Offensive and defensive transition, Clippers attack!
Beverley brought the ball past half-court. After a high pick-and-roll with Lopez, he couldn't find an opportunity.
No opportunity?
Then pass the ball to Kai Chen!
"Bang!"
With the ball in his hands, Kai faced the basket and used a triple threat to fake out Barnes.
But Barnes was an old hand, completely unfazed.
"Thump thump thump!"
Continuously lowering his center of gravity with crossover dribbles, Kai tried to find an opening in Barnes's defense.
But it wasn't that easy.
Harris Barnes is definitely an underestimated defender.
After coming to the Mavericks, his task in every game was to tirelessly deal with the opponent's primary scorer.
From shorter ball-handling guards to medium-height shooting guards, to heavy power forwards and small forwards who handle the ball, he can handle them all.
Unable to find an opening, Kai simply raised his center of gravity, turned his back to the basket, and leaned into the defender.
"If I'm not mistaken, this should be the first time this season that Kai Chen has posted up an opponent, right?"
Seeing this, Smith said excitedly, "I'm looking forward to his next move. After all, if you want to succeed Jordan and Kobe, post-up skills are indispensable!"
"Bang!"
As Smith spoke, Kai Chen took a step back and powered forward.
The next moment, Barnes, resisting with all his might, was forced to retreat.
In their first power confrontation, Kai had the absolute advantage!
"Thump thump thump!"
After gaining the edge, Kai continued with three strong dribbles, pushing backwards like a bulldozer until he reached the free-throw line.
Then, with a sudden back-pivot, he rose for a fadeaway jumper over Barnes's long arm.
"Swish!"
The basketball arced beautifully and dropped cleanly through the net.
"Michael Jordan!??"
As the picturesque fadeaway fell, Smith clasped his hands over his head in disbelief.
"It's so similar! So similar!"
"Ladies and gentlemen, if you haven't seen Jordan play, or if you miss Jordan, watch how Kai Chen plays!"
Not only Smith, but even the fans at the American Airlines Center were stunned.
"Are we watching Michael Jordan?"
Soon, a fan said, "Kai Chen's movements are so much like Jordan's!"
"If Kobe's jumper is a beautiful painting, and Jordan is that painting, then Kai Chen is the person inside it!"
"This might be why Kai Chen wears number 23!"
At the same time, Luka brushed past Kai Chen on the court.
"Not a bad jumper!"
"It's alright," Kai replied indifferently as he returned to defense.
5-2!
Back to the other end!
Luka Dončić received the ball at the elbow, facing Carmelo's defense.
"Bang!"
The same post-up. After turning, Luka used a one-legged fadeaway over Carmelo.
"Swish!"
"Beep!"
As the shot went in, the main referee blew the whistle.
"Woohoo~"
The entire American Airlines Center erupted.
They all knew whose signature move this was.
Dirk Nowitzki, sitting courtside.
"Carmelo Anthony commits a defensive foul. Luka Dončić's two points are valid, and he will get an additional free throw!"
Smith was in a frenzy again.
"Luka Dončić is proving he can take the torch from Dirk Nowitzki!"
"The next twenty years for Dallas are coming!"
O'Neal nodded beside him.
"Kai Chen and Luka Dončić both use their advantages to break down defenses. That's very impressive for rookies!"
"Based on current performances, they are the two strongest players in this draft!"
"Swish!"
As the commentators praised, Luka calmly sank the free throw.
5-5, both teams back to level!
Offensive and defensive transition!
Beverley dribbled into the frontcourt. Just as he looked for Kai Chen, Barnes aggressively boxed him out, cutting off the passing lane.
In other words, if Beverley dared to pass, Barnes would dare to steal.
"The referees have condoned this level of physicality."
Watching the intense battle, Smith commented, "Honestly, this is extremely physical and could easily lead to injuries."
In recent years, with the league emphasizing offense, this kind of body-to-body defense is rarely seen.
Even in intense playoff games, such fierce physicality is uncommon.
"Kid, you won't get the ball!"
Barnes didn't forget to trash talk while battling Kai.
"I'm here. You won't get the ball!"
"I like your confidence."
When it came to trash talk, Kai never backed down.
"Your strength is nothing compared to mine."
After saying that, Kai Chen muscled Barnes behind him, created space, extended his arm, and signaled Beverley.
Beverley delivered immediately.
"Bang!"
With the ball in hand, Kai didn't give Barnes another chance to speak.
A sudden deep three!
"Bang!"
While the ball was still in the air, Kai completed his release and made a pistol-to-the-head gesture toward Barnes.
"Swish!"
The shot dropped perfectly.
8-5!
Back to the other end, Luka continued to initiate a pick-and-roll with Jordan at the top of the arc.
After the screen, Jeff Green and Carmelo adjusted, cutting off Luka in advance.
"Slap!"
But Luka threaded an impossible pass through Carmelo's legs.
The ball bounced into Jordan's hands.
Jordan gathered, exploded off both feet, ready to throw down a thunderous dunk.
But in the very next second!
Behind him, a soaring figure rose like a shadow.
"Bang!"
Two massive palms slammed the ball against the backboard.
"Kai Chen!!"
Smith's voice echoed through the arena once again.
It had only been a minute since his last outburst.
After the block, Kai controlled the ball and immediately pushed the fast break.
The Mavericks sprinted back. Luka stepped in front, attempting to stop the play with a foul.
"Swish!"
Kai flung the ball forward.
Man and ball separated!
Three seconds later, he recovered it himself.
After shaking off Luka's interference, Kai accelerated again, Barnes charging in from the wing.
But Barnes's challenge only led to a smooth spin move.
After dribbling past two defenders, Kai arrived near the free-throw line.
One step inside, he leaped off one foot, switching the ball mid-air from left to right.
Right-handed tomahawk dunk!
"Boom!!"
10-5!
The Clippers took a 5-point lead!
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