"Let me say something!"
Coach Rivers clapped his hands, silencing the locker room.
Everyone straightened up at once. Even Grayson Allen withdrew his wandering stare and sat down properly.
In the first half, the Clippers relied on Kai's scoring explosion late in the second quarter to edge the Celtics 68:64, holding a four-point lead.
Their goal now was simple: protect the lead and stretch it, avoiding any collapse.
Boston's danger wasn't just defense—it was their ability to score in waves.
Give them an opening, and they could flip a game in minutes.
Even with the lead, the Clippers stayed cautious.
The second half began.
Boston abandoned the isolation-heavy approach and leaned into pick-and-rolls and cutting actions.
With Lopez's slow feet, Kyrie Irving and Al Horford spammed high screens, while Gordon Hayward and Jaylen Brown slashed relentlessly with off the ball movement.
Even prepared, the Clippers were still rotated apart, giving up clean looks.
Soon in just three minutes, Boston went on a 12–4 run, erasing the deficit and jumping ahead by four.
Doc Rivers called a timeout, with his face grim, and reset the plan.
When they returned to the court, the Clippers shifted their offense inside, feeding Lopez and Jeff Green with more touches.
Jeff Green had a good feel for playing against Gordon Hayward; after all, Gordon Hayward was significantly shorter than him. He would dribble around, create offensive space, and then take a fadeaway jump shot.
"Clang!"
The basketball hit the front rim and missed.
Fortunately, Lopez finally stepped up this time. Using his size advantage, he grabbed the offensive rebound in front of Horford and completed a put-back layup.
74-76.
Lopez's score helped the Clippers narrow the deficit to two points.
Offense and defense switched, and the Boston Celtics attacked.
Kyrie Irving continued to initiate a high pick-and-roll with Horford.
"Bang!"
After the pick-and-roll, Kyrie Irving made a bounce pass to a rolling Horford, who took three steps after receiving the ball. After drawing the Clippers' defensive attention, he dished the ball to Gordon Hayward in the left corner.
"Swish!"
Gordon Hayward's wide-open three-pointer went in!
On the return, Carmelo scored on Jaylen Brown.
Immediately after, both sides entered a grinding defensive battle, constantly expending energy.
As the defensive intensity increased, it greatly affected the players' shooting touch, and both teams entered a period of missed shots.
It wasn't until the third quarter was about to enter rotation that Kai Chen, once again, used the double screens from Jeff Green and Lopez, curled out, received a pass from Beverley, and shot a three-pointer!
"Swish!"
This made shot helped the Clippers tie the score!
In the final quarter's decisive battle, Kyrie Irving, who had only scored 14 points in the first three quarters, began to take over the game.
He constantly attacked the paint, hit pull-up jump shots, and long-range three-pointers... After a series of dazzling scores, he once again extended the lead to 8 points.
On the Clippers' side, both Lou Williams and Harrell went cold, making consecutive turnovers on offense.
In desperation, Coach Rivers had no choice but to put Kai Chen back on the court.
Back on the court, Kai naturally refused to be a supporting character. He also took control of the Clippers' offensive end, declaring war on Kyrie Irving.
First, he sent a challenge to Kyrie Irving with a long-range three-pointer.
Then, on the defensive end, he interfered with Kyrie Irving's layup, grabbed the rebound, and sprinted down the court for a one-man fast break and a powerful dunk.
In the next possession, he drove into the paint, endured the pulling from Al Horford and Marcus Smart, put the ball into the basket, and earned an opportunity for an additional free throw.
After calmly sinking the free throw, in a defensive counterattack, he once again hit a super-long three-pointer.
After scoring 11 consecutive points, the score between the two teams returned to a tie.
"Everyone, take a good look at what a true superstar is!"
In the live broadcast room, Charles Barkley was already ecstatic: "If you want to know how the term 'lone hero' is embodied, then Kai Chen in this game is the best declaration of that term!"
With three minutes left until the end of the game, 104-104, both teams entered the final decisive moment!
Just Three minutes on an NBA court can determine the outcome of the entire game.
Coach Stevens of the Celtics did not want to lose at home and had no choice but to call a timeout.
"Let me say something!"
Coach Stevens said sternly, holding his tactical board: "Guys, its the last three minutes, do what you're supposed to do!"
"On defense, Horford and Hayward, you need to be careful about double-teaming Kai Chen. Don't let him get easy scoring opportunities.
As soon as Coach spoke, he called for a double-team on Kai Chen. Although Jayson Tatum was reluctant, for the team's victory, he could only agree.
In fact, not only did Coach arrange this, but on the Clippers' side, Coach Rivers also demanded that his players double-team Kyrie Irving.
Back on the court, Kai enduring a chorus of boos, drove hard against Jayson Tatum from the top of the arc, and quickly released the shot before Horford's help defense arrived.
"Swish!"
The basketball, like a sharp blade unsheathed in the air, delivered a fatal blow!
106-104!
The Clippers took the lead on the road!
On the return, Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward initiated a high pick-and-roll.
After the pick-and-roll, Kai double-teamed Kyrie Irving from the wing, forcing Kyrie Irving to pass the ball.
Reluctantly, Kyrie Irving passed the ball to Jaylen Brown.
Unexpectedly, Carmelo, who had been quiet for the entire game, made a timely prediction and intercepted the ball, then quickly launched a fast break, assisting Kai in scoring!
108-104!
The Los Angeles Clippers extended their lead to four points, with only two minutes remaining until the end of the game!
The Clippers had the advantage!
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