As the game entered the fourth quarter, the situation on the court was no longer in doubt, and it completely turned into a one-sided affair.
108:74.
The huge point difference silenced the Orlando Magic's bench. On the court, the Celtics ' bench continued to run tirelessly, showcasing their talent to the fullest. In contrast, the Orlando Magic's players ran with heavy steps and their eyes were unfocused.
With four minutes remaining in the game, the giant funnel-shaped screen in the center of the New Garden suddenly flickered.
The next second, the Bee Gees' vintage disco tune filled the arena. The screen switched to a blurry old video.
A man wearing a tight T-shirt and sporting a thick beard is comically swaying his body in a 1970s-style dance floor, with the words "GINO" printed in large letters on his chest.
"Gino Time!!!"
The commentator shouted. Fans at the New Garden jumped to their feet, swaying and laughing along with the man on the big screen.
In Boston, this scene signifies only one thing: the game has entered true garbage time. The home fans are celebrating victory in their own uniquely relaxed way.
The loud disco music and laughter filling the arena were particularly jarring to Doc Rivers on the sidelines. In this premature party, the Orlando Magic had become nothing more than background noise.
Amidst the noisy atmosphere, Lin Qi, carrying a coffee, walked down from the top-floor VIP box. He followed the scorer's table to an empty seat just a few steps from the Orlando Magic and sat down.
This action caught the attention of Doc Rivers. The Orlando Magic's head coach was standing with his hands on his hips, looking at his listless team with a grim expression. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lin Qi sit down next to him. Doc Rivers hesitated for a moment, then moved over to the edge of the scorer's table.
Right under the noses of fans and cameras, Doc Rivers casually picked up a clipboard, pretending to look at the game, but actually holding it up to his mouth to block the camera's view. Seeing this, Lin Qi smiled slightly and, quite tacitly, picked up a game statistics sheet beside him, also half-covering his lips.
" Lin Qi, did you have to come down here at this time to see me make a fool of myself?" Doc Rivers, his voice betraying his bitterness and exhaustion, using the tactical board as cover.
"Don't get me wrong, Doc." Lin Qi glanced at the stat sheet in his hand, his tone as casual as if he were discussing what to have for dinner. "I was just a little curious. I glanced at your roster... Ron Mercer, Bo Outlaw, Ervin Johnson. Doc, why do you keep targeting the old players I traded away?"
Upon hearing this merciless taunt, Doc Rivers ' eyes twitched violently twice.
"Get lost, Lin Qi." Doc Rivers tilted his head towards Lin Qi, his tactical board covering his face even more. "Who told you to have such a sharp eye for people, you bastard?"
Doc Rivers sighed, his tone filled with resentment towards his management. "Last summer, our general manager confidently assured me that we had cleared half the team's salary cap and could definitely bring in Tim Duncan, Tracy McGrady, or Grant Hill. We were going to build a super Big Three!"
"And the result?" Doc Rivers ' breathing quickened. " Tim Duncan stayed in San Antonio, McGrady went to Phoenix, and you stole Grant Hill! Our 'grand plan' has become a laughing stock in the entire league! To fill that damn roster, I had to pick up the players you traded away. This is not a playoff-caliber roster at all!"
Lin Qi didn't say anything, but just listened quietly as Doc Rivers poured out his grievances.
Doc Rivers may like to give motivational speeches, but he's not stupid; he knows very well what a mess the Orlando Magic are in right now.
"If we keep playing like this, you'll sweep us out of the playoffs. And once the season is over..." Doc Rivers ' eyes dimmed. " The Orlando management, to give the fans an explanation, will definitely find someone to take the blame. I bet I can't stay with the Orlando Magic anymore. They'll fire me."
On the court, Celtics ' Michael Redd once again sank a devastating three-pointer. The crowd erupted in cheers, but the clamor made Doc Rivers feel incredibly lonely.
Just as Doc Rivers was about to put down his tactical board and slink back to the bench, Lin Qi's voice came slowly from behind the data sheet.
"Don't be so pessimistic, Doc."
Doc Rivers paused for a moment, then turned to look at Lin Qi.
Lin Qi remained focused on the court, his gaze deep, but a faint smile played at the corners of his mouth, though his expression was partially hidden.
"You're a head coach who can mold a team together. What you lack now is just a little talent and a few players who truly fit your system."
Lin Qi lowered the data sheet slightly and, in a voice only the two of them could hear, threw out the bait.
Give me a call in the summer.
Doc Rivers ' heart skipped a beat, and his fingers tightened instantly around the tactical board.
"What are you trying to do?" Doc Rivers lowered his voice, a hint of disbelief in his tone. The Boston commissioner was actually extending an olive branch to the opposing head coach during the playoffs?
Lin Qi turned his head and met Doc Rivers ' eyes through the thin piece of paper.
Give me a call. I can help you keep your position.
"Beep--!!"
The red light indicating the end of the match came on.
115-82, the Celtics win another game.
Lin Qi put down the data statistics sheet in his hand, stood up, and like a gentleman who had just finished consoling his opponent, reached out and patted Doc Rivers on the shoulder, who was completely stunned.
"Get ready for the next game, Doc. Hopefully, you guys can play even better in Orlando."
After saying that, Lin Qi walked towards the players' tunnel without looking back, leaving Doc Rivers standing alone amidst the deafening cheers.
Doc Rivers watched Lin Qi's disappearing figure, then glanced down at the tactical board in his hand. Although he had suffered another humiliating defeat tonight, for some reason, the fear of losing his job had been replaced by a strange anticipation.
"That horrible devil..." Doc Rivers muttered to himself.