Feverish Battle

"Damn it! This is really annoying!!!!" Chen Xi unhappily took Lovengill's pass and slowly walked to the frontcourt. Seeing James, who had actively switched to defend him, Chen Xi's eyes went dark.

"Shit, you really think I'm afraid of you!!"

Chen Xi started his offense. Facing James, he used continuous crossovers to find his rhythm. Seeing a gap as the opponent's left foot shifted slightly, he quickly broke through to the right. Before James could recover, he made a huge pull-back, then charged to the left again.

He had to minimize physical contact; that was Chen Xi's strategy. Once there was contact, his movements would likely be compromised, and that would be the end of it.

Chen Xi, who had only taken two steps to the left, didn't have time to think. He quickly executed a Sam Good, pulling the ball back again, followed by a step-back jumper.

Swish!!!

"Answer ball!!! Amazing!!!! Thunder Team's number three wonder kid, he hit LeBron back!!"

"Thank God, my hands feel great today." As Chen Xi retreated, he clasped his hands together and bowed slightly upwards, indulging in a bit of superstition.

The Cleveland fans thought Chen was performing some kind of Eastern celebration, and after he had just answered James directly, they immediately booed him.

Old LeBron didn't care about the loss of a single basket. He steadily walked to the frontcourt, knowing that the yellow-skinned kid couldn't hit shots like that often; it was too difficult and too draining. If Chen Xi dared to play like that every possession, LeBron would be happy.

He called out Chen Xi again, easily drove into the paint, and a spin layup effortlessly avoided the help defense from the center, scoring the basket.

The Quicken Loans Arena erupted in cheers again.

Chen Xi's expression was a bit grim. It wasn't that he was unhappy about being scored on consecutively, but rather that he had been hit in the chest and was having trouble breathing. These guys who relied on their physicality were just the worst!!!!!

Running back to the Cavaliers' half, he immediately signaled for the ball.

"Damn it, I'm going to score back!"

He dribbled, using consecutive frontcourt changes of direction. But this time, James didn't fall for the feints. He even took a provocative step forward, clearly daring Chen Xi to drive but not shoot.

He initiated with a crossover, driving hard to the left. After two steps, his left shoulder made slight contact with James's chest. With his mind prepared, he used the momentum to step out another large step to the left, faked a shot, making James, who was closely following, lose his balance. Then, with a spin and a couple of steps, he laid the ball in for two points.

While making the layup, he was also knocked to the ground by Channing Frye, who had come to help. Chen Xi got up and, as if venting his frustration, slapped the base of the basket support and roared at the fans behind the baseline.

The referee's whistle blew simultaneously.

"And one!!!!"

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After being pulled up by Roberson, Chen Xi looked at the fans by the sideline, raised his right hand, and showed off his bicep, once again drawing a torrent of boos.

Donovan didn't hesitate any longer. Taking advantage of the free throw opportunity, he subbed Westbrook back in. Although Chen Xi had played very well in these past few possessions, the exertion was too great, and they needed someone to share the pressure.

After taking a deep breath, Chen Xi easily made the free throw. He and Westbrook lightly high-fived and retreated to the backcourt together.

Chen Xi's scoring duel with LeBron was over. Next up was the fully rested and energetic peak "God Turtle"! Russell Westbrook!!

Seeing Westbrook score three consecutive baskets against Feld and then orchestrate the team to let Chen Xi and McDermott hit a three-pointer, Tyronn Lue hastily subbed Irving and Love back in, continuing to push the starters.

With only LeBron on the court, the point difference was about to be lost. The lineup had to be adjusted.

Donovan also took the opportunity to sub in Butler and Little Sabonis, replacing Lovengill and Roberson, while keeping Grant on the court. The current lineup was Westbrook, Chen Xi, Butler, Grant, and Sabonis, maximizing the team's spacing.

For the remainder of the second quarter, it was another back-and-forth offensive battle. Neither team could stop the opponent's key players, and they could only maintain the score difference through offense.

By the end of the second quarter, the score was maintained at 66 to 59.

"Giving up 66 points in the first half! Cleveland is in big trouble. If this continues in the second half, they'll likely be drifting further and further away from victory!!"

At the same time, on the other side of the ocean, in the Penguin Sports live broadcast room, the two commentators, having just finished announcing a certain brand's advertisement, began to evaluate the game.

"That's right, everyone. After watching the first half, the conclusion we can easily draw is what? It's that both teams are clearly targeting the opponent's weaknesses and relentlessly attacking them." a well-known commentator stated.

"The Thunder are relying on their perimeter game, ah, Westbrook's drives, attacking Irving's defense, forcing you to collapse. Then, at this point, Chen Xi on the perimeter, along with Grant and Butler, have shooting space. The Cavaliers are the same. They're relying on LeBron to directly attack your forward defense. Whoever comes, he eats them. Whether it's Butler, Roberson, or Grant, it doesn't matter, they can't defend him~~~"

"That's right. However, the reason the Thunder are leading currently is where? Coach Donovan's timing for substitutions is excellent. Look at the time Westbrook played, coinciding with Irving and Love being off the court, and he immediately extended the lead. This swing, back and forth, is a full 10 points, which is really killer." the other commentator's voice was very calm, pointing out the key moments of the game.

"Of course, we also have to praise our fellow countryman, Chen Xi. His performance at the beginning of the second quarter was crucial. Without him, LeBron would have widened the score long ago."

"Yes, a very exciting duel. Chen Xi's performance is definitely star-level, and he's incredibly tough. You, LeBron, call me out, and I'll hit you right back! His spirit is very strong. As we say, it's like the saying, 'a newborn calf fears no tiger'."

"But a 7-point lead is far from secure. If the situation remains the same in the second half, the game will likely stay close and come down to the wire. At that point, it will be a test of star players' abilities, and the Cavaliers have two super clutch superstars, which could be the deciding factor in the game's outcome."

"That's true, but the Thunder aren't lacking either. Look, Westbrook has a history of game-winners, and Chen Xi, just a few days ago, hit a game-winning three-pointer over Klay Thompson at the Oracle Arena, killing the Golden State Warriors. It's hard to say if he won't have another extraordinary performance in crunch time to seal the game."

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