pouncing on a bear would be more fitting.

Michael Olowokandi directly rode on top of O'Neal.

This move stunned O'Neal. What the hell is he trying to do?

Clearly, Michael Olowokandi's action was a foul.

The referee's whistle blew at the appropriate time. The foul count reached the bonus, and O'Neal was awarded two free throws.

Seeing this, Phil Jackson's calm and composed face twitched slightly. Damn it, the Hack-a-Shaq strategy again. He cursed inwardly, Popovich, this is all your fault.

O'Neal was on point, transforming into a "fat blacksmith" and missing both free throws with loud clangs.

Michael Olowokandi grabbed the rebound, thinking, Chen's strategy really works!

Kobe was furious. Damn Shaq, so unmotivated.

Relying on him is absolutely out of the question. It's still up to me, the Little Flying Hero, the Black Mamba, to save the Lakers.

At this moment, the Black Mamba was back online, and he had already unhesitatingly disabled the pass button.

At the same time, Li Chen gave Michael Olowokandi a thumbs-up.

Michael Olowokandi grinned, then passed the ball to Li Chen.

Li Chen dribbled the ball up the court, his eyes scanning the Clippers' positions.

At this moment, he was certain that his vision was truly expansive, not just an effect of a skill.

However, Li Chen had no intention of playing point guard.

He then saw Kobe, his eyes focused and coiled like a viper, ready to strike.

Seeing that expression, Li Chen knew this guy was going for a solo play.

His thoughts racing, Li Chen drove past Kobe again.

Michael Olowokandi set a screen for Li Chen and cut to the basket.

But Kobe, when serious, was terrifying. Michael Olowokandi couldn't stop him.

Just as Li Chen was about to jump and shoot, Kobe blocked his path again.

At this moment, Li Chen felt a strange sensation, similar to the feeling he had when blocking Bibby's layup in the previous game against the Kings.

He had a growing premonition that Kobe would block this shot.

But he still jumped high.

Kobe also jumped high.

Li Chen retracted his arm and made a back-pass.

At the same time, Elton Brand calmly caught Li Chen's pass.

He didn't hesitate and went up for a jump shot. Just then, O'Neal leaped high and swatted the ball away.