dmims Chapter 36 Single-handedly Rescuing the Master
Chapter 36 Single-handedly Rescuing the Master
2009年1月2日，晚7:30。
Conseco Arena, Indianapolis.
Knicks vs. Pacers.
Opening ceremony.
There weren't many fans at Conseco Arena, but every single one of them was hostile.
Shouts of "Actor!" "Coward!" "Ticket scalper!" rose and fell.
The battle officially began as the referee tossed the ball into the air.
The Knicks team hadn't quite shaken off the party atmosphere yet.
"Bang!"
Chris Duhon dribbled the ball across half-court, but faced TJ Ford's high-pressure pressing, his reaction was noticeably slow. The ball in his hands was easily stolen, as if it had been coated in oil.
TJ Ford dashed forward like lightning and effortlessly slammed home a dunk.
The Knicks' interior defense was a disaster. Zach Randolph's footwork was heavy. Facing the Pacers' power forward Troy Murphy, he failed to close out three consecutive shots, watching helplessly as Murphy made three wide-open three-pointers.
"brush!"
"brush!"
35:18.
At the end of the first quarter, the Knicks were down by a full 17 points.
Li Xiangbei sat on the bench. He still had all six of his guaranteed shots in his hand. In the first quarter, he tried to lead his teammates with his passing and actual skill, but these drunkards were simply unmovable.
"Bang!"
Li Xiangbei kicked over the Gatorade bucket on the ground with a hard kick.
The whole team was startled and looked up at the man.
"Are you awake?"
Li Xiangbei's voice was full of pressure.
"If you're not awake, I'll wake you up now! Are you sleepwalking?! Look at the scoreboard! It's a disgrace!"
He looked around, but no one dared to meet his gaze.
"Give me that damn ball. The rest is none of your business."
……
The match restarted. Li Xiangbei didn't leave the court for a rest; he took over the game.
Since your teammates can't defend against it, then use offense to defeat the opponent.
Granger stuck it on tightly, but it didn't work.
Li Xiangbei received the ball at the top of the arc, faced the defense, and jumped directly.
[Guaranteed credit limit: 6/6 (activated)]
Forced facial ejaculation!
"brush!"
The three-pointer stopped the Knicks' losing streak.
Two minutes later, the Pacers double-teamed him. Li Xiangbei used his speed to force his way through, and under the double-team, he executed an extremely smooth folding layup in the air, dodging the block and sending the ball into the basket.
[Guaranteed credit limit: 5/6 (activated)]
2+1!
Thanks to Li Xiangbei's relentless scoring and off-ball movement, the Knicks narrowed the gap to just 8 points by halftime.
……
The Pacers didn't give up easily. Danny Granger displayed All-Star caliber talent, scoring 12 points in a single quarter in an attempt to widen the gap again.
Li Xiangbei had to respond. Every time Granger scored, Li Xiangbei had to immediately retaliate.
Granger hits a mid-range jumper.
Li Xiangbei immediately responded with a step-back three-pointer.
[Guaranteed winning amount: 4/6]
"brush!"
The final attack of the third quarter. Only 3 seconds left. Li Xiangbei had just crossed half-court when he was surrounded by two players.
There's no time left.
[Guaranteed winning amount: 3/6]
A buzzer-beating three-pointer from way beyond the arc!
"brush!!!"
At the end of the third quarter, the point difference was forcibly narrowed to 3 points.
Li Xiangbei braced himself on his knees, panting heavily. Although he had a body enhanced by the system, the mental tension left him feeling extremely exhausted.
Only two more chances to win the prize remain. And there are still 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
This is a gamble. Whether it lasts until the end depends entirely on fate.
……
The first section of the fourth paragraph.
The game became incredibly intense. Li Xiangbei, utilizing his superior stamina, began a frenzied off-ball movement, wreaking havoc on the Pacers' defense.
When facing a switch on defense from Pacers center Jeff Foster, Li Xiangbei did not hesitate at all.
[Guaranteed winning amount: 2/6]
He shot Foster in the face again.
