Kapitel 100: Chapter 100: A Miraculous Decision – Tang Lei’s Gamble
As Coach Kerr called the Warriors' final timeout, the fans in the streaming chat erupted with mixed emotions.
"It's over, man. Down by 16 with only 3 minutes and 20 seconds left? Not even God could save them now unless he's wearing a Warriors jersey."
"Only a miracle can turn this around!"
"I can't watch anymore; this is unbearable. Tang Lei's defense was pathetic just now. He practically stepped aside. So disappointing."
"Hey, Tang Lei's playing with five fouls. What else do you expect from him?"
"Sure, Tang Lei is doing his best, but the whole team just looks exhausted. It's probably the back-to-back games, the altitude, the pressure… I can't keep watching."
Back on the court, Kerr was making his point clear. He emphasized the need for fast tempo and three-point shooting. Unless they had a wide-open layup, it was all about the three-pointers.
Tang Lei sat on the bench, his chest heaving as he took deep breaths. Sweat dripped from his forehead, evidence of the relentless altitude strain and back-to-back games. Despite his fatigue and altitude sickness, Tang Lei knew he couldn't back down now. With Thompson out, they were already missing a key shooter. If he didn't return, any hope for a comeback was gone.
"Only 3 minutes and 20 seconds left…" he muttered as he glanced at the scoreboard. The obstacles before him were overwhelming: five fouls, a 16-point deficit, high altitude fatigue. It was as if the weight of his career pressed down on his shoulders.
"This was supposed to be saved for the playoffs," Tang Lei thought with a sigh. But now, with no other option, he whispered a command to his system: "Open the system shop."
The system screen appeared before him, visible only to his eyes, displaying an array of talents and abilities from NBA legends. Two items caught his attention instantly.
Reggie Miller's "8 Points in 8.9 Seconds" and Tracy McGrady's "13 Points in 35 Seconds."
The Reggie Miller moment would cost him 40 system points, while McGrady's miracle moment required 70 points. With 240 system points saved up, Tang Lei didn't hesitate. He bought both skills immediately, knowing he needed every edge.
With these two boosts, he could theoretically score 21 points in less than a minute – just enough to make the impossible possible. Of course, in the real flow of an NBA game, opponents would still have their scoring opportunities. But it gave him a fighting chance, a glimmer of hope.
As the teams returned to the court, the lineups remained unchanged. Both teams had their strongest players out, and at this point, there were no more surprises to try.
"Go all out, don't be afraid of fouling. It's the last stretch," Kerr said, patting Tang Lei on the shoulder before sending him back in.
"I got you, Coach!" Tang Lei nodded, his gaze focused and unyielding.
The Warriors began their possession with Curry bringing the ball up the court. Durant, Tang Lei, and Livingston moved quickly around the floor, while Green set physical screens to clear a path. Following the game plan, Durant found an open spot just outside the three-point line, caught the pass, and let it fly.
Swish!
The ball went straight through, narrowing the gap to 102-89. A glimmer of hope flickered as the Warriors inched closer.
The Nuggets, holding a solid lead, slowed down the pace, carefully managing the clock. With the shot clock nearly expired, Murray shot a contested three over Curry – and, against all odds, it went in.
The arena exploded as Denver fans roared, their cheers echoing through the stadium. It was a gut-wrenching blow to the Warriors, who watched helplessly as the ball sailed in despite a strong defensive effort.
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100 chapters, Thanks y'all for support!
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