Eastern Conference Finals

Back in China, after receiving news of the earthquake, Li Ruping immediately called Li Chen.

"Li Chen, how much money should we donate for the Wenchuan earthquake?"

In such situations, companies are expected to donate money; it's a golden opportunity to build a positive public image.

Li Chen was taken aback, especially since so much time had passed that he had even forgotten which year the Wenchuan earthquake occurred.

Li Chen only remembered this now that Li Ruping brought it up.

"Li Chen, wouldn't it be wrong of us not to donate?" Li Chen's recollection led Li Ruping to misunderstand.

"Of course we should donate, and we should donate more..." At this point, he changed the subject, "However, we need to change it a little."

Li Ruping was somewhat surprised, thinking to herself, "Can you really make a fuss about donations?"

"Sister Ping, next you should do this and that..."

As Li Chen spoke, Li Ruping's beautiful eyes gradually widened.

A moment later, "Chen, you're a true business Wizards. You're wasting your talent playing basketball."

Li Chen remained noncommittal. He never considered himself a genius; he simply had a lot of experience.

Back in China, Li Ruping immediately began carrying out the tasks assigned by Li Chen after hanging up the phone.

First Pinduoduo officially announced that its Pinduoduo operations have been temporarily suspended.

Then, the authorities solicited supplies for disaster relief on the platform.

Pinduoduo Logistics brought 100 million yuan worth of supplies from all over the country to Wenchuan.

The Pinduoduo logistics logo is ubiquitous across the country, and this move has certainly attracted a lot of attention.

That's not all. All of Pinduoduo Logistics' couriers participated in the disaster relief efforts, and their mission was to deliver every piece of relief supplies to every disaster victim.

Li Chen's actions earned high praise from the central bank.

However, one organization was furious: the Red Cross. This behavior was a blatant slap in the face.

The NBA Eastern Conference Finals officially tipped off on the 21st, with the Knicks visiting TD Garden first.

Live on TNT.

"It has to be admitted that the Celtics' Big Three this season is truly strong. Even the Knicks, with Li Chen, only managed to tie with the Celtics, who have their own Big Three, in several regular-season encounters."

Kenny Smith nodded and said, "Yes,"

The Celtics' starting lineup is:

Rondo (Point Guard)

Ray Allen (Shooting Guard)

Pierce (Small Forward)

Garnett (Power Forward)

Perkins (center)

Kenny Smith stated, "The Celtics were simply unstoppable during the regular season, allowing opponents an average of 90.3 points per game."

"Furthermore, they were the league leaders in rebounds and field goal percentage, and ultimately, they won 66 games. They even beat the championship-winning Knicks to finish first in the Eastern Conference regular season."

At this point, Barkley added, "Kenny, although the Celtics were virtually invincible in the regular season, they struggled a lot in the Playoffs."

"They went to a Game 7 against the Hawks in the first round, and then again to a Game 7 against James' Cavaliers in the second round."

"Now they have to face the Knicks, who have three championships, so it can only be more difficult for them. There's also a major problem: the Celtics don't have enough bench depth. Five of their players can't be on the court all the time, and Li Chen can be on the court the whole time."

"Oh no, no, no! Charles, you must know this is TD Garden."

"Kenny, how about we... forget it, you definitely won't bet with me," Barkley goaded.

"Hahaha! Charles, don't worry, I told you I've been a gambler for many years."

Then, Kenny continued, "Let's take a look at the Knicks' roster."

Jason Kidd (Point Guard)

Li Chen (Shooting Guard)

Richardson (Small Forward)

Odom (Power Forward)

Wang Zhizhi (Center)

"Unexpectedly, Richardson has been promoted to the starting lineup."

"Kenny, have you noticed a problem?"

"What?"

"Kenny, look at this roster, apart from Kidd, isn't it all former Clippers players?"

Kenny Smith was taken aback. "Charles, you know what? It's really like that! This is truly... fate!"

"However, the Knicks have a huge disadvantage: they lack a strong interior presence, and their offensive and defensive rebounding is not reliable. Rebounding is crucial to the outcome of a game."

Barkley scoffed. "It's been like this for so many years, and I've never seen any team beat the Knicks."

Kenny Smith "..."

A short while later, the competition officially began.

Li Chen's random S-rank Skill in this game is [Rebounding Monster]. This skill is pretty good.

Then he started equipping skills, first [Flat Shot], [Pull-up Jumper], [Stylish], [Miracle Shot], and [Iron Wall and Bronze Barrier].

The Celtics on offense.

