NBA: Starting with the undercut by Parker and Bowen

January 2, 2008, TD Garden, Boston.

Night falls, and a great battle is about to begin.

With the formation of the Big Three during the offseason and the team's exceptional performance since the start of the new season, the Boston basketball market has become hot again.

Tonight's first game of the new year, against a strong Western Conference opponent, will certainly not be missed by Celtics fans.

Even before the players entered the field, the stadium was already buzzing with excitement.

The visiting team's entrance corridor, where the Rockets players gathered.

Hearing the noise coming from inside the stadium, Yang Lin looked at his teammates beside him, smiled, and shouted loudly:

"Guys, did you hear the chants in the arena? They're all home team fans, they're all here to cheer on the Celtics."

The Rockets players looked at Yang Lin, their faces filled with confusion and bewilderment.

Has our little leader gone mad?

This is Boston's home court, and everyone here is a home team fan, so of course they're here to cheer for the Celtics.

What else? Are you suggesting we cheer for the away team?

When we play at home in Houston, don't the local fans all come to cheer us on?

Yang Lin, unaware of his teammates' unspoken criticisms, continued:

"So, don't you think it would be really interesting if we wiped out the Celtics here tonight?"

"The media says we're the first strong Western Conference team the Celtics have faced since forming their Big Three. If they get blown out tonight, does that mean the so-called Big Three are overrated?"

There's an old Chinese saying: "The higher you stand, the harder you fall." The more they're praised now, the more they'll be criticized after losing to us.

"What if we lose?" the straightforward new recruit, John Salmons, couldn't help but ask.

Yang Lin rolled his eyes at him and muttered, "So what if we lost? We injured Tracy, isn't it only right that we lost? After all, it's a two-core vs. three-core battle."

Salmons' eyes lit up.

Yeah! So what if we lost?

Let's do it then?

As the players from both sides entered the field, the noise in the stadium grew even louder.

Upon entering the field, Yang Lin's eyes immediately darted toward the home team's bench.

Just then, as he looked out, the Celtics' Big Three, along with Rondo, were also watching the visiting team.

Their eyes met, and they were both startled at first, then nodded to each other and smiled.

Neither of them knew that when they looked away, their eyes revealed a fighting spirit, as if they wanted to kill each other.

At 7 p.m., the starting players for both sides took to the field.

With McGrady and Wilcox sidelined due to injury, Adelman's starting five for tonight is:

Yang Lin, Matt Barnes, Shane Battier, Chuck Hayes, Yao Ming.

For the home team, the Celtics, the roster was relatively complete, with Doc Rivers fielding their regular starting five:

Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins.

Yao Ming and Perkins stepped into the jump ball circle.

Yang Lin was puzzled. At least their family member who was 226cm tall had a height of 226cm to back them up. What did Perkins have that made him stand out?

At 2.08 meters tall and 280 pounds, he looks like he's just there to make things easier for 226.

If you want to take it, you must first give it.

Give 226 a little something to taste first, then crush him in the match?

Of course, or perhaps as 226 said: the opening jump ball is really not that important.

"Beep!"

The referee blew his whistle, the basketball was thrown out, and the game officially began.

Yao Ming's jump was so close, it's unclear whether his toes even left the ground;

Perkins was decisive; when the whistle blew for the jump ball, he didn't even try, but turned and ran towards his own defensive half.

Without any suspense, Yao Ming successfully jumped for the ball, and Yang Lin caught the basketball.

Upon gaining possession, Yang Lin immediately dribbled forward and attempted to launch a fast break.

The other Rockets players quickly got into position, and after crossing half-court, Yang Lin threw the ball to Battier at the left 30-degree angle.

Garnett covered for Battier, but Battier didn't force a shot and passed the ball to Chuck Hayes inside the penalty area.

Hayes gets the ball, Pierce switches defense.

After bumping into the defender, Hayes turned and made a powerful hook shot.

"Bang!" A muffled sound, the shot missed.

Hayes drove to the basket, boxed out Pierce, and grabbed the offensive rebound himself.

Perkins positioned himself