On November 21st, the Clippers welcomed a familiar opponent at their home court, Staples Center.
The Orlando Magic challenged the Los Angeles Clippers on the road.
The matchup between these two teams was highly anticipated!
It was precisely because the Orlando Magic traded their No. 6 pick to the Clippers in this year's draft that the Clippers were able to select Kai Chen later on.
In other words, if not for the Orlando Magic, the Clippers might not have been able to draft Kai.
And in this trade, the Orlando Magic also acquired the core player they desired—Blake Griffin!
He had also clearly stated before the game that he was familiar with Staples Center.
Last season, while still playing for the Clippers, Griffin still averaged 22.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists!
Making his first "return home," Griffin naturally wouldn't hold back!
Although Griffin told the media in a pre-game interview that he was very familiar with this court and this team,
it was only when the Los Angeles Clippers' starting players stepped onto the court that he realized there was a problem with what he had said.
Aside from Beverley, the entire starting lineup of the Clippers had undergone a tremendous change!
"Your team is playing very well this season!"
Griffin chatted briefly with his old friend Beverley before the game.
"Yeah I know."
Beverley said very seriously, "Brother, we are currently first in the entire league!"
Let's look at the Clippers' new starting lineup this season.
Beverley needs no further introduction; his performance can only be described as rock-solid.
The outside trident: Beverley + Kai + Carmelo, is the reason for this Clippers' transformation this new season!
Especially the presence of Kai!
If Kai Chen were excluded, the Clippers' starting lineup might only be a bottom-tier team in the Western Conference.
But with Kai, this team is absolutely a top-tier team in the league, even an NBA Finals-level team!
A key core player can indeed bring a qualitative leap to a team!
Of course, Griffin might not understand the meaning behind this.
He only knew that he was once the hope for the rise of this Clippers team!!
"Beep!"
With a whistle from the Main Referee, both sides finished their warm-ups, and the starting players successively stepped onto the court!!
Orlando Magic starters: D.J. Augustin + Fournier + Terrence Ross + Gordon, and Griffin!
The Los Angeles Clippers' starters were as usual: Beverley + Carmelo + Jeff Green + Lopez, and Kai Chen!
Both centers stood at the mid-court line, and the Main Referee tossed the ball high into the air!
Griffin used his jumping advantage to beat Lopez and tip the ball to Augustin.
The Orlando Magic initiated the first offensive possession of the game!
Augustin slowly advanced with the ball past half-court, routinely passing the ball to Griffin, who was calling for it in the low post.
But in the next second!
A figure suddenly burst forth, directly intercepting Augustin's pass.
"It's Jeff Green! He stole Augustin's pass!"
"Augustin's pass was too casual!"
"Yes, if you don't respect the Clippers' defense, then you will inevitably pay a heavy price!"
Jeff Green controlled the ball and quickly pushed for a fast break.
The Orlando Magic's defense was slow to react, and they could only watch as Jeff Green slammed the ball hard onto the floor!
"Boom!"
The basketball hit the floor, bounced high, and flew up.
The next moment, Kai, who had cut in from the wing, leaped up, grabbed the ball with one hand, turned in the air, and dunked it backward!!!
2:0!
The Los Angeles Clippers, broke the game open first!
"Wow, Kai already starting us off with a miraculous dunk!"
"You have to admit, Kai really knows how to put on a show!"
On the court!!
Augustin continued to advance with the ball past half-court; this time, his pass didn't result in a turnover, but Griffin was forced into a travel by Jeff Green's defense.
Called for a travel by the referee, Griffin was a bit helpless.
Jeff Green's defense was simply too tight; facing his guarding, Griffin was truly caught off guard.
Change of possession, Clippers' ball.
Jeff Green inbounded the ball to Beverley, who brought it to the frontcourt.
After a series of tactical dribbles, Beverley accurately found Kai, who came out from a screen on the left side!
As soon as the basketball was in his hands, Kai didn't hesitate, catching the ball and immediately firing a cold three-point arrow that pierced the net!
5:0!
The Clippers' lead was continuously expanding!
"Focus up!!"
The continuous turnovers at the start of the game made the Orlando Magic's Head Coach unable to help but shout at the players on the court, "We're not here on vacation today!"
But his yelling didn't help the Magic change the situation on the court.
Griffin received the ball in the paint, wanting to help his team break their scoring drought, but his shooting touch was clearly off today, missing a mid-range jump shot.
The rebound was collected by Lopez, and the Orlando Magic were just about to transition back on defense.
They then saw Lopez make a full-court pass.
It accurately found Kai, who had snuck ahead.
Kai Chen received the ball, dribbled once, and came within the three-point line!
After one more dribble, with his foot one step inside the free-throw line, he delivered another one-handed power dunk!
His terrifying jumping ability, coupled with Lopez's full-court pass, directly ignited the passion of the Clippers Fans inside Staples Center!
"This is why we basketball!"
"Here we go again, Kai is already treating this game like an All-Star exhibition!"
"This play, from Lopez's long pass to Kai Chen's dunk, took only three seconds—that's truly terrifying!"
The closest Orlando Magic player to Kai Chen was only near mid-court.
But by then, Kai Chen had already burst past half-court.
Whether it was his instantaneous burst speed or his reaction speed to Griffin's missed shot, Kai completely dominated the court!!
7:0!
The Los Angeles Clippers established a commanding lead early in the game, thanks to Kai's performance!
On the return possession, the Orlando Magic executed a clever play, but Fournier's three-pointer still missed.
The rebound was collected by Kai himself!
He drove the ball up the court from the backcourt, quickly evading Augustin who rushed to steal, then executed a nimble spin move to dodge Fournier's help defense, and passed the ball to Carmelo on the left side beyond the three-point line.
Carmelo received the ball, adjusted slightly, then with a gentle flick of his wrist, tossed the ball into the air!
"Thump!"
The next moment, Kai Chen, who had arrived under the basket, exploded upwards with both feet, intercepted the ball at his maximum height in the air, and then slammed it down with both hands!
"Boom!"
The powerful alley-oop dunk made the rim hum.
9:0!
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