White-Hot Game

With 2 minutes and 09 seconds left in the game, the match had entered its white-hot phase.

Either team could win this game.

The Pacers were on offense.

Jamal passed the ball to Reggie Miller, and Corey Maggette and Wang Zhizhi immediately employed a double-team strategy.

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

Little O'Neal, with Michael Olowokandi on him, forced his way to the basket for a layup.

Michael Olowokandi knew how important this shot was for the Clippers, and he defended with all his might.

However, in his eagerness, he not only failed to block the shot but also committed a blocking foul.

Michael Olowokandi was dejected. He sat on the floor and slammed his hand down hard, hating his own incompetence.

Just then, a hand reached out.

Michael Olowokandi looked up.

Li Chen smiled and said, "Brother, don't worry about it. We still have a chance."

Michael Olowokandi was momentarily stunned and nodded vigorously.

After helping Michael Olowokandi up, the Pacers' Little O'Neal began to shoot free throws.

Little O'Neal at his peak had a shooting percentage of around 56%, so his free throws were quite reliable. He calmly made the shot.

The score was rewritten to 97-97, with both teams back on the same starting line.

Andre Miller passed the ball to Li Chen.

As soon as Li Chen dribbled to just outside the three-point line, he was double-teamed by two Pacers players.

Michael Olowokandi came over to set a pick-and-roll screen, giving Li Chen the opportunity to get past another Pacers defender.

At this moment, Reggie Miller blocked Li Chen's path.

Li Chen didn't stop, pushing through Reggie Miller and driving hard towards the basket.

Reggie Miller was pushed back repeatedly. He found it hard to believe; Li Chen didn't seem like a power player, but his strength was comparable to that of an average Center.

Just then, Li Chen jumped and attempted a floater.

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

But at that moment, a figure suddenly leaped from behind Reggie Miller.

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

O'Neal had explosive power. Although he didn't block Li Chen's shot, he managed to graze the ball with his fingertips.

This time, luck was not on Li Chen's side, and the ball hit the rim and bounced out.

Fortunately, Michael Olowokandi grabbed the rebound.

Knowing that this was a rare opportunity, Michael Olowokandi didn't hesitate after grabbing the rebound. He immediately jumped again and slammed the ball towards the hoop with both hands.

Just then, Little O'Neal once again displayed his All-Star Player ability, disrupting Michael Olowokandi's dunk.

But the Clippers' offense wasn't over yet; Corey Maggette got the ball.

Corey Maggette leaped high. At the same time, the Pacers' reserve player Harrington also leaped high.

At this moment, Corey Maggette twisted his wrist and passed the ball to Andre Miller at the top of the arc.

Andre Miller was completely unguarded at this point.

Just then, Reggie Miller sprinted desperately towards Andre Miller's position.

Seeing Reggie Miller charging towards him, Andre Miller couldn't help but show a smile.

When Reggie Miller saw this smile, his heart tightened. He suddenly turned and looked somewhere else. The Clippers' number 16, Li Chen, was completely unguarded.

At that moment, Andre Miller passed the ball to Li Chen, who was unguarded in the corner.

Receiving the ball, Li Chen leaped high and, under the watchful eyes of Reggie Miller, the strongest three-point shooter of the era, made the shot.

97-100, the Clippers took the lead again.

Looking at Li Chen's textbook, flawless three-point shot, Reggie Miller shook his head in frustration.

I was careless. In the end, this kid was the finisher. It won't happen next time. I'll keep a close eye on you, Eastern Kid, Reggie Miller thought to himself.

Meanwhile, the fans in the arena, witnessing the Clippers' methodical offense, felt an urge to cheer.

At this point, the Pacers' coach, Smiling Assassin Thomas, substituted Artest back into the game.

The Pacers' offense followed the usual pattern: Jamal passed the ball to Reggie Miller.

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

Little O'Neal once again drove at Michael Olowokandi, who was being pushed back step by step.

Little O'Neal thought he would score two points again this time.

However, this time Michael Olowokandi didn't let him succeed.

Just as Little O'Neal went up for a layup, Michael Olowokandi leaped into the air and swatted it away with a huge block.

After landing, Michael Olowokandi let out a long roar to the sky, venting his frustration.

However, the Pacers' offense wasn't over yet.

Old Miller saved the ball from going out of bounds, adjusted his stance, and got ready to shoot.

Just then, Wang Zhizhi jumped high.

Wang Zhizhi had fallen for it; Reggie Miller's move was just a fake.

After faking out Wang Zhizhi, Reggie Miller leaped high. Just then, Corey Maggette arrived, but he was a step too late.

Corey Maggette gritted his teeth and forcefully hit Reggie Miller's arm.

Corey Maggette knew Reggie Miller's three-point shooting ability all too well, so fouling was the best option.

No miracle happened this time; the ball hit the rim and bounced out.

At this moment, the referee's whistle blew, and Reggie Miller was awarded three free throws.

Li Chen couldn't quite judge whether Corey Maggette's decision was correct.

In his opinion, the foul wasn't worth it, as it was difficult to make a scorer like Reggie Miller miss free throws.

As expected, Reggie Miller made the first two free throws, but to Li Chen's surprise, he missed the third one.

Just then, Michael Olowokandi and Little O'Neal leaped up simultaneously.

But Michael Olowokandi couldn't out-rebound Little O'Neal.

After grabbing the rebound, Little O'Neal jumped straight up and executed a hook shot.

Although Michael Olowokandi leaped with all his might, he was still just a little short.

At this moment, Li Chen jumped high and swatted the ball away.

However, the ball didn't go out of bounds; it was picked up by Artest, who had just entered the game.

Artest dribbled back to the three-point line and then shot the ball.

Swish! The ball went straight through the net.

With a score of 101 to 100, the Pacers had miraculously taken the lead against the Clippers.

At the same time, there were still 90 seconds left in the game.

Li Chen stood with his hands on his hips, looking helplessly at the bright red, glaring score of 101 to 100 above the basket. He thought to himself, This is bullshit! Does this count as an assist for me?

Suppressing his inner complaints, Li Chen looked at Michael Olowokandi, knowing that Michael Olowokandi was still blaming himself for not getting the rebound.

Li Chen patted Michael Olowokandi on the shoulder to comfort him, "Michael Olowokandi, don't be like this. We haven't lost yet; we still have a chance."

Michael Olowokandi nodded.