Reggie Miller Wasn't Past His Prime

Barkley shook his head. "Kenny, not necessarily! If that little punk Artest knocks Chen unconscious with an elbow, the Pacers win, don't they?"

"Huh?" Kenny Smith blinked, then looked at Barkley in surprise. The two of them burst out laughing at the same time.

Kenny Smith realized that his old buddy's way of thinking was getting more and more bizarre.

Meanwhile, Li Chen got up from the floor and gave Artest a meaningful look before heading to the free-throw line.

That look seemed to say, Artest, you really are good for nothing but fighting and grabbing people on defense, huh?

Artest understood what Li Chen meant. He clenched his fists and ground his teeth. Fuck, I refuse to believe I can't stop you.

Li Chen's free throw was steady. Swish! He made the and-one.

2–5. The Clippers led by three.

Reggie Miller shook his head helplessly. The Eastern Kid was unbelievably lucky today. He hoped the Pacers wouldn't have the same rotten luck as the Lakers.

The Pacers went on offense.

The ball was passed to Reggie Miller again. He caught it and pretended to shoot.

Corey Maggette knew how dangerous Reggie Miller was, so he went straight up for the fake.

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Reggie Miller's mouth. You took the bait.

In the same instant, he launched the ball high into the air.

Just then, Li Chen arrived and leaped up. He didn't block the shot, but he knew there was an 80 percent chance it would miss.

Reggie Miller's heart sank. He had clearly felt Li Chen's fingertips graze the ball as he shot. It might miss.

So he shouted, "Rebound!"

Sure enough, just as Reggie Miller had expected, the shot missed.

But the Pacers had one of the best centers in the league.

Little O'Neal leaped up and tipped the ball in.

4–5. The Clippers still led by one.

The Pacers had scored on that possession, much to Li Chen's regret. He grabbed the ball in the backcourt.

Artest immediately pressed up against him.

Seeing this, Li Chen felt helpless. "Hey, hey, hey! We're in the backcourt. Do you really have to go that hard?"

Artest glared. "What's it to you? I'm doing what I want. I—"

But before he could finish, someone slipped right past him. Li Chen had beaten him again.

Only then did Artest realize he'd been fooled. Fuck, you sneaky Eastern Kid. He gritted his teeth and chased after him.

Li Chen was fast, reaching just inside the three-point line in the blink of an eye.

Reggie Miller came over to help on defense. Li Chen stopped abruptly, the squeal of rubber against the floor ringing out.

At the same time, Li Chen straightened up, pretending to pull up for a jump shot.

But Reggie Miller was a veteran and didn't fall for it. He stood firm, blocking Li Chen's path.

Elton Brand came over to set a screen for Li Chen.

Li Chen used it to get past Reggie Miller's defense. As soon as he entered the lane, Little O'Neal, guarding the basket, charged out and got in his way.

Li Chen's gaze shifted. He spotted Michael Olowokandi open and passed him the ball without hesitation.

His floater had an 80 percent chance of going in, but if he passed to Michael Olowokandi, the shot was a sure thing. Naturally, he chose the latter.

With a bang, Michael Olowokandi slammed the ball through the hoop.

4–7. The Clippers still led by three.

The score continued to seesaw as the two teams traded baskets.

Both teams shot very well in the first quarter. It ended with the Clippers ahead, 31–30.

At the end of the first quarter, Li Chen had 12 points, 4 assists, and 1 steal.

During the second-quarter rotation, Reggie Miller hit three straight three-pointers, leading a 9–0 run that forced the Clippers to call a timeout.

Li Chen sat in the rest area, looking at the 39–31 score. That Artest is such a tough matchup. I need to get him out of the game as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Coach Alvin Gentry was laying out a strategy to contain Reggie Miller.

After finishing his instructions, Alvin Gentry turned to Li Chen. "Chen, take some more threes, too."

Li Chen nodded, but grumbled to himself, I want to, but Artest won't give me a chance to take an open three!

The timeout ended, and play resumed.

The Clippers had a frontcourt inbound.

Artest was playing clingy defense to perfection, and Li Chen had a hard time getting the ball.

"Hey, Artest, if you keep defending me like this, will you really have anything left in the second half?" Li Chen said, just making conversation.

Artest clenched his teeth and didn't answer. Instead, he pressed even closer, as if he wanted to wrap his arms around Li Chen.

Li Chen cursed inwardly. Damn it. Then he turned his back to Artest and drove forward with the ball.

Artest was pushed back again and again, completely bewildered. What was going on? How could this kid be so strong?

Just as Artest braced himself and struggled against Li Chen, Li Chen suddenly stopped pushing. Artest was caught off guard.

At the same time, Li Chen spun around and slipped past him. Then he shot toward the basket like an arrow.

Little O'Neal came over to help again.

Ignoring Little O'Neal's imposing size, Li Chen leaped high and went straight for a floater.

Little O'Neal failed to block the ball, but instead struck Li Chen hard on the arm.

This time, Li Chen wasn't so lucky. The ball missed.

The referee blew the whistle, and Li Chen was awarded two free throws.

Li Chen remained as steady as ever, sinking both shots despite the Pacers fans' boos.

39–33. The Clippers still trailed by six.

The Clippers all retreated on defense. Just then, an unexpected play unfolded.

Elton Brand knocked the ball away from the Pacers' Brad Miller.

But Elton Brand couldn't complete the steal, which left him disappointed.

Li Chen, who hadn't yet crossed half court, suddenly turned around. His legs tensed, and he darted toward the ball like an arrow loosed from a bow.

Just as the ball was about to go out of bounds, he batted it toward where Elton Brand was, then crashed hard onto the floor.

Ignoring the pain, Li Chen got back up and charged toward the basket.

On the other side, Elton Brand saw what happened and couldn't help twitching the corner of his mouth. Fuck, Chen is going way too hard!

Elton Brand caught the ball and charged toward the basket.

Brad Miller, who had been about to inbound the ball, came to his senses and stayed right beside Elton Brand.

Elton Brand leaped.

Brad Miller jumped with him.

In the air, Elton Brand evaded Brad Miller's block, but the ball bounced off the rim and didn't go in.

Just then, a figure leaped up from behind and slammed the ball through the hoop.

39–35. Less than 20 seconds after the timeout, the Clippers had scored four straight points.

Those two points were all thanks to Li Chen's hustle.

The Pacers fans were stunned by how he gave everything he had on the court, and they couldn't help feeling a little admiration for him.