The Knicks have taken a 1-point lead!
At this point, there were 8 minutes left in the game.
But Li Xiangbei only had one last chance to win.
This last bullet must be saved for the crucial moment. This means that for the next 6 minutes, he must rely on his true strength to fight hand-to-hand.
……
The final three minutes of the battle.
100:100 tie.
Every possession of the ball is crucial.
1 minutes 50 seconds.
Li Xiangbei had the ball. Granger stuck to him tightly, giving him no chance to breathe.
Li Xiangbei: "Should we use it one last time? No, if we use it now, what if we run out of bullets for a last-minute kill? We have to hold back."
He chose to believe in his true shooting ability.
A convincing fake creates a sliver of space, followed by a step-back jump shot.
It felt good to make that move.
"when!"
The force was a little too much, and the basketball hit the back edge of the rim and bounced high into the air!
Forging!
The Pacers' interior players are already positioned, ready to secure this crucial rebound. If they manage to grab it and launch a counterattack, the Knicks will be in danger.
Just then.
"roar!!"
A dark figure rushed into the restricted area.
It's Zach Randolph!
The fat man, who had been sleepwalking all night, gritted his teeth. He used his enormous buttocks to force his way past two people and, with all his might, grabbed the offensive rebound in mid-air!
Landing, then a strong comeback.
"Get in!!"
Randolph roared, put the ball in the basket despite the defense, and drew a foul in the process!
2+1!
Randolph landed and pounded his chest, roaring in anger.
Li Xiangbei breathed a sigh of relief as he looked at the fat man who had finally come back to life.
……
The last 10 seconds.
Both sides traded attacks and defenses. Granger then hit an extremely cold-blooded mid-range shot.
108:107.
The Pacers regained a one-point lead.
The Knicks have possession of the ball on the final possession.
There has been no pause.
Li Xiangbei receives the serve from the baseline and advances at full speed.
Danny Granger led the defense for the entire game.
5 seconds... 4 seconds...
Li Xiangbei dribbled the ball to the frontcourt. He glanced at the basket.
[Guaranteed winnings: 1/6 (last draw).]
He endured the bullet for a full eight minutes for this moment.
Li Xiangbei started moving, broke through to the right, and then suddenly stopped.
Granger didn't fall for the fake; his reaction was extremely fast. His long arms completely blocked the shooting angle, and his palms even covered Li Xiangbei's eyes.
This is the ultimate defense.
Li Xiangbei catches the ball and jumps.
To avoid being blocked, his body arched extremely backward in mid-air.
Time seemed to slow down.
The two locked eyes for a brief moment in mid-air. Granger's eyes were filled with confidence: "You can't get in!"
As Li Xiangbei looked at the large hand that was closing in, a slight smile appeared on his lips.
"You can take the victory with you, Danny..."
"But that's only if I'm not there."
[System locked: Guaranteed win.]
Shot.
The basketball flew past his fingertips.
"beep--!"
The red light is on.
"Whoosh!!!"
The decisive sound of the hammer hitting the net was like a heavy hammer blow, shattering the heart of the Indians.
110:108.
Lore!
Li Xiangbei scored a whopping 52 points, sealing the victory with that final shot.
……
After the game.
Li Xiangbei did not celebrate.
He sat down directly on the floor.
Randolph was the first to rush over, grabbing Li Xiangbei and pulling him up from the ground.
"Boss! Awesome!!" Randolph exclaimed.
Li Xiangbei leaned on Randolph's broad shoulders and smiled.
He whispered in Randolph's ear:
"Zack, next week's clubbing party... is canceled."
Randolph paused for a moment, then grinned and carried Li Xiangbei on his back.
"No problem, boss. As long as we win, I'll never go to a nightclub again!"
Watching his teammates escort him away, Reggie Miller in the commentary booth shook his head and sighed:
"That's what a leader is. When his teammates are struggling, he carries the team forward on his own; in desperate situations, he ends the suspense in the most ruthless way."
"Tonight, New York has found its true king."