Today, Flight Was Prohibited at the Space Center

But just as Wilkens was about to keep watching, something unexpected happened.

Andre Miller stole the ball from Williams and passed it to Elton Brand, who was racing downcourt.

As Elton Brand turned to catch the ball, he saw Carter only a step behind him. He also spotted Li Chen closing in, but continued sprinting toward the basket without showing any reaction.

When he reached the basket, Brand leaped high into the air.

Carter leaped just as high.

Elton Brand's floater smacked off the backboard.

The ridiculous shot left Carter stunned.

Just then, a figure soared into the air, grabbed the ball with both hands, and slammed it into the basket like a falling meteor.

Another dunk by Li Chen.

The score was 0–6, and the Clippers extended their lead.

Li Chen's move once again drew boos from the fans in the Space Center arena.

They were furious. This was the Space Center arena, after all—the place where the UFO took off.

But now Li Chen kept taking off again and again. There was no way that could sit well with them.

So the Raptors fans chanted in unison, "Carter! Carter! Carter! Carter!"

The fans' cries also made Coach Wilkens realize he had to do something. Without hesitation, he called the first timeout of the game, interrupting the Clippers' offensive rhythm and giving himself a chance to draw up a play.

In the TNT broadcast room,

Barkley burst out laughing. "Chen's gone dunk-crazy today. He's already thrown down two. He's stealing the show and crashing their party! Hahaha!"

Kenny Smith nodded. "Next, Coach Wilkens should draw up a play for Carter to appease the frustrated fans."

Barkley nodded in agreement.

Kenny Smith continued, "The Clippers are leaning toward a team-oriented style of play. Alvin Gentry and Popovich are both disciples of Larry Brown. I wonder what the result will be when they face off."

Kenny Smith had just brought up a matchup that had everyone looking forward to the game.

The timeout ended, and play resumed.

Williams brought the ball upcourt for the Raptors.

Andre Miller closed in on him again.

The steal just moments earlier had made Williams more cautious.

He passed to Jerome, who tried to drive past Elton Brand, but couldn't get by him.

Carter raised his hand for the ball. After receiving it, he forced his way past Li Chen.

But Li Chen stayed composed and never gave up his position.

The two battled near the baseline, but Carter couldn't get past him. He passed back to Morris, who was open.

Morris's open jump shot missed.

Antonio Davis grabbed the rebound.

Carter used Jerome's screen to shake Li Chen near the free-throw line.

After catching the ball, Carter faked out Elton Brand, clutched the ball in both hands, and took off. Like an eagle spreading its wings, he swooped toward the basket.

Li Chen, who had retreated near the basket, leaped into the air as well.

The instant they met in midair, fierce determination blazed in both their eyes.

Carter's body tensed like a bow drawn to its limit. He put every ounce of strength into his body and gripped the ball tightly, trying to dunk over Li Chen.

Li Chen gave everything he had to block Carter's shot.

In a split second, Li Chen came out on top.

The Space Center arena fell silent. The fans were dumbfounded. Carter had been blocked—it was almost impossible to believe.

Then a deafening wave of boos shook the arena.

Carter landed awkwardly and stumbled back. Once he regained his balance, he stared at Li Chen's expressionless face in disbelief. He couldn't believe he'd been blocked.

But the ball hadn't gone out of bounds. Williams happened to pick it up near the baseline.

He adjusted his shooting form, glanced at Andre Miller closing in to defend him, and shot without hesitation.

Williams took the shot decisively, and he had the aim, too. The ball struck the rim and bounced high into the air.

A scramble broke out under the basket, and Antonio Davis finally secured the rebound.

But Wang Zhizhi and Elton Brand immediately trapped him.

Antonio Davis knew he had no chance, so he passed the ball to Morris without hesitation.

Morris drove hard past Corey Maggetti, took two long strides, and leaped high into the air. He was taking off again.

Then another figure rose up to stop the Raptors' attack.

In the TNT broadcast room,

"Oh, my God! Chen's been incredible today!" Barkley exclaimed.

Then Barkley struck a solemn pose, swept his gaze around, and declared like a mighty general, "Today, at the Space Center arena, flight is prohibited!"

Barkley's joke made Kenny Smith and the Clippers fans watching the broadcast burst out laughing.

"Damn, Chen, did you take something today? You're on fire! You know you've blocked three dunks already, right?"

"Yeah, Chen, you're unbelievable!"

Li Chen's teammates crowded around him, all talking at once.

In the Clippers' bench area, towels were flying as the players howled like wolves.

The Raptors prepared to inbound the ball.

Williams received Antonio Davis's pass and put it in.

The Raptors had scored on that possession, but the repeated blocks had utterly crushed their momentum.

Over the next stretch of play, the Raptors made one turnover after another, looking as if they were about to fall apart.

Seeing this, Coach Wilkens quickly called a timeout.

The timeout kept the Raptors from collapsing in the first quarter, but the Clippers had clearly disrupted their offensive rhythm.

At the end of the first quarter, the Raptors trailed the Clippers 15–26.

After the second quarter began, the Raptors gradually found their rhythm, and their offense started to improve.

At halftime, they trailed 45–56. The Raptors and Clippers had gone toe-to-toe in the second quarter, matching each other evenly without losing ground.

That gave them hope of tying the game.

But shortly after the third quarter began, Li Chen's block and the Clippers' offense silenced them again.

Coach Wilkens had no choice but to call another timeout and adjust the game plan.

In the TNT broadcast room,

"Damn, pardon my language, but Carter's been blocked again! I can't believe it! Charles, I have to admit, you've got an incredible knack for calling things."

As he spoke, Kenny Smith gave Barkley a thumbs-up.

Barkley looked just as shocked. He had no idea why his words had been so spot-on today—he'd actually predicted it.

But inside, he grumbled, wondering why this strange ability hadn't shown up sooner. If it had, he wouldn't have had to kiss a donkey's butt.

Coming back to himself, Barkley burst out laughing. "Chen's here to play dodgeball at the Space Center today!"

Barkley's teasing made Kenny Smith laugh too.

Carter was also frustrated after being blocked repeatedly. He figured either that Eastern Kid had taken something, or he was just incredibly unlucky.

If Li Chen knew what Carter was thinking, he'd have wholeheartedly agreed and nodded. That's right. You're really unlucky.