Li Chen kept a close eye on Pierce, who had scored 9 points by halftime.
The Clippers led the Celtics 65–47, a margin of 18 points.
Li Chen had made 10 of 20 shots for 25 points. He was 1-for-1 from three and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line, giving him an impressive field goal percentage of 56.52%.
Li Chen had been extremely efficient in the first half.
Alvin Gentry nodded, then said seriously, "Good. Don't rush the offense in the second half. Let's stay patient and play our game. This win is ours."
Then Alvin Gentry turned to Li Chen, his gaze softening. He looked as if he were holding a treasure in his hands, afraid it might melt away.
The Celtics' bench.
Head coach O'Brien looked at his dejected players and shouted, "Come on, get your heads in the game! We haven't lost yet."
At his words, the players all turned to look at O'Brien, their faces full of doubt.
As the team's leader, Pierce called out encouragingly, "That's right! The coach is right—we haven't lost. We're only down 18 points. That's just six three-pointers."
The others were speechless at Paul Pierce. Easy for him to say—just six three-pointers? Why didn't he go hit six of them and show them how it was done?
Just then, Coach O'Brien cleared his throat and said gravely, "In the second half, pick up the pace and take more shots from the perimeter."
Jim O'Brien was going all in.
He was out of options. If three players couldn't stop Li Chen, what else could he do? He couldn't send four players to guard one man.
After a moment, Jim O'Brien added, "Don't feel any pressure. We're going to lose this game anyway." He was playing a little mind game.
The Celtics players' expressions