In this game, the Phoenix Suns' head coach used a crossover play to break the Clippers' 2-3 Zone Defense.
Joe Johnson drove hard toward the basket from the 45-degree angle at the top of the key.
Li Chen and Corey Maggette double-teamed Johnson.
Joe Johnson faked a drive and passed the ball to Marbury.
Marbury drove hard past Andre Miller and Elton Brand, then scored.
Marbury's shot was falling today.
The Clippers went on offense.
This game, the Suns had learned their lesson and used double-teams to deal with Li Chen.
After Li Chen received Andre Miller's pass, Joe Smith and Outlaw trapped him.
Andre Miller and Li Chen ran a pick-and-roll.
With Joe Johnson screened off, Li Chen used a Euro step to lay the ball in before Stoudemire could help on defense.
The score was tied at 2–2.
Marbury drove hard toward the basket with the ball, but when he saw no opening, he passed it back to Joe Smith beyond the three-point line.
Joe Johnson, known for his clutch shooting, caught the ball and immediately rose to shoot without hesitation.
At the same time, Li Chen stepped forward to pressure him.
Still intimidated by Li Chen, Joe Johnson missed the three-pointer. The ball bounced off the rim.
Stoudemire grabbed the rebound. Before he could shoot, Wang Zhizhi and Elton Brand blocked off his shooting angles, leaving him no chance to turn.
Marion raised his hand for the ball.
Stoudemire bumped Wang Zhizhi, opening a narrow passing lane, and sent the ball to Marion.
Just then, a figure suddenly appeared and intercepted Stoudemire's pass.
It was none other than Li Chen, number 16 for the Clippers.
Andre Miller rushed toward the ball. After scooping it up, he hugged it to his chest, not letting
Outlaw stopped trying to steal it and could only retreat on defense.
Andre Miller then passed the ball to Li Chen.
Li Chen had barely crossed into the frontcourt when he was double-teamed, and Corey Maggette came over to help.
Li Chen handed him the ball and quickly cut inside.
Marion chased after Li Chen, but Li Chen was too fast, and Marion couldn't catch up.
Corey Maggette decisively lobbed the ball to Li Chen as he cut inside.
As Li Chen reached the ball, two Suns players closed in on him. He didn't force a shot.
[Eagle Eye] gave him incredible court vision, letting him see where all his teammates were.
Li Chen immediately passed the ball to the open Wang Zhizhi.
Wang Zhizhi took a jump shot, but Joe Johnson's closeout pressure disrupted him, and he missed.
Just then, Li Chen's B-rank skill [Rebounding Monster] activated. Despite being outnumbered three to one, he managed to grab the rebound.
Before Stoudemire and two other Suns players could surround him, Li Chen scored with a soft floater.
The Clippers led 4–2 for the moment.
The teams switched ends.
After a series of passes, the Suns successfully tore through the Clippers' zone defense. Joe Johnson lobbed the ball to Stoudemire, who was open beneath the basket.
But just then, Li Chen suddenly sprang into the air from the side and knocked the ball out of bounds before Stoudemire could reach it.
In the Suns' bench area, coach Frank Johnson frowned deeply.
That Eastern Kid again. In just a few short possessions, he had disrupted the Suns' offense twice. It gave Frank an uneasy feeling.
He was also puzzled. Why was this Eastern Kid always able to read the Suns' intentions with such perfect accuracy?
Frank Johnson couldn't help feeling that the kid seemed to have a god's-eye view, looking down over the entire court.
At the thought, he shook his head with an amused smile. Impossible. How could anyone have such a broad view? Absolutely impossible.
Meanwhile, assistant coach D'Antoni's eyes glowed with fervor.
If he could get this Eastern Kid, he could stake his reputation on leading the Suns to a championship.
At the thought, the fervor in his eyes gave way to dejection. For now, he was only an assistant coach on this team.
The Suns missed their shot.
Li Chen secured the rebound.
After dribbling into the frontcourt, he scored a three-pointer off a screen from Elton Brand.
The score became 7–2, and the Clippers extended their lead.
Then, when the first quarter ended, the Clippers led the Suns 21–10, by a whopping 11 points.
The Suns' bench fell silent.
Before the game, they had been brimming with confidence, eager to get revenge.
But reality had just dealt them a heavy, resounding slap in the face.
"Coach Frank Johnson, how about we focus our offense on the perimeter in the second quarter?"
Assistant coach D'Antoni suddenly offered.
Frank Johnson turned to look at D'Antoni, thought it over, then said, "If we can't get rebounds, it'll be hard for us to come back."
"Coach, that Eastern Kid has incredible court vision and defensive awareness. If we don't move the ball around a lot, we won't have any chance at all!"
"Well..." Frank Johnson had to admit D'Antoni was right. Li Chen had been playing incredibly well today, and Frank couldn't help envying Alvin Gentry's good fortune.
After a moment's thought, Frank Johnson nodded. He had no choice but to accept D'Antoni's suggestion. They might as well try anything at this point; he really had no way to stop that Eastern Kid.
Meanwhile, across the court, Alvin Gentry was delighted in the Clippers' bench area.
He was more and more impressed with Li Chen.
Alvin Gentry had come up under Larry Brown, and he had never been willing to concede to Popovich.
He always thought that if he had a player like Duncan, he could make it to the Finals and maybe even win an NBA championship.
Now his chance had arrived. Li Chen gave him hope.
He could see Li Chen's potential. Passing vision, offense, defense, rebounding, help defense—Li Chen was impressive in every aspect.
Li Chen was a complete centerpiece! Gentry could see it happening: in five years—no, three—just three years, he could turn Li Chen into an all-around shooting guard.
At the thought, he couldn't help laughing.
The Clippers' players were baffled by the sight.
Coach, you're supposed to be drawing up our second-quarter plays. What are you sitting there grinning like an idiot for?
Time flew by.
The second-quarter whistle sounded.
The Clippers began a seven-man rotation.
Alvin Gentry took Wang Zhizhi and Corey Maggette out, bringing in Michael Olowokandi and Odom.
Andre Miller passed the ball to Elton Brand, who was cutting inside.
The Suns reacted quickly and shut down Elton Brand's route to the basket.
Elton Brand faked a shot, then passed to Li Chen, who was set up at the 45-degree angle beyond the three-point line.
Wide open, Li Chen leaped high and scored.
The score was 24–10, and the Clippers extended their lead again.
The Suns went on offense.
They kept moving the ball around the perimeter.
Li Chen looked a little stunned as he watched.
Alvin Gentry was also caught off guard. He hadn't expected Frank Johnson to use this approach to counter Li Chen.
But he smirked. I refuse to believe your shooters can keep hitting their shots.
He was about to signal his players to collapse on defense, control the rebounds, and deny the Suns second-chance opportunities.
But to Alvin Gentry's dismay, Li Chen seemed to be reading his mind. He had already sent Michael Olowokandi and two others to collapse toward the basket.
Alvin Gentry froze for a moment, the corner of his mouth twitching. He cursed inwardly, You little brat, you've already done everything. What am I supposed to do?
He was cursing inside, but he couldn't hide the pleased, relieved smile on his face.
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