Undercover Player

The Pacers did not call a timeout despite the Clippers scoring four consecutive points.

The game continued, and the Clippers' strategy to contain Reggie Miller was to double-team him.

"You can pass, but you can't shoot threes," the coach seemed to say. Even if other Pacers players made their shots, it wouldn't matter. Alvin Gentry specifically valued Li Chen's consistency today.

Therefore, the Clippers weren't afraid of two-point shots; they were afraid of three-pointers like Reggie Miller's.

Double-teamed, Reggie Miller didn't force his own offense and decisively passed the ball to his teammates.

As time ticked away, the second quarter became increasingly intense. The score fluctuated, with the lead oscillating between two and four points.

At the end of the first half, the Pacers held a slim one-point lead, 55 to 54.

In the TNT broadcast booth.

"I have to say, the intensity of this game is truly exciting. This is how a game should be to be fierce and engaging," Barkley commented.

Kenny Smith nodded, then shifted the topic. "Let's look at the scoring of the star players for both teams in this game."

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't praise that Eastern Kid too much. He's just a rookie, and one that nobody paid attention to. I don't know what the league is thinking, letting a talent like that go unnoticed?" Barkley complained.

Kenny Smith sighed helplessly upon hearing this and said, "You might not know this, but the league saw that Mr. Baylor had a difficult life, so they left Li Chen for him."

Hearing that name, Barkley felt a pang of emotion.

His thoughts returning, Barkley stated with certainty, "I bet Mr. Baylor will be the Executive of the Year this year. If the Clippers can make the playoffs this year, Mr. Baylor might even become a legend!"

"Haha! Then let's congratulate Mr. Baylor in advance," Kenny Smith chimed in.

Honestly, any player who had played in the NBA felt sympathy for Old Man Baylor, a renowned figure in the NBA.

The Pacers' Little O'Neal was 9-for-23 from the field, with 18 points, 8 rebounds, 1 block, and 3 fouls. All three fouls were committed while rotating to defend Li Chen.

"It's worth mentioning that Artest, who is primarily defending Li Chen in this game, already has 4 fouls. If this bad boy doesn't restrain his actions, Li Chen will likely get him fouled out in the third quarter," Smith said with a smile.

Barkley nodded and added, "If not for Artest's tight defense, Li Chen's performance today would have been even better."

"Let's take a look at the stats for the Clippers' Li Chen in this game."

Clippers' Li Chen: 10-for-20 from the field, 50% shooting, 24 points (4 from free throws), 7 assists, 1 steal, 4 rebounds.

"Li Chen's performance in the NBA has been remarkable. So far, his average score is 26.5 points, which is three points higher than Iverson's in the 97-98 season. Of course, this statistic can't be taken as definitive, as Li Chen hasn't played 10 games yet," Kenny Smith commented objectively.

Barkley nodded, then changed the subject. "Kenny, do you think Chen can force Artest, that bad boy, to foul out in the second half?"

Kenny Smith sensed Barkley's eagerness to bet and thought for a moment. "That... is hard to say."

He then added, "However, if Li Chen starts talking trash in the second half and provokes Artest... then he'll definitely foul out."

Seeing that Kenny Smith wasn't giving him an opportunity to bet, Barkley looked disappointed.

The third quarter began, and both teams seemed to fall into a slump, missing shots consecutively. They both lost their rhythm.

Even Li Chen was no exception, with very low efficiency.

At the end of the third quarter, the Pacers led by five points, 70 to 65.

In this game, the Clippers only led in the first quarter; otherwise, they were suppressed for the rest of the time.

It's worth noting that Artest had five fouls, just one step away from being disqualified. However, Li Chen didn't feel any hesitation from Artest; he continued to defend Li Chen fiercely.

When the fourth quarter started, the Clippers' shooting touch warmed up, and they even managed to take the lead.

But the clutch player Reggie Miller hit two consecutive difficult three-pointers, extinguishing the Clippers' arrogant momentum.

With three minutes left in the fourth quarter, due to excessive physical exertion, Artest's defense on Li Chen significantly weakened.

So, the Pacers' coach substituted Artest for a two-minute rest.

At the same time, Alvin Gentry took Elton Brand off the court and brought in Odom.

At this moment, Li Chen glanced at the score on the big screen: 90-92. The Clippers were temporarily leading.

He thought for a moment, feeling that his shooting touch was good at this moment, and decided to take a risky shot to force Artest to foul out again and eliminate future trouble.

As he dribbled past half-court, he was about to shoot.

But then he reconsidered, feeling the probability was low. He dribbled again to the logo area and flicked the ball towards the basket.

Since Li Chen hadn't shot any three-pointers throughout the game, the Pacers players had forgotten that Li Chen was also an excellent three-point shooter.

The ball soared high, tracing a beautiful arc towards the net.

90-95. The Clippers led by 5 points.

However, the Pacers' coach, the "Smiling Assassin" Thomas, showed no intention of putting Artest back in the game.

Just as Li Chen made a three-pointer, the Pacers' Reggie Miller responded with a 3-point play.

94-95. The Pacers narrowed the score to just one point.

Seeing this, Alvin Gentry's teeth ached. "Odom, you useless teammate!"

At the same time, Odom felt wronged! He had wanted to perform well, but this happened.

Li Chen felt helpless; this guy was like a mole player.

At the same time, Alvin Gentry, furious, took Odom out and replaced him with Wang Zhizhi.

Andre Miller panted, watching Li Chen reach out. He felt a pang of emotion; youth was good, that stamina... He immediately passed the ball to Li Chen.

As soon as Li Chen dribbled past half-court, Reggie Miller closed in.

Although Reggie Miller hadn't boasted to the reporters like Garnett, he didn't want to lose either.

Li Chen let out a long breath, lowering his center of gravity slightly, and then he suddenly accelerated.

Reggie Miller kept pace with Li Chen, his small steps quick.

Just then, Li Chen suddenly stopped short. The soles of his shoes shrieked as he abruptly straightened his body, feigning a shot.

Reggie Miller tensed up as well. After a moment's hesitation, he chose not to jump to block.

During Reggie Miller's moment of hesitation, Li Chen suddenly spun past him.

At the same time, seeing Li Chen break through, the Pacers players swarmed him.

Li Chen was unfazed, leaping high between the two of them.

Simultaneously, Little O'Neal and Brad Miller leaped up, sealing off Li Chen's shooting space.

Li Chen didn't force the shot. He flicked his wrist and passed the ball to Wang Zhizhi.

The pass was perfect. Wang Zhizhi hit the mid-range jump shot.

94-97, the Clippers regained a three-point lead.