章 37: Chapter 37: Embiid’s Slip-Up and Scott’s Call to Action

During the timeout, Sixers head coach Brett Brown was visibly frustrated. Embiid had been humiliated—blocked with a volleyball-style slap, dunked on, and even made to look clumsy by a well-timed fake. Any player would feel the sting of such moments, but for Embiid, the team's cornerstone, it was unacceptable.

Coach Brown's mind raced, formulating a new plan to settle the score. His eyes landed on Mike Scott, a forward covered in tattoos and known for his physical style.

"Scott, you're in. Shut down that kid from China!" he ordered.

Scott's eyes glinted with excitement as he nodded firmly. His version of "shutting down" meant using sneaky fouls, trash talk, and, if needed, pushing boundaries with physicality.

Almost every contending team had someone like Scott. Players like Bowen, Pachulia, and Crowder—all experts at the dark arts of disruption—knew how to unsettle an opponent when the stakes were high.

...

As the timeout ended, both teams returned to the court. Noticing Scott now guarding him, Curry walked up to Tang Lei, giving him a quick word of caution, "Watch out for this guy."

"Got it," Tang Lei replied with a nod. Scott's aura of aggression was unmistakable; he looked every bit the enforcer he was rumored to be.

Sixers possession.

Ben Simmons orchestrated the offense, taking a screen at the top of the key before accelerating toward the rim. Looney scrambled to cover, but Simmons lofted a soft lob over him. Embiid was ready, leaping to snatch the ball mid-air before slamming it home.

Score: 74–81.

The Sixers regained momentum, stretching their lead to seven points.

Warriors possession.

With Curry at the helm, Tang Lei quickly moved through the Sixers' interior, creating space to receive the ball. Scott stuck close, not giving him an inch. As Tang caught the ball in the post, Scott positioned his hand firmly on Tang's waist, applying a subtle but forceful push.

Tang Lei recognized the foul play immediately. Such moves were subtle enough to escape most refs' notice, but disruptive enough to mess with a player's rhythm. Players who got riled up or lost focus would be playing right into Scott's hands. Tang knew better than to fall into that trap.

With a deft shoulder fake to the left, Tang caught Scott off guard before smoothly spinning into a fadeaway jumper. Scott lunged forward, sneaking his foot just slightly closer, hoping to disturb Tang's landing, but Tang's high arc made the tactic useless.

Swish!

Score: 76–81.

On the next play, Simmons tried a similar lob to Embiid, but Tang Lei saw it coming. Timing his jump perfectly, he swatted the ball out of Embiid's reach.

Iguodala grabbed the loose ball, bolting downcourt on a fast break. The Sixers' defense was quick to retreat, forcing Iguodala to kick it back to Curry, who had trailed the play and was now at the three-point line. With Simmons closing in, Curry shot a leaning three without hesitation.

Swish!

Score: 79–81.

The Warriors were within two points, and the crowd was roaring as Brown, pacing the sideline, yelled for more defensive intensity. He couldn't believe the turnaround. Just five minutes ago, the Sixers had led by twelve, only for the Warriors to rally back within three minutes.

This was the era of fast-paced basketball—no lead was safe. Gone were the days of slow, grinding post play. The new style showcased dazzling movement, rapid-fire shots from beyond the arc, and athletic drives that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

...

As the game resumed, the Sixers inbounded the ball. Tang Lei noticed Scott had upped the physicality even further, nudging him off-balance at every opportunity, but Tang kept his cool, sidestepping each attempt to rile him up.