บท 183: Knicks vs. Bucks IV

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~~~(POV: Ulysses Kennedy)~~~

~~~(Date: October 25th, 2026)~~~

~~~(Location: Fiserv Forum Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin)~~~

~~~(Time: 3:55 PM)~~~

The start of the second quarter is upon us, and the Bucks have the lead with 41 to our 39. Jalen and Barrett are frustrated with themselves; they're not playing well at the moment. When I left the court, things got a little tough.

Even with Focused Hatred, the Bucks are stomping my team when I'm not on the court. But now I'll be in for the next 6 to 7 minutes. That's plenty of time to get the score back in our favor.

As I'm walking back on the court, the fans boo me with every step. We get possession, and that's something I'm glad for. We can set the tone for the second quarter. Barrett stands on the sideline and tosses the ball to me.

Inbounding it.

I make my way down the court, and before I can be swarmed, I pass it to Brunson. I start playing off-ball offense. Trying to get free. Giannis is making sure that he's sticking to me. Brunson is making it difficult for me. He's making it obvious he wants to pass it to me.

It doesn't last long. The defenders are being drawn more to my side of the paint, and that's when Brunson passes it to Barrett. He catches and shoots. Knocking the shot down with a trailing Middleton. There was too much space given.

"That's another three for the Knicks."

The announcer of the arena isn't as enthusiastic as when the Bucks score. But that's normal. Since this is their home court. I make my way back down on defense, and the score is now 44 to 39 in our favor. That's a good start to the beginning of the second quarter.

Giannis gets the ball and immediately charges at me. I'm not backing down, and our bodies clash hard. He loses the ball, and I take the chance and snatch it before anyone else can. I throw it down court to an open Brunson.

Scoring a quick two points. The groans of the audience are clearly heard. The score changes again, and it's 46 to 39. We've almost got a 10-point lead. The Bucks have no intention of staying behind, and that's precisely what they do in the next possession.

They use screens to get Giannis free from me, and he scores a quick two points and gets fouled by Robinson. He's screaming and mean mugging. It's a confidence booster, to be sure, but he shouldn't celebrate early.

I have a habit of doing that too, and I'm working on it. He makes the free throw. And the score is 46 to 42 in our favor. This has been a great game, and I bet ESPN is glad they're broadcasting it live.

This time, the ball is inbounded to Barrett, and he brings the ball down the court. I stand on my spot on the wing and start helping with the screen. The screen I set on Holiday gets Barrett free, and he alley-oops it to Jericho. Who throws it down.

Shaking the rim and mean mugging on the way down.

WHISTLE!!!

"That's a tech!!"

As frustrated as Tom is about that call, Jericho doesn't care. He's mean mugging and flexing. We make our way onto defense.

The score is now 48 to 42 in our favor.

We're about 1:30 into the second quarter. That's a good amount of time that's passed, and not a big gap has formed between the score. But this is the name of the game. You gotta beat the other team. The Bucks won't let you win.

They'd rather die than give up a close game in the second quarter.

~~~(POV: Hannah Fiona)~~~

~~~(Date: October 25th, 2026)~~~

~~~(Location: Apartment, New York)~~~

~~~(Time: 5:58 PM)~~~

I got home a few minutes ago and immediately joined Ellie on the couch. The game is close, and the score is 48 to 42. My heart races every time I see Ulysses touch that ball, and that's because I know what he's really capable of.

"I'm worried, Hannah..."

My eyes turn to Ellie in confusion.

"Why?"

That's the first time I've heard Ellie worried about Ulysses in a game.

"When he stops holding back... Everyone will see how impossible it is to beat him..."

Oh...

I get it...