The Game Reached a Fever Pitch

There were 2 minutes and 9 seconds left in the game, and the action had reached a fever pitch.

Either team could still win.

The Pacers went on offense.

Jamal passed the ball to Reggie Miller, and Corey Maggette and Wang Zhizhi immediately double-teamed him.

Seeing that he had drawn two Clippers defenders, Reggie Miller decisively passed to Little O'Neal under the basket.

Little O'Neal powered past Michael Olowokandi and forced up a layup.

Michael Olowokandi knew how important this possession was to the Clippers, so he defended with everything he had.

But he was so anxious that not only did he fail to stop the shot, he also picked up a blocking foul.

Michael Olowokandi sat on the floor, frustrated, and slapped it hard with his hand. He cursed himself for being so useless.

Just then, a hand reached out to him.

Michael Olowokandi looked up.

Li Chen smiled and consoled him. "It's all right, brother. Don't let it get to you. We still have a chance."

Michael Olowokandi froze for a moment, then nodded firmly.

After helping Michael Olowokandi up, Little O'Neal of the Pacers stepped to the line.

At his peak, Little O'Neal shot around 56 percent from the field, so he was fairly reliable at the free-throw line, too. He calmly sank the shot.

The score changed again: 97–97. The teams were back on even footing.

Andre Miller passed the ball to Li Chen.

Li Chen had barely dribbled to a spot not far beyond the three-point line when two Pacers players closed in to double-team him.

Michael Olowokandi came over to set a screen. Taking advantage of it, Li Chen slipped past the other Pacers defender.

Reggie Miller stepped in front of Li Chen.

Li Chen didn't slow down. He drove hard toward the basket, pushing right into Reggie Miller.

Reggie Miller was driven backward again and again. He could hardly believe it. Li Chen didn't look like a power player, yet he was nearly as strong as an average center.

Just then, Li Chen jumped and put up a floater.

Reggie Miller leaped with all his might, but still couldn't touch the ball.

At that moment, a figure suddenly sprang up behind Reggie Miller.

It was none other than the Pacers' star player, Little O'Neal.

O'Neal had plenty of explosiveness. He couldn't block Li Chen's shot, but he managed to graze the ball with his fingertips.

This time, luck wasn't on Li Chen's side, and the ball bounced off the rim.

Fortunately, Michael Olowokandi grabbed the rebound.

Knowing how precious the opportunity was, Michael Olowokandi didn't hesitate after securing the ball. He jumped again and slammed it toward the hoop with both hands.

Just then, Little O'Neal showed off his All-Star Player talent once more and disrupted Michael Olowokandi's dunk.

But the Clippers' possession wasn't over. Corey Maggette scooped up the ball.

Corey Maggette leaped high, and Pacers substitute Harrington jumped up to meet him.

At the last moment, Corey Maggette turned his wrist and passed the ball to Andre Miller at the top of the key.

Andre Miller was wide open.

Reggie Miller sprinted desperately toward him.

Andre Miller watched Reggie Miller charging toward him, and a smile crept onto his face.

When Reggie Miller saw that smile, his heart tightened. He spun around and looked in another direction. The Clippers' number 16, Li Chen, was wide open.

Just then, Andre Miller passed to Li Chen, who was unguarded in the corner.

Li Chen caught the ball and leaped high. With Reggie Miller, the best three-point shooter in the game, watching, he sank the shot.

97–100. The Clippers took the lead again.

Watching Li Chen's picture-perfect three-point shot, Reggie Miller could only shake his head.

I let my guard down. In the end, that kid was the one they were setting up. Not next time. I'll stick to you like glue, Eastern Kid. Reggie Miller thought to himself.

Meanwhile, the fans in the arena watched the Clippers' methodical attack and felt an urge to cheer.

Just then, the Pacers' coach, Smiling Assassin Thomas, sent Artest back onto the court.

The Pacers stuck to their usual play. Jamal passed the ball to Reggie Miller.

Reggie Miller passed it to Little O'Neal under the basket.

Little O'Neal went at Michael Olowokandi again, and Michael was driven backward step by step.

Little O'Neal thought he would get the same result as before and score another two points.

But this time, Michael Olowokandi didn't let him.

As Little O'Neal went up for the layup, Michael Olowokandi sprang into the air and swatted the shot away with a huge block.

After landing, Michael Olowokandi threw his head back and roared, letting out all his pent-up frustration.

But the Pacers' possession wasn't over.

Old Miller saved the ball just before it went out of bounds, adjusted slightly, and took up a shooting stance.

Wang Zhizhi leaped high.

Wang Zhizhi had fallen for it. Reggie Miller had only been faking the shot.

After sending Wang Zhizhi flying, Reggie Miller leaped high. Corey Maggette rushed over, but he was a step too late.

Corey Maggette steeled himself and struck Reggie Miller hard on the arm.

Corey Maggette knew all too well how good Reggie Miller was at shooting threes, so fouling him was the best option.

There was no miracle. The ball bounced off the rim.

The referee's whistle sounded, and Reggie Miller was awarded three free throws.

Li Chen couldn't say whether Corey Maggette had made the right call.

In his view, it wasn't worth fouling him, since it was difficult to make a scorer like Reggie Miller miss.

Sure enough, Reggie Miller made his first two free throws. But to Li Chen's surprise, he missed the third.

Michael Olowokandi and Little O'Neal jumped for the rebound at the same time.

But Michael Olowokandi couldn't outjump Little O'Neal.

Little O'Neal caught the rebound and immediately jumped, putting up a hook shot.

Michael Olowokandi leaped with all his might, but came up just short.

Just then, Li Chen sprang high into the air and swatted the ball away.

However, the ball stayed in bounds and was scooped up by Artest, who had just entered the game.

Artest dribbled back to the three-point line, then launched the ball.

Swish! The ball went straight through the net.

101–100. The Pacers had somehow taken the lead over the Clippers.

There were still 90 seconds left in the game.

Li Chen stood with his hands on his hips, staring helplessly at the bright red, glaring 101–100 above the basket. What the hell! Does that count as an assist?

Putting aside his complaints, Li Chen looked at Michael Olowokandi. He knew Michael was still blaming himself for failing to get the rebound.

Li Chen patted Michael Olowokandi on the shoulder and reassured him. "Michael Olowokandi, don't be like that. We haven't lost. We still have a chance."

Michael Olowokandi nodded.