Rondo receives the ball at the top of the key, Garnett gets past him at a 45-degree angle.

Rondo reacted quickly and passed the ball to Garnett had shaken off Odom's defense.

Garnett then hit a jump shot from a 45-degree angle near the free-throw line.

The Celtics took an early 2-0 lead.

Offense and defense transition, Knicks on offense.

Kidd dribbles between his legs from a step beyond the three-point line.

At this moment, Li Chen ran out from the baseline to receive the ball.

Kidd truly lived up to his reputation as a superb point guard; in the blink of an eye, the basketball was in Li Chen's hands.

The Celtics veterans were well aware of Li Chen's abilities, so Pierce and Garnett immediately double-teamed Li Chen when he got the ball.

However, Li Chen was skilled and daring, and he forced his way into the basket despite being double-teamed by two opponents.

However, at that moment, the referee blew his whistle and called a screen foul on Odom.

Despite Odom's vehement explanation, the referee showed no intention of overturning the decision.

A moment later, Li Chen patted him on the shoulder and said, "Lamar, don't worry about it, the competition has only just begun."

Odom glanced at Li Chen and muttered, "But I didn't foul!"

Li Chen rolled his eyes at him and said, "The referee won't change the decision, what can you do about it?"

Odom "..."

The Knicks continued with their 2-3 Zone Defense.

Rondo suddenly drove towards the basket from outside the arc, but the 2-3 Zone Defense was not afraid of this kind of drive.

As expected, Rondo was double-teamed.

Rondo passed the ball to Garnett.

Garnett takes a jump shot under the basket, but Li Chen and Wang Zhizhi double-team Garnett.

With his shooting percentage reduced by 25%, Garnett's shot went short and bounced off the rim.

Then, while vying for a rebound, he touched the ball out of bounds.

The Knicks are on offense.

The camera then gave a close-up of Alvin Gentry and Celtics head coach Doc Rivers.

Alvin Gentry looked as if he had everything under control.

Doc Rivers, meanwhile, frowned, somewhat surprised that Garnett had missed that shot.

Kidd passed the ball to Odom.

Seeing no opportunity, Odom passed the ball back to Kidd again.

Kidd held the ball with his back to goal, constantly looking towards the attacking third. Just then, Richardson was in open space on the right wing, and Kidd flicked the ball to Richardson.

Richardson attempted a three-point jump shot, but the ball bounced off the rim.

Li Chen, relying on his exceptional reflexes and Rebounding Monster, successfully grabbed the rebound under the basket and put it back in for a layup.

2 to 2 draw.

Rondo tried to drive inside again, but he failed once more.

At that moment Paul Pierce shouted, "Give me the ball!"

A moment later, Rondo passed the ball to Paul Pierce.

At this moment, Li Chen stepped forward and challenged Pierce to a one-on-one duel.

Pierce was slightly annoyed by Li Chen's diligent defense. He turned his back to the ball, then spun around and took a fadeaway jump shot.

Thump! As expected, the ball bounced off the rim.

It was a long rebound, Odom grabbed it.

Odom passed the ball to Kidd.

Immediately afterwards, Kidd and Li Chen made a handoff pass.

Li Chen then broke through, and the Celtics tried to double-team Li Chen.

But at that moment, Kidd immediately set a screen for Li Chen.

Li Chen successfully drove to the basket and drew a foul from Perkins on his layup attempt.

The basketball bounced twice on the emperor's head before finally rolling inside.

Li Chen executed a beautiful 2+1 play.

Li Chen's free throws remained steady.

The Knicks lead the Celtics 2-5, a 3-point advantage.

In the next possession, Ray Allen received a pass from Rondo and immediately shot.

Swish! The basketball goes through the net cleanly.

The score is tied again at 5-5.

The Knicks are on offense.

Richardson drove to the basket, but the Celtics' defense under the basket was very tight.

Seeing no opportunity, he used a "looking back at the moon" pass to Li Chen.

Li Chen immediately pulled up for a three-pointer.

Swish! The basketball goes in.

The Knicks are leading 5-8 again.

At the end of the first quarter, the Celtics led the Knicks 23-21.

In the TNT broadcast room.

In the first quarter, the Knicks' shooting percentage was really bad for most of the game, except for the first few shots, as if they were a completely different team.

"This indirectly shows the Celtics' strength. However, it must be admitted that Li Chen's defense was really good today. The main reason why the Knicks didn't let the Celtics pull away in the first quarter was because of Li Chen's defense."

Hopefully, the Knicks players can adjust in the second quarter.

