Yao Ming Treats

After the timeout in the second quarter, the Rockets brought Yao Ming and Cuttino Mobley back into the game.

Alvin Gentry's two centers were there specifically to counter Yao Ming.

Rockets on offense.

Francis circled around for a while but couldn't find a good opportunity, so he could only lob the ball to Yao Ming in the paint.

As expected, the Clippers' defense forced the Rockets to target Yao Ming, and then Michael Olowokandi and Wang Zhizhi came into play.

Under double-team pressure, Yao Ming's hook shot missed, and Michael Olowokandi grabbed the rebound.

Michael Olowokandi quickly passed the ball to Li Chen after getting the rebound.

After receiving the pass, Li Chen sprinted towards the frontcourt like an arrow.

Meanwhile, Kalino Bremer had just come on the field and was full of energy, was close behind and not at a disadvantage, while the other players were also moving quickly.

Li Chen used a Euro step to get past Carlilo and Bremer and scored.

The Clippers extended their lead to 27-35.

Although the Rockets failed on their first possession after the timeout, they gradually found their offensive rhythm in the following minutes.

At halftime, they trailed by 11 points, 42-53.

Then, at the start of the third quarter, Andre Miller was substituted back into the game.

In the fifth minute, the Rockets' Cuttino Mobley erupted, narrowing the score to within 5 points.

However, under Li Chen's leadership, the Clippers withstood the Rockets' relentless attack and maintained their lead into the fourth quarter.

At the start of the fourth quarter, neither side made any substitutions.

Francis used Yao Ming's screen to drive to the basket and drew a foul from Michael Olowokandi.

Francis made both free throws.

The score is 67-70, with the Rockets trailing by three points.

Li Chen dribbled past defenders and made a brilliant pass to Andre Miller on the perimeter, who drained a three-pointer.

67 to 73.

Francis once again used Yao Ming's screen to break through and lay up, but was blocked by Li Chen, and the ball flew out of bounds.

The Rockets have possession of the ball.

A moment later, Taylor passed the ball to Francis.

Francis then faked a shot and passed to Cuttino Mobley, whose jump shot was blocked by Li Chen.

Yao Ming grabbed the rebound and then drew a foul from Wang Zhizhi.

Yao Ming made one of two free throws.

68 to 73.

Li Chen dribbled the ball up the court, where Michael Olowokandi set a screen.

Li Chen suddenly accelerated, but the Rockets were already familiar with the Clippers' tactics and immediately double-teamed Li Chen.

Li Chen passed the ball to Odom was there to receive it.

Odom then missed a jump shot.

Wang Zhizhi and Yao Ming jumped up at the same time under the basket, but neither of them caught the ball. Then they both jumped up again.

Yao Ming passed the ball to Glen Rice, but Li Chen, with quick hands and eyes, stole it.

The Clippers then launched a fast break, and Li Chen and Corey Maggette executed a one-two pass, with Corey Maggette scoring the basket.

68 to 75.

The Rockets' rest area.

Coach Tom Shuai frowned. This Li Chen was too active; he was the one who disrupted the Rockets' offensive rhythm every time.

He displayed extraordinary control on the basketball court, a quality that even Coach Tom couldn't help but admire.

This kid is not just an outstanding player, he's more like a tactical genius.

He is able to accurately assess the situation of the game and make quick decisions accordingly.

His excellent vision allows him to quickly identify the best attacking opportunities.

He always delivers accurate passes to his teammates, like a spider web binding the Clippers players together, making the team's coordination even better.

Moreover, the Clippers has great faith in this Eastern Kid; undoubtedly, he is a natural-born core leader. His outstanding performance is undoubtedly the most important factor in the Clippers' success this season.

Thinking of this, Coach Tom became envious again.

While his thoughts were wandering, Coach Tom focused on how to suppress Li Chen, the Clippers' central brain.

He knew that if the Clippers could eliminate Li Chen, the entire Clippers would fall apart.

However, a very important problem arises because the Rockets simply do not have a superstar like Kobe of the Lakers, who excels on both offense and defense.

Without the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year, it's too difficult to suppress Li Chen. Three-man squads might work, but that's clearly not enough.

Even if Li Chen were killed, it would still be a two-on-four situation for the Rockets, which would be an easy point for them.

Coach Tom was stunned to find that he couldn't do anything about this Eastern Kid.

Meanwhile, in domestic live streaming rooms.

Zhang Weiping also exclaimed, "Chen's ability is simply amazing. His control on the court is perfect. With him, I can foresee that we can even compete with the USA Team at the Olympics."

Sun Zhengping was somewhat helpless. He also hoped that his country's basketball would have a bright future, but this kind of mindless praise was not good.

When the fourth quarter ended, the Rockets had lost the game 100-113.

Rockets' Steve Francis had 25 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block, shooting 3-for-8 from three-point range and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line.

(Old Cat) Cuttino Mobley had 23 points, 4 assists, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 blocks, and 8 of 3 three-pointers.

Yao Ming had 18 points, 2 assists, 13 rebounds, 1 steal, 5 blocks, and made 1 of 2 free throws.

On the Clippers' side...

Corey Maggette had 22 points, 1 assist, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block, shooting 1-for-3 from three-point range and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line.

Andre Miller had 20 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block, shooting 1-for-3 from three-point range and 2-for-5 from the free-throw line.

Odom 17 points, 3 assists, 10 rebounds, 1 steal, 3 blocks, and 2 field goals and 2 free throws.

Wang Zhizhi 12 points, 3 assists, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, and 2 field goals and 2 free throws.

Li Chen scored 30 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds, 4 steals, and 5 blocks, shooting 3-for-4 from three-point range and 9-for-10 from the free-throw line.

This is Li Chen's first triple-double.

Unsurprisingly, he was named MVP again, securing the title of "Slam Dunk King".

After attending the post-game press conference, Yao Ming called and strongly urged Li Chen and Wang Zhizhi to go out for a chat.

A short while later, the two, led by Yao Ming, arrived at a restaurant and sat down.

"Sorry, all the Chinese restaurants here are closed," Yao Ming apologized.

"It's alright, as long as Li Chen has something to eat, haha!" Wang Zhizhi joked with a smile.

Li Chen smiled and nodded, saying, "Brother Zhizhi, you're right. As long as I have something to eat, that's fine."

Just then, Li Chen's phone rang. Li Chen was somewhat surprised when he saw the caller ID.

"Who's making phone calls so late?" Yao Ming asked in surprise.

"Who else could it be? His little girlfriend was..." Wang Zhizhi teased again.

Li Chen rolled his eyes. "What girlfriend? It's a phone number from China."

The two men clearly didn't believe him. Li Chen, somewhat helpless, handed the phone to them and said resignedly, "Look."

The two peeked out and sure enough, it was a phone number starting with 13...

"Here's my home phone number. I'll be right back. And order me two steaks," Li Chen explained, then looked like he was going to eat Yao Ming out of house and home.

This made Yao Ming and his companion burst into laughter.