Oakland, Oracle Arena!
"For a scorer of Kai Chen's caliber, whether the shot goes in or not doesn't depend on the opponent's defense at all!"
As Kai, facing Durant's defense, once again made a beautiful fadeaway jumper, Smith emphasized on commentary, "When you reach Kai Chen's level of effortless control, whether the shot goes in or not simply depends on your own touch!"
Unlimited switching?
Double-teaming?
Klay Thompson? Kevin Durant? Iguodala? Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green?
The Warriors' four top defenders were completely helpless against Kai in this game!
"Although Kai Chen is unstoppable on offense, the Warriors still maintain their lead!"
O'Neal reminded from the side, "From the start of the first quarter until now, even though Chen has been scoring continuously, the Warriors are still leading the Clippers thanks to their overall team performance!"
Just as O'Neal said.
In the first quarter, Kai Chen's efficiency was astonishing, shooting 9-for-10 and scoring 24 points with a 90% field goal percentage.
However, his team still trailed the home Warriors 36-40, by 4 points.
This was not unrelated to the Warriors' lineup.
Coach Kerr deployed the Death Lineup from the start, and Iguodala's presence added another passer to connect the offense.
With him, the Warriors' offensive spacing was wider, allowing the Splash Brothers on the perimeter to play to their heart's content.
In contrast, for the Clippers,
aside from Kai, the performance of the others on offense was slightly subpar.
Especially Lopez. His slow foot movement was firmly exploited by the Warriors, leading to continuous transition attacks.
This was also very normal. Before this, the Clippers had experienced a rare four-game road trip in a single week.
Long stretches of play coupled with travel fatigue meant fluctuating player conditions were only to be expected.
However, the Warriors, as defending champions, wouldn't care about any of that.
Steve Kerr always seemed to have a smile on his face, but whenever the team called a timeout, he consistently emphasized speeding up the pace and playing at a faster tempo.
After the first quarter, under the huge halo of Kai Chen versus the entire Warriors team, NBA Insider still noticed a clue.
"This game can be described as a complete tactical outmaneuvering of that idiot Doc Rivers by Steve Kerr!"
NBA Insider analyzed the statistics on his computer. "Kai is still the omnipotent Kai Chen, scoring 25 points in a single quarter with nearly perfect efficiency. His performance is absolutely astonishing."
"Even with this historical level of play, he still couldn't help the Clippers take the lead."
"Look at this, the Warriors deployed the Death Lineup from the start. Their intention was simple: take advantage of the Clippers' fatigue and speed up the game. And that idiot Doc Rivers actually let Lopez play the entire first quarter!"
"Damn that idiot Doc Rivers. He should step down and let me coach the Clippers!"
While NBA Insider furiously criticized Doc Rivers,
"Kai, do you remember our previous system?"
On the Clippers' bench, Coach Rivers calmly asked Kai Chen, "I think now is the time to bring out that lineup!"
"Try it against the Warriors?"
Kai chugged a drink of Gatorade. "I think we can!"
The lineup Doc Rivers mentioned originated from an intra-squad scrimmage before the start of the season.
In that game, Kai led a group of bench players to victory over the Clippers' starting lineup.
Under Kai Chen's guidance, Grayson Allen and Jonathan Simmons had eye-catching performances.
Initially, Doc Rivers suggested adding Lopez to this lineup to protect defensive rebounds.
But Kai Chen offered his own idea: go completely small, just like the Warriors, without relying on height at all!
Now, with the Warriors starting with the Death Lineup, it was the Clippers' turn to respond!
The break between quarters quickly ended, and as the second quarter began, the rotation lineups of both teams battled fiercely.
If there was any advantage this Clippers team had against the Warriors,
it might be their bench unit, led by Lou Williams and Harrell.
Although the Clippers were playing well, the score remained 52-54.
The lead never widened.
Steve Kerr calmly adjusted his lineup.
Ensuring the starters had ample stamina, he brought on the Splash Brothers along with Iguodala.
Considering Draymond Green's foul trouble, Livingston continued to play.
Similarly, Coach Rivers, after exchanging glances with Kai Chen, made his adjustment.
Grayson Allen, Lou Williams, and Jonathan Simmons remained on the court.
Immediately after, Kai Chen and Jeff Green stepped onto the floor.
"The Clippers have made a lineup adjustment. They didn't bring in Lopez??"
Smith suddenly changed his tone. "Am I seeing this correctly???"
"The Clippers have also abandoned their center and are going small???"
"This is indeed unexpected," O'Neal added, equally surprised. "Are the Clippers planning to go small against the Warriors???"
Not just the commentators, the Clippers' lineup change also brought a look of surprise to Steve Kerr's face.
He hadn't expected that Doc Rivers, known for stability, would go small against him.
It should be noted that so far this season, these five Clippers players had not logged a single minute together.
"Brown, note down the tactical arrangements of this Clippers lineup over the next few possessions!"
Out of caution, Kerr reminded Mike Brown. "This game might develop very differently from what we expected."
The game continued. Warriors offense!
After Livingston brought the ball across half-court, he decisively lobbed it to Iguodala in the low post.
Iguodala received the ball with his back to the basket, waiting for the play to develop.
On the wing, the Splash Brothers used a screen, running out simultaneously in opposite directions.
In the very next moment, Kai Chen and Lou completed a timely switch, chasing Curry and Thompson respectively.
Iguodala was momentarily stunned.
The play hadn't materialized. With little time remaining, he passed the ball to Durant at the top of the arc.
Durant rose and fired a three over Jeff Green's long arms!
"Clang!"
The ball hit the front rim and missed.
In the scramble for the rebound, Grayson Allen turned into a desperate fighter, grabbing the ball ahead of Livingston and Iguodala!
"Perfect defense, perfect rebound protection!"
Watching Grayson's effort, Smith immediately praised, "People from Duke University are not softies!"
Softies?
Who exactly are you implying!?
After securing the rebound, Grayson Allen quickly passed to Kai Chen.
Instantly, all five Clippers players launched a counter-attack!
Just moments ago, the Warriors were pushing in transition.
Now, it was the Clippers running full speed!
Although the Warriors' Death Lineup was quick, Livingston, Iguodala, and Durant were forwards, completely unable to stop the Clippers' fast break.
After all, aside from Jeff Green, the Clippers lineup consisted entirely of guards, far quicker on their feet.
Even if Curry and Klay retreated in time, they were facing an impossible situation.
Steve Kerr on the sideline was visibly stunned.
Because!
At that moment, the five Clippers players spread out in a fan-shaped formation.
Grayson Allen, Simmons, Jeff Green, and Lou positioned themselves beyond the three-point line.
Kai Chen, with the ball, could attack the rim at any time or pass to any one of them.
All five Clippers players possessed reliable three-point shooting.
Combined with Kai's elite scoring ability, stopping this possession was nearly impossible.
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