The second half: closing the gap

"This has actually been the norm for the Thunder Team this season. In the first half, Chen Xi usually prioritizes getting his teammates involved, which is perfectly normal. We just hope he shows plenty of offensive desire in the second half, as he has in most games this season. After all, he finished the first half with only 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists. Those certainly aren't bad numbers, but in terms of scoring alone, that's very unlike Chen Xi."

The halftime break was neither particularly short nor particularly long. As the fans waited patiently, the second half finally got underway.

Once the players returned to the court, the broadcast cameras rather pointedly cut back and forth between Chen Xi's and James's faces twice.

Two of the league's top active superstars were facing off in the playoffs once again.

Their last playoff meeting had been back in the 2017 finals.

That had been the season the Thunder Team won their first championship, and James's final year with the Cavaliers...

Time had flown. This year's Thunder had already become a dynasty, while James, after leaving for the Lakers, had finally seen the team finish rebuilding and returned to the fray with a high-quality roster.

Fate had brought them together again in the first round. Would James ultimately defeat the Thunder, personally ending their title defense, bringing his history with the Thunder Team full circle and redeeming his 2017 self?

Or would Chen Xi overcome his team's wave of injuries to subdue the Lakers once again, firmly establishing his dominance at the very top of the new generation's food chain?

Whatever happened, winning Game 1 of the first round mattered enormously to both sides.

As the familiar whistle sounded again, the Thunder Team began their first possession of the second