In the Knicks' rest area, Li Chen thought to himself, "A 20% drop in shooting percentage has indeed significantly reduced our offensive capabilities."

At this point, Alvin Gentry said, "In the second quarter, we'll press the Celtics full-court to wear them down."

Alvin Gentry knew that the Knicks had spent a lot of salary cap space to build their Big Three, and their bench was very weak. So, as long as the starters were exhausted, the Knicks would definitely win.

Meanwhile, Li Chen felt somewhat gratified upon hearing Alvin Gentry's arrangements, realizing that his own coach had also matured.

At the start of the second quarter, Li Chen made a pull-up three-pointer.

The Knicks took the lead 23-24.

The Celtics were on offense, Knicks responded with a full-court press.

Rondo was having a tough time against Kidd's defense, as he was able to dribble the ball up the court quickly.

After a series of passes, the Celtics finally got the ball to Ray Allen.

Ray Allen's layup attempt missed, but he managed to save the ball just before it went out of bounds.

He then passed the ball to Lyon Powell.

Lyon Powell, a hook shot under the basket.

Li Chen attempted to defend, but the basketball bounced off the rim again.

This time, Li Chen didn't miss the rebound.

The Knicks are on offense.

Li Chen drove to the basket, drawing the Celtics' defense, and then passed the ball to Odom on the right wing.

Celtics substitutes provide defensive support.

Odom faked a shot and drove past the Celtics defender into the paint.

James Posey provides help defense again.

Odom didn't attempt a contested shot; instead, he passed the ball to Li Chen.

Li Chen raised his hand and shot, making a mid-range jumper.

The Knicks extended their lead to 23-26.

In the next possession, Ray Allen received a pass from Rondo, turned his back to the basket, faked left and right, and then turned and jumped to shoot, making a mid-range jumper.

15 to 26.

With the game in its 8th minute, both teams' starters had entered the game, and the score was now 39-40, with the Knicks leading the Celtics by 1 point.

It's worth mentioning that Pierce was guarded by Li Chen for 20 minutes, during which he not only picked up three fouls but also only scored a paltry three points, a pitifully low efficiency.

Seeing this, Celtics head coach Doc Rivers decided to substitute Paul Pierce to allow him to adjust his form.

At the same time, Doc Rivers thought to himself, "Li Chen is really strong! His presence has raised the bar for the term 'all-around offensive and defensive' by more than one level."

At the end of the second quarter, the Knicks led by five points, 51-46.

At the start of the third quarter, the Knicks were Celtics.

Alvin Gentry called the first timeout of the third quarter.

After the timeout, Li Chen drove to the basket and drew Paul Pierce's fourth foul with a Euro step layup, resulting in a beautiful 2+1 play for Li Chen.

Li Chen let out a soft breath, then flicked his wrists, and swish! The basketball swished through the net.

The score is tied at 55.

But in the next possession, Garnett received a pass from Pierce and retaliated.

The rest of the match became a close contest.

With seven minutes remaining in the game, Paul Pierce was injured while defending Li Chen's attack.

This gave the Knicks a huge opportunity.

In the following possessions, the Knicks hit several Clutch Shot to take the lead.

So after Odom made a mid-range jumper, he said triumphantly to Li Chen, "Chen, we've got this game in the bag."

Just after Odom finished speaking, and as Li Chen was about to speak, a deafening cheer erupted at TD Stadium.

The cheers stunned the two men, and then they saw Paul Pierce walk out of the players' tunnel.

"Fuck, this works?" Odom complained.

"Lamar, does your face hurt?" Li Chen asked Odom, his eyes fixed on Pierce.

"Uh... a little," Odom said, sounding somewhat annoyed.

Just then, the entire stadium erupted in chants of Paul Pierce's name.

The two exchanged a glance, and Li Chen blinked before asking, "Want one?"

Odom nodded. Just imagining such a scene was exhilarating, and he certainly hoped to experience it once.

Li Chen nodded. "Back on home turf, I'll break your legs..."

As he spoke, Li Chen looked at the score of 70 to 66 and ran towards his own backcourt without any mental burden.

Odom "..."

"Fuck, are you a devil? We're brothers who've been through thick and thin together, how can you do this to me?" Odom angrily accused.

A moment later, Paul Pierce received the ball.

Li Chen adopted a defensive stance, his eyes fixed on his opponent.

At that moment Paul Pierce suddenly said, "Li Chen, we will definitely be the ones to win in the end."

Paul Pierce's sudden words startled Li Chen slightly, and Li Chen was about to utter some trash talk.

Just as Li Chen was about to speak, Pierce's lips curled into a mocking smile.