Does this count as a buzzer-beater?

Alvin Gentry immediately called a timeout to set up their final play.

However, seeing the dejected look on the players' faces, he felt a flicker of dissatisfaction. Before he could scold them, however, Li Chen, noticing his teammates' low spirits, began to encourage them. "Don't be so down in the dumps," he said. "This is just a regular season game, and besides..."

He pointed to the game clock's countdown. "There are still three seconds left! Lady Luck hasn't abandoned us yet."

Alvin Gentry nodded with satisfaction. He liked Li Chen's never-say-die attitude.

At this point, before any other player could react, Odom chimed in with a discouraging remark. "Hmph! Easier said than done. We don't even have a single All-Star Player on our team. Who's going to make the game-winning shot? You? Relying on your so-called luck? Or your Open Three-Pointer? Wake up! The Pacers won't give you a chance to shoot an Open Three-Pointer."

Odom's words offended everyone in the room, and he immediately regretted them.

As the saying goes, what's said cannot be unsaid.

Odom could only swallow his bitter regret.

He tried to console himself, thinking that he would be leaving next season anyway.

Indeed, all the players were angered by Odom's words, and even Coach Alvin Gentry's old face turned dark.

Li Chen walked up to the sarcastic Odom.

"What? You want to fight?" Odom sneered dismissively.

Li Chen smiled, not taking the bait. Instead, he asked, "How about we make a bet?"

Odom was momentarily stunned, then instinctively asked, "Bet on what?"

"Whoever loses has to treat the whole team to a night out at the club. Do you dare?"

Li Chen's words made Coach Alvin Gentry's face darken. Damn brat, talking about going to a club right in front of me. You're too audacious.

Although Alvin Gentry was displeased, he understood that Li Chen was using this method to channel the team's anger towards Odom into strength.

With that thought, he held back the scolding words he was about to utter.

Meanwhile, seeing that Coach Alvin Gentry wasn't stopping him, Odom nodded. "Fine."

Seeing that the players' dejected expressions had vanished, Alvin Gentry secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, Alvin Gentry stated matter-of-factly, "Give the ball to Chen."

Li Chen nodded.

Although he had no confidence at all, he couldn't back down now.

The referee's whistle blew; the timeout was over.

Meanwhile, in the TNT broadcast booth.

Barkley spoke passionately, "Let's see if the Eastern Kid, Li Chen, can create another miracle and snatch victory from the Pacers."

This made the Clippers fans watching the broadcast very excited.

Miracles were always so captivating, so anticipated.

The game resumed with a whistle, and the Clippers inbounded the ball from the frontcourt.

However, the Pacers had clearly devised a tight defensive strategy, giving the Clippers no chance to pass.

Andre Miller, holding the ball with both hands, tried to pass a few times but ultimately took no action.

Artest was sticking to Li Chen like glue on the court, wishing he could hang on him.

Li Chen, near the free-throw line, felt a bit helpless. This guy is too clingy. Is it really okay for a grown man to be this clingy? Li Chen grumbled inwardly.

Just then, a flash of inspiration struck him – the technique for boxing out for a rebound.

Immediately, his feet moved, and he screened Artest behind him.

At that moment, Andre Miller, who had been watching Li Chen's position, quickly passed the ball.

As he received the ball, Li Chen leaned his back against Artest's body, used the momentum to turn, and drove past Artest.

He completed this series of moves in just 1.2 seconds, leaving 1.8 seconds, which was enough time for a short floater.

Meanwhile, Artest, who had been beaten, gritted his teeth. Fuck, I still got beaten.

But a shot is impossible, Artest thought.

So, Artest, with lightning speed, grabbed Li Chen.

Li Chen was caught off guard by this, and they both tumbled to the ground.

A moment later, the referee's whistle sounded appropriately.

Li Chen's face darkened, and he yelled, "You bastard, let go! Damn it, are you having an issue with your sexual orientation?"

After cursing, he forcefully broke free from Artest's embrace.

There was no other way; Artest knew better than anyone how accurate Li Chen's floater was.

Therefore, this foul was absolutely necessary.

The game clock stopped at 0.2 seconds.

Artest was also fouled out and left the game.

Odom was stunned by this scene. Was Artest a pig? How could he commit a foul?

Immediately, he looked at the court, hoping Li Chen wouldn't make the free throws.

At the same time, Li Chen stepped up to the free-throw line.

Li Chen stood at the free-throw line, wiping the sweat from his face with his jersey, then his palms.

Taking the ball from the referee, he let out a long breath and steadily shot the basketball.

The score became 104-104.

His teammates came over to high-five Li Chen, signaling him to relax and not put pressure on himself.

At this moment, Elton Brand comforted him, "Chen, it's okay if you miss the free throws. We've tied the game, and we'll definitely beat the Pacers in overtime."

Li Chen curled his lips and retorted sarcastically, "Do you think I'm like you?"

Elton Brand felt ten thousand points of damage.

Just then, Li Chen steadily made the second free throw.

At the same time, the Pacers also gave up the game, as 0.2 seconds was simply not enough time to get a shot off.

104-105, the Clippers narrowly defeated the Pacers by one point.

Barkley also let out a long sigh of relief. Fortunately, he hadn't made a bet, or he would have lost again.

In this game, the Pacers' Little O'Neal played 40 minutes, with 25 points, 1 assist, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

Reggie Miller played 35 minutes, with 18 points, 2 rebounds, 10 assists, and 1 steal.

Artest, who was solely responsible for guarding Li Chen, had 7 points and 3 rebounds.

For the Clippers, Elton Brand and others all scored in double digits.

It is worth mentioning that Wang Zhizhi, who came off the bench, received praise from Coach Alvin Gentry.

Li Chen played 48 minutes in this game, scoring 32 points, 10 assists, 1 steal, 15 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

Among them, he made 3 three-pointers for 9 points, scored 9 points from free throws, and made 7 of 16 two-point shots, with a shooting percentage above 50%.

"Congratulations to Chen for getting a triple-double and being the best player of the game."

"Li Chen's rebounds were a bit low in this game!" Kenny Smith joked with a smile.

"15 is not bad. I swear on my donkey's ass, that 56-rebound game was a coincidence."

Kenny Smith smiled, a wicked smile, "Charles, we remember. If Chen gets 56 rebounds again, don't forget your promise. Hahaha!"

Barkley wished he could slap himself right now. He had just spoken carelessly, but he had no chance to go back on his word now. So, with a grim determination, he glared and said, "That's right, I said it."

Kenny Smith nodded with a sly grin, then added, "By the way, here we want to congratulate our Eastern miracle boy, Li Chen. With an average of 29.7 points, 17 assists, 24 rebounds, and a 56.3% shooting percentage, he has become the Western Player of the Week for last week."