Just then, Alvin Gentry called a timeout.
Both teams headed for their respective benches.
Inside the TNT broadcast room.
"Kenny, this is the most exciting game I've seen all year. It's shown me how quickly things can change on the court. The tension is so intense, it makes me wish I could be out there with them," Barkley said excitedly.
Kenny Smith nodded in agreement. He felt the same way. "Charles, I feel exactly the same. No matter which team wins today, it won't be a surprise. And there won't be any losers."
Barkley nodded, then changed the subject. "I wonder what kind of play Coach Alvin Gentry will draw up during this timeout?"
Kenny Smith thought it over and offered his guess. "Probably something about rebounding. Michael Olowokandi failing to grab that last rebound has sounded the alarm for the Clippers."
Barkley nodded. He also thought Michael Olowokandi should have gotten that rebound.
At the Clippers' bench, Alvin Gentry fell silent for a moment before speaking. "For the next 90 seconds, we have to protect the boards. And whenever possible, get the ball to Chen and let him finish."
It was clear that Alvin Gentry was giving Li Chen the green light to shoot whenever he wanted.
Actually, Alvin Gentry wanted Li Chen to protect the rim, but if Li Chen left the offense, no one else could score.
Alvin Gentry had come to realize that the only truly reliable player on the entire Clippers team was Chen, the Eastern Kid.
The other players all nodded. They felt a little envious, but not jealous; Li Chen had won them over with his performance.
There was, of course, one exception. Odom was jealous!
Li Chen knew his own limitations. After thinking it over, he spoke up. "Coach, I'd like the freedom to choose when to shoot."
Alvin Gentry and the other players all stared at Li Chen in surprise.
Odom was taken aback too, then sneered. "What, afraid of taking responsibility? Trying to pass the blame? You'll never become a superstar acting like that."
Li Chen turned to look at Odom, thinking how this guy really did seize on every opportunity to butt in.
"Odom, shut up!" Alvin Gentry roared, a vein bulging in his forehead.
Then Alvin Gentry looked at Li Chen and said seriously, "All right! Do it your way."
Li Chen nodded solemnly.
Alvin Gentry continued, "Elton Brand, you'll replace Michael Olowokandi for the rest of the game. Wang, you'll play center."
Wang Zhizhi was surprised, but even more excited. At last, he had a chance to prove himself. He swore he would make the most of it.
Michael Olowokandi, meanwhile, looked dejected.
Li Chen patted him on the shoulder to comfort him.
The timeout ended.
The Clippers inbounded the ball.
Artest stuck close to Li Chen again. Li Chen blinked at him. "Oh, you're back! Honestly, your stamina really isn't very good."
Artest gritted his teeth, wishing he could elbow the bastard.
Just then, Li Chen made a cut and shook Artest.
Andre Miller reacted quickly and passed the ball to Li Chen.
Artest, who had just caught up, lowered his center of gravity and kept shifting with Li Chen, applying defensive pressure.
Li Chen suddenly accelerated, feinting as if he were about to drive past Artest.
Artest stepped out with one foot, blocking Li Chen's path to the basket.
At that instant, Li Chen spun around, sending the ball between Artest's long legs.
He and the ball got past Artest together, but Li Chen's dribbling was only average, and the move was a little sloppy.
After he got past Artest, Little O'Neal and Reggie Miller both rushed over to defend him.
Li Chen took three steps toward the basket, faked a shot, then passed to Wang Zhizhi. Wang banked the ball in.
The score was 101–102.
There were 76 seconds left.
The Pacers controlled the pace and slowly advanced the ball upcourt.
A short while later, after several passes, the ball ended up back in Little O'Neal's hands.
The Pacers kept going to Little O'Neal because the Clippers had no big man who could match him.
Seeing that Wang Zhizhi couldn't hold Little O'Neal off, Li Chen had no choice but to leave Artest and double-team him.
Little O'Neal forced his way up for a shot, but Li Chen and Wang Zhizhi disrupted it with a double-team, and the ball missed.
Although the shot didn't go in, Little O'Neal grabbed the rebound and went back up—but Li Chen blocked him.
The ball stayed inbounds, and Jamal picked it up. Just then, Andre Miller knocked the ball away while Jamal was off guard.
Andre Miller and Jamal then scrambled for possession, and the court descended into chaos.
The referee didn't blow the whistle.
Brand finally recovered the ball and immediately dribbled toward the other end of the court.
But just then, Reggie Miller grabbed him.
Elton Brand was furious.
The referee blew the whistle, and Elton Brand went to the free-throw line. He was nervous, because these two shots were crucial for his team.
Elton Brand missed the first free throw, and he was frustrated.
The other Clippers players came over to slap his hand and tell him not to get nervous.
Li Chen also walked over to comfort him. "Brand, you've already missed one. Don't worry about it."
Hearing that, Elton Brand rolled his eyes. Why did Li Chen's attempts at comfort always sound so awkward?
Elton Brand scowled. "Chen, I'm begging you—don't say anything next time."
Still, Li Chen's casual remark helped Elton Brand relax. He sank the second free throw.
The score was 101–103, with the Clippers leading by two.
Only 27 seconds remained in the game.
The Clippers called another timeout to discuss their defensive strategy.
Inside the TNT broadcast room.
"Kenny, want to make a bet?" Barkley asked eagerly.
Kenny Smith thought it over, then smiled. "Sure, but..." He changed course. "I'm picking the Clippers to win."
Hearing that, Barkley hesitated, silently cursing Kenny Smith for being a crafty old fox.
It was obvious that the Clippers had a much better chance of winning than the Pacers. So Barkley quickly backed out.
The timeout ended, and both teams returned to the court.
Jamal dribbled the ball across half court.
Andre Miller pressured Jamal, not letting him pass the ball inside.
The Pacers had 14 seconds left on the shot clock.
After several passes, the ball finally reached Little O'Neal under the basket.
Little O'Neal's shot still missed, despite Li Chen and Wang Zhizhi doing their best to double-team him.
But as the three players fought for the rebound, Little O'Neal tipped the ball out to Reggie Miller on the perimeter.
As soon as Miller caught the ball, Elton Brand and Corey Maggette double-teamed him.
Artest came over to set a screen.
Miller realized there wasn't much time left. Using Artest's screen, he decisively leaped into a contested three, shooting over Corey Maggette.
Corey Maggette was smart enough not to foul him this time.
The Pacers' shot clock hit zero, and at that same moment, the ball dropped through the hoop.
104–103. Reggie Miller had hit a near-buzzer-beater to put the Clippers away.
The Clippers had only three seconds left.
The arena erupted. Waves of cheers crashed over the Clippers like a tsunami, leaving every player feeling miserable.
Before you continue