Chapter 679: Get Ready
The Knicks vs Celtics series had become the most intense 1st round matchup in both conferences.
After 4 games, the path to the next round was already clear for most teams in the East and West.
The Miami Heat led the Chicago Bulls 3 to 1.
The Orlando Magic swept the Philadelphia 76ers 4 to 0.
The Nets led the Atlanta Hawks 3 to 1.
The Heat, Magic, and Nets all performed as expected, so there was not much to discuss.
Out West, the San Antonio Spurs swept the Phoenix Suns 4 to 0.
Nash announced that his season was over after playing only 2 games, and the remaining Suns, already a crippled force, had no power to fight back against the experienced Spurs.
On the day of the sweep, Suns fans missed Chen Yan deeply.
They missed Stoudemire.
They missed the Suns team whose 3 horse chariot had once galloped across the court.
But all of that was history now.
All they could do was vent their anger by holding up various banners cursing the team's management.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks also seized the initiative, with both teams leading their respective opponents 3 to 1.
The 4th seeded Charlotte Hornets completed a sweep of the Denver Nuggets.
After Anthony and Billups left the team, Denver's Playoff journey this season felt more like a formality.
Game 5 was held at the Celtics home court, TD Garden.
As the focal point of the 1st round, the arena was packed, and dozens of television stations broadcast the game live.
"This is Game 5 of the series," Mike Breen said. "The winning team will seize the initiative for the entire matchup, so I expect tonight's game to be intense and exciting."
Van Gundy said, "Boston won the last game, and tonight they are back at home, so the momentum is with the Celtics. The Knicks will probably have a very difficult game tonight, at least not an easy one. If they want to win, it will depend on Chen Yan, and whether he can use his scoring and passing to drive the entire offense."
Over on TNT, Barkley also favored Boston.
"The Celtics won the last game, and now they are at home. I have to say, the Knicks are in a tough spot tonight. If they want to win Game 5, they will have to work even harder than before."
"In other words," Kenny Smith interjected, "Chen Yan has to explode tonight."
Barkley chuckled.
"I am not worried about Chen Yan. Scoring is not hard for him, and neither are assists. As long as he wants to, he can put up ridiculous numbers every night. But winning a game with 1 man alone is not enough. Otherwise, Jordan would not have started winning championships only after Pippen arrived, and O'Neal would not have lifted the trophy until he partnered with Kobe."
Kenny nodded.
"The performance of the other Knicks players tonight is crucial, especially Curry. His outside 3 point shooting is a major weapon for New York. If he cannot get his shot going, Chen Yan's situation will become difficult too."
Soon, it was time for the players to enter the court.
Celtics fans stood and applauded.
The atmosphere was already heated before the game even began.
Boston fans wanted to pressure the Knicks, but Chen Yan was not affected at all.
All he was thinking about was how to seize the initiative at the start and then win the game.
Chen Yan silently used a status enhancement card.
Tonight, he had to be at peak condition.
In fact, before the game even started, Chen Yan had already boosted his attributes.
He took this game very seriously.
[Name]: Chen Yan
[Height]: 198 cm
[Weight]: 94 kg
[Wingspan]: 218 cm
[Standing Vertical Jump]: 109 cm
[Running Vertical Jump]: 122 cm
[Skills]: God Tier Steal, The Answer Crossover, Phantom Steps, Hot Start Passive, Perfect Hand Shape Passive, Juggling Finish Passive, Godly Pull Up Jumper, Passing Master Lv4, Sam Good, Iron Will Passive, Mamba Step Lv4, Post Up Moves Lv4, Lightning First Step, Fingertip Floater, Divine Shot Baptism, Nowitzki Fadeaway, Classic Floater, Magnetic Gloves Passive, Rebounding Monster Passive, Spiritual Leader, Buddha Crossing Move, God Tier Step Back Lv3
Honor Points: 80
Overall Rating: SSS
Chen Yan's offense and defense could be said to have reached top tier levels, but there was still room for improvement.
That was 1 of the reasons Chen Yan was still working so hard.
He wanted to see his own limits.
He wanted to know what would happen when all his attributes reached 99.
New York Knicks starting 5: Stephen Curry, Chen Yan, Shane Battier, Al Harrington, Kenyon Martin.
Boston Celtics starting 5: Derrick Rose, Daniels, Durant, Stoudemire, Kostic.
The starting lineups for both sides remained unchanged.
The game began.
Stoudemire won the jump ball, and Boston had the 1st possession.
Rose accelerated into the frontcourt with the ball, and Curry quickly stepped back to prevent him from using his speed and momentum to drive.
Rose pulled up directly from 1 step inside the 3 point line.
"Swish!"
2 points.
After hitting the mid range jumper, Rose raised his right hand, accepting the cheers of the fans.
In the previous game, Rose had spent more time on defense, so his offensive desire was exceptionally strong tonight.
However, Curry remained calm.
If he had to choose again, he would still defend that way.
Letting Rose shoot was far less dangerous than letting him drive.
New York offense.
Curry controlled the ball.
Rose's defensive strategy was the complete opposite.
Rose stuck close to Curry, not allowing him an easy shooting opportunity.
For Boston, Curry's outside shooting threat far exceeded his driving threat.
If he and Chen Yan both got hot from outside, it would be a nightmare for any opponent.
Curry called for a screen.
After the pick and roll, he drove inside against a bigger defender, then passed the ball to Chen Yan at the free throw line.
After receiving the ball, Chen Yan first faked a shot, then stepped his left foot to the left.
After 2 consecutive fakes, he drove along the baseline into the paint.
Stoudemire came over to help.
Former teammates met at the rim.
Both players jumped at the same time.
Chen Yan executed a wide reverse layup from the other side of the basket and scored.
2 to 2.
Stoudemire looked a little helpless.
Chen Yan's offensive moves were simply too unpredictable to defend.
"Great shot," Breen shouted. "Beautiful fake, incredible reverse layup. Chen Yan scores on his 1st possession of the game."
Van Gundy said, "Daniels was completely fooled on that play. Stoudemire's help defense was there, but he still could not stop Chen Yan from finishing."
Boston offense.
Rose and Durant ran a pick and roll.
After the switch, Durant had a mismatch against Curry.
Durant used his height advantage and pulled up for a 3 point shot over Curry at the top of the arc.
The basketball swished through the net.
5 to 2.
The Knicks responded again through Chen Yan.
With the ball in his hands, Chen Yan called for a screen.
Boston chose not to switch, because Chen Yan's ability to attack mismatches was simply too strong.
Daniels chose to go over the screen.
Seeing this, Chen Yan smoothly pulled back beyond the 3 point line.
Chen Yan had already set his shooting posture, and Daniels quickly rushed toward him.
After a pause, Chen Yan bent low and accelerated, blowing past Daniels cleanly.
Another Buddha Crossing Move.
Chen Yan drove into the paint with sparks flying, taking 3 steps.
Kostic jumped to intercept him.
It was less about blocking the ball and more about stopping the man.
Kostic tried to pull Chen Yan down from the air.
Boston had tasted success with aggressive fouls in the previous game, but Chen Yan was already prepared.
Chen Yan tightened his core.
At the moment his body lost balance, he lightly flicked his wrist.
High off the glass.
In.
As the ball dropped through the net, the referee's whistle sounded.
Chen Yan earned an extra free throw.
After landing, Chen Yan let out a roar toward the baseline camera.
His eyes were fierce and fearless.
He was ready to face any tactic Boston threw at him.
.....
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