The Target Center was packed and roaring, a testament to Garnett's standing in this arena.
The Clippers' starting lineup today was:
Andre Miller (Point Guard)
Li Chen (Shooting Guard)
Corey Maggette (Small Forward)
Elton Brand (Power Forward)
Michael Olowokandi (Center)
The Timberwolves' starting lineup was:
Strickland (Point Guard)
Gill (Shooting Guard)
Joe Smith (Small Forward)
Garnett (Power Forward)
Nester (Center)
A moment later, the game officially began amid the deafening cheers of the Timberwolves fans.
Nester won the tip for the Timberwolves, and Wolf King Garnett grabbed the ball. Like a true wolf king, he charged toward the basket.
Elton Brand couldn't stop Wolf King Garnett at all.
The Timberwolves drew first blood, taking a 2–0 lead.
The teams switched ends.
Andre Miller dribbled the ball into the frontcourt.
At the same time, Garnett stood in front of Li Chen and said coldly, "You won't score more than ten points today."
Li Chen curled his lip and shot back sarcastically, "You're no Larry Bird."
"Hmph! But you're no Michael Jordan either."
Garnett was making it clear that he looked down on Li Chen.
Li Chen knew exactly what Garnett meant.
"We'll see about that!" Li Chen said, then charged toward the paint.
When Garnett saw Li Chen run toward the basket, he looked puzzled. Wasn't the kid a perimeter player? What was he doing heading inside?
Garnett had no idea what Li Chen was up to, but he had confidently told the media that he'd hold Li Chen to under ten points. So he had to shut down this Eastern Kid.
Andre Miller saw no chance to pass the ball to Li Chen, so he passed it straight to Elton Brand, who was cutting inside.
Brand caught the ball and took a little floater, but Joe Smith got a hand in his face. The shot missed and bounced off the rim.
Just then, Li Chen sprang into the air and grabbed the ball with both hands. He immediately powered it down into the hoop.
Li Chen scored on the putback dunk, tying the game at 2–2.
Li Chen glanced at the astonished Garnett, as if to say, I've got two points. Eight to go, so you'd better watch out. Next time, don't let me score so easily.
Seeing Li Chen's expression, Garnett ground his teeth in frustration.
He'd never expected Li Chen to have a knack for grabbing rebounds. That burst of speed just now had seemed even better than his own.
Still, grabbing rebounds took more than just speed.
"Don't get cocky, Eastern Kid."
Garnett called for the ball, then drove to the basket again and scored.
The Timberwolves took the lead again, 4–2.
Garnett looked at Li Chen once more.
Li Chen ignored him, bent down to pick up the ball, and passed it to Andre Miller. Then he said quietly, "Dribble it up the court, then you can shoot a three."
With that, Li Chen passed the ball to Andre Miller and ran upcourt.
As Andre Miller dribbled up the court, he thought in a daze, You've got to be kidding. If I start chucking shots, the coach will pull me from the starting lineup. I'm not you—I'm not the coach's favorite.
Then Andre Miller noticed Strickland was standing a little too far back. Though he was grumbling to himself, for some reason he shot the ball anyway.
Without realizing it, Li Chen had inspired a sense of trust in the veteran Andre Miller.
Strickland leaped to contest the shot. He didn't block the ball, but he badly rattled Andre Miller.
The ball smacked off the rim. Just as Andre Miller expected, it bounced away. He sighed, a wry smile on his lips. Sure enough, no good.
Just then, a figure leaped high beneath the basket and pulled down the rebound. Then he tossed the ball back to Andre Miller.
Andre Miller caught the ball and froze for a moment. Then he shot again without hesitation.
Bang! Another miss.
Swish! The ball flew back from under the basket once more. Andre Miller was stunned. What's gotten into Li Chen today?
Lost in thought, he raised his hands and shot the ball again.
Bang! The ball bounced off the rim again, but this time it didn't bounce out. It dropped straight through the hoop.
The score changed to 5–4, with the Clippers ahead by one.
At that moment, Andre Miller finally understood why Li Chen had told him to shoot threes.
Garnett was starting to question his own eyes. He'd boxed out well just now, yet this Eastern Kid had still managed to grab the rebound.
Suddenly, he thought of Rodman, the rebounding champion from his days with the Chicago Bulls, and his uncanny sense for judging where the ball would land.
His pupils suddenly contracted. No way. Is the league about to get another Rebounding Monster? Fuck you—I don't believe it.
At the same time, Li Chen marveled at how effective his S-rank rebounding ability was today.
[Rebounding Monster: Greatly enhances the host's sense for rebounds and gives him an 80% chance of securing one.]
Garnett attacked with the ball again. Elton Brand still couldn't stop him, and Garnett scored once more.
The score changed again. The Timberwolves regained the lead, 6–5.
There was no denying that Garnett was not only eager to score today, but extremely efficient as well. He was now three for three.
The Clippers went on offense.
Garnett, who was guarding Li Chen, suddenly started talking trash.
"What's the matter, Eastern Kid? Too scared to attack? You were pretty active last game. Keep shooting threes! What, did a woman leave your legs too weak last night?"
Li Chen smiled without responding to Garnett, but he answered with his actions.
Li Chen raised his hand, signaling for Andre Miller to pass him the ball.
Andre Miller flicked the ball over to him.
Li Chen held the ball in both hands, crouching low with a sharp gaze fixed on Garnett, like a lone wolf stalking its prey.
Garnett wasn't intimidated. He lowered his stance too and spread his arms, staring at Li Chen as he silently swore that he wouldn't let this Eastern Kid walk all over him again.
The ball struck the floor in a steady rhythm. "Thump, thump, thump"—short, rhythmic beats.
The ball hit the floor faster and faster. When the rhythm reached its peak, Li Chen's body and the ball suddenly shifted as far to the left as they could.
Garnett moved with him, but didn't commit his weight fully to the left. He had to guard against Li Chen changing direction.
Just then, Li Chen suddenly used the momentum to spin, slipping right past Garnett's defense and darting toward the basket.
Garnett's expression changed abruptly. He hadn't expected Li Chen to move so quickly. He realized he'd let his guard down and underestimated this Eastern player. At that moment, he began to take the Eastern Kid seriously.
If he kept acting so arrogantly, he could end up getting embarrassed today.
As those thoughts flashed through his mind, Garnett quickly turned and chased after Li Chen, who was half a step ahead of him.
When Garnett saw Nester and Joe Smith waiting under the basket, the tension in his chest finally eased a little.
With Nester and Joe Smith ahead of Li Chen and himself behind, there was no way the kid could shoot.
He has to pass. This time, I'm stealing the ball.
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