The Decoy Player

The Pacers did not call a timeout after the Clippers scored four straight points.

The game continued, and the Clippers' way of shutting down Reggie Miller was to double-team him.

They didn't mind if he passed the ball, but he couldn't shoot threes. Even if the other Pacers scored, that was fine. Alvin Gentry was counting on Li Chen's consistency tonight.

So the Clippers weren't afraid of two-pointers. They were only worried about threes from players like Reggie Miller.

With the defense closing in on him, Reggie Miller didn't force his own offense. He decisively passed the ball to a teammate.

As time passed, the second quarter grew increasingly tight. The score swung back and forth, fluctuating between a two- and four-point difference.

At halftime, the Pacers held a one-point lead, 55–54.

Inside the TNT broadcast room.

"I have to say, the intensity of this game is really exciting. This is how a game should be—hard-fought and worth watching," Barkley commented.

Kenny Smith nodded, then changed the subject. "Let's take a look at the scoring from each team's star player in this game."

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't give that Eastern Kid too much credit. He's just a rookie—the kind nobody wanted. I don't know what's going on with the league. How could a talent like him go unnoticed?" Barkley complained.

Kenny Smith looked a little helpless at that. "You may not know this, but the league saw how Mr. Baylor had such a difficult life, so they left Li Chen for the old man."

At the mention of that name, Barkley felt a pang of emotion.

Coming back to himself, Barkley said confidently, "I bet Mr. Baylor will be Executive of the Year. If the Clippers make the Playoffs this year, Mr. Baylor might become a legend!"

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

To be honest, every player who played in the NBA felt sympathy for Old Man Baylor, a revered figure in the league.

The Pacers' Little O'Neal had gone 9-for-23, scoring 18 points with 8 rebounds, 1 block, and 3 fouls. All three fouls had come while helping defend against the Clippers' Li Chen.

"Worth noting, Artest, who's been guarding Li Chen for most of the game, already has four fouls. If that bad boy doesn't rein in his play, Li Chen will probably foul him out in the third quarter," Smith said with a laugh.

Barkley nodded, then added, "Without Artest's tight defense, Li Chen would definitely have played even better tonight."

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

The Clippers' Li Chen had gone 10-for-20, shooting 50 percent, with 24 points, including 4 from free throws, 7 assists, 1 steal, and 4 rebounds.

"Li Chen's performance since entering the NBA has been impressive. So far, he's averaging 26.5 points per game, three more than Iverson did in the 1997–98 season. Of course, that stat doesn't really count yet, since Li Chen hasn't even played ten games," Kenny Smith said fairly.

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

Kenny Smith picked up on Barkley's eagerness to make a bet. He thought for a moment. "That's... hard to say."

Then he added, "But if Li Chen talks trash in the second half and gets Artest angry, then he'll definitely foul out."

When Kenny Smith didn't give him a chance to propose a bet, Barkley looked a little disappointed.

The third quarter began, and both teams seemed to fall into a strange rut, missing shot after shot until they found a rhythm.

Even Li Chen was struggling, shooting very poorly.

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

Aside from the first quarter, the Clippers had been under pressure for the rest of the game.

Worth noting, Artest had five fouls and was just one step away from fouling out. But Li Chen hadn't seen any hesitation in his defense; he was still guarding him fiercely.

After the fourth quarter began, the Clippers' shooting warmed up, and for a while they took the lead.

But Reggie Miller, the man for big moments, answered with two tough three-pointers in a row, snuffing out the Clippers' momentum.

With three minutes left in the fourth quarter, Artest's defense on Li Chen weakened considerably because he was exhausted.

So the Pacers' coach took Artest out to rest for two minutes.

At the same time, Alvin Gentry took Elton Brand out to rest and put Odom in.

Li Chen glanced up at the scoreboard. It read 90–92, with the Clippers narrowly ahead.

He thought his shot felt good, so he decided to fire off a reckless shot and force Artest back onto the court, then foul the bad boy out to eliminate any future trouble.

As he dribbled across half court, he was about to shoot.

But after reconsidering, he decided the odds weren't good enough. When he dribbled up to the logo in the frontcourt, he flicked the ball toward the basket.

Li Chen hadn't taken a single three-pointer all game, so the Pacers players had forgotten that he was an excellent three-point shooter too.

The ball soared high, tracing a beautiful arc before dropping through the net.

90–95. The Clippers led by five.

But Pacers coach Thomas, the Smiling Assassin, had no intention of putting Artest back in.

Li Chen had just hit a three, and Reggie Miller answered right back, completing a three-point play.

94–95. The Pacers suddenly cut the lead to one.

Seeing this, Alvin Gentry felt a headache coming on. Odom, you idiot! You're playing for the other team!

Odom felt wronged too. He'd wanted to play well. Who knew it would turn out like this?

Li Chen was helpless. This guy was a straight-up decoy for the other team.

At the same time, Alvin Gentry was so angry that he immediately took Odom out and sent Wang Zhizhi in.

Andre Miller, breathing heavily, looked at Li Chen holding out his hand and couldn't help feeling that youth really was wonderful. That stamina... He handed the ball to Li Chen.

As soon as Li Chen dribbled over half court, Reggie Miller moved in close.

Reggie Miller hadn't run his mouth to reporters like Garnett had, but he didn't want to lose either.

Li Chen let out a long breath and lowered his center of gravity slightly. Then he suddenly accelerated.

Reggie Miller hurried alongside him with quick, short steps.

Just then, Li Chen stopped abruptly. As his sneakers squealed, he straightened up sharply, making a motion that looked like a shot.

Reggie Miller tensed too, but after hesitating for a moment, he chose not to jump for the block.

In that instant of hesitation, Li Chen suddenly spun around and got past Reggie Miller.

Seeing Li Chen drive in, the Pacers players converged on him.

Li Chen wasn't intimidated. He leaped high toward the two defenders.

Little O'Neal and Brad Miller jumped up together, shutting off Li Chen's shooting space.

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

Li Chen delivered the pass perfectly, and Wang Zhizhi sank the mid-range jumper.

94–97. The Clippers were back up by three.