svetikya Chapter 78 Trap Game
Chapter 78 Trap Game
Verizon Center.
Knicks vs. Wizards.
The stadium was only 70% full tonight, and the empty stands seemed to silently tell the story of the home team's decline.
This bleak scene, however, acted as a catalyst, exacerbating the Knicks players' insatiable arrogance.
During warm-up, Randolph and Nate even played a game of shooting from the center circle, laughing and joking, completely disregarding their opponents.
Randolph even made a bet with a caddie on the sidelines: if he made a logo shot, the caddie would have to buy him a Coke.
In contrast, the Wizards' half was completely quiet.
Jamison and Caron Butler, two veterans who have spent many years in this league, stared with grim faces at the group of New Yorkers who looked like they were on vacation.
They felt that blatant insult.
"These bastards..." Butler gritted his teeth. "Do they really think we're pushovers?"
……
Game start.
The Knicks' defense was a disaster.
Randolph is like a poorly designed NPC on the defensive end.
Faced with Jamison's signature, but not particularly fast, "crooked" floater, he didn't even bother to reach out, simply watching the basketball go into the net with his eyes.
"Good shot!" Randolph even nodded, as if he were admiring his opponent's performance.
Their offensive strategy was extremely unpredictable.
Wilson had just crossed half-court when he felt his shooting touch was on, and without regard for his teammates' positioning, he launched a long-range three-pointer.
"Three things to avoid!"
The ball flew directly out of bounds.
Nate dribbled, trying to show off a nutmeg, but the ball hit the defender's foot, resulting in a turnover.
End of first quarter.
Knicks 20:28 Wizards.
They were down by 8 points.
"It's okay." D'Antoni, though somewhat displeased, continued to encourage his players from the sidelines, "If we just tighten up a little, we can catch up."
……
Second and third sections.
According to the usual script, at this point, the Knicks only need to exert a little effort, and Li Xiangbei, who has unlimited stamina, only needs to make two runs to take the lead.
But today, the god of basketball seems to be punishing their arrogance.
It feels cold to the touch.
Gallinari missed several wide-open three-pointers in a row.
During the pause, he was bent over, pale, and even looked like he was about to vomit.
"What's wrong, Danilo?" D'Antoni asked with concern.
"My stomach... my stomach feels a little uncomfortable, I probably ate something bad." Gallinari lied; it was actually a hangover from the night before.
Li Xiangbei glanced at him coldly from the side, said nothing, and simply handed him a bottle of water.
Inside line.
Randolph tried to overpower the Wizards with his body, but his movements were slow, and he was blocked twice by the Wizards' young substitute, JaVale.
"Snapped!"
Randolph was somewhat dazed by the cover.
The Wizards were not intimidated by this so-called strong team.
Butler displayed true toughness, constantly attacking Li Xiangbei and Nate's defense, using physical confrontation to wear down the Knicks' already limited stamina.
After a defensive lapse, Randolph was headed in by Jamison.
As Jamison returned to defense, he looked at the fat man who was still shrugging and said coldly:
"Do you think you're champions? In Washington, you're nothing."
Randolph opened his mouth, wanting to retort, but looking at the scoreboard showing a deficit, he was speechless for a moment.
Li Xiangbei has been trying to wake up his teammates by passing the ball.
But their legs were heavy, and they couldn't execute the smooth tactics they usually did.
Boiling a frog in lukewarm water.
By the time the Knicks realized the water was too hot, it seemed to be a little too late.
……
There are 5 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Knicks 88:100 Wizards.
Trailing by 12 points.
Li Xiangbei sighed.
It's impossible to rely on this group of drunkards; I'll have to do it myself.
[Guaranteed credit limit: 7/8 (activated)]
Using cover, he pulled out three points.
"brush!"
Next round.
He broke through and passed the ball, and although his teammate wasn't in position, he forced a pass into an open space, assisting David Lee for a layup.
Another steal and fast break, a coast-to-coast dunk!
[Guaranteed credit limit: 8/8 (activated)]
Logo midfield three-pointer.
"brush!"
Li Xiangbei scored 8 consecutive points and provided 2 assists, pulling the team back from the brink of defeat.
One minute left.
102:102 tie.
The score is tied.
The tension that had gripped the Knicks team vanished instantly, as if they had already secured the victory.
Randolph even started laughing and making faces at the bench: "See! We caught up when we were a little more serious! These rookies are no match for us!"
Looking at his teammates' "once the pain is gone, the wound is forgotten" attitude, Li Xiangbei frowned even more deeply.
This kind of blind optimism is more dangerous than falling behind.
……
The last 15 seconds.
The Knicks have possession of the ball.
Li Xiangbei holds the ball at the top of the arc.
The Wizards double-teamed him relentlessly, practically surrounding him with three players.
Li Xiangbei calmly observed the situation.
He saw Wilson in the bottom corner.
That was an absolutely huge open space.
With a flick of his wrist, Li Xiangbei sent the basketball flying precisely into Chandler's hands.
Chandler receives the ball, adjusts, and shoots.
This was an excellent opportunity; normally, he would be 70% confident of getting in.
But his hand went limp today.
"when!"
The basketball slammed heavily against the rim and bounced out!
The Wizards did not call a timeout.
Butler grabbed the rebound and immediately launched a fast break.
The Knicks' defense was in complete disarray.
Randolph was running slowly, and he originally had a chance to follow up and defend Jamison, who was lurking in the corner.
But he glanced at Butler, who was driving into the paint, and took a gamble: they're definitely going to break through the paint!
So Randolph chose to stay under the basket and help defend.
However, Butler made a sudden pass.
The ball flew to Jamison in the bottom corner.
There was no one three meters in front of him.
Jamison calmly adjusted, jumped, and released the ball.
Randolph stood under the basket, watching helplessly as the ball arced through the air.
The light is on.
Goal!
"brush!"
105:102.
Wizards hit a game-winning shot!
The moment the ball went into the net, the broadcast camera gave Randolph's astonished face a close-up.
He paid the heaviest price for his laziness.
……
The Verizon Center erupted in enthusiastic cheers.
The Wizards players rushed onto the court like madmen, pinning Jamison down in celebration, as if they were the real 50-win team.
On the Knicks' side, there was complete silence.
Randolph's smile froze, and he stood there, frozen like a child who had done something wrong.
He subconsciously looked at Li Xiangbei.
In the past, whenever this happened, the boss would always come over, pat him on the shoulder, and say, "It's okay, we'll win next time."
He longed for that comforting look.
But this time.
Li Xiangbei completely ignored his gaze.
He turned around without looking back and walked straight into the players' tunnel.
Randolph's heart skipped a beat.
This ignoring him made him more anxious than being scolded.
The winning streak has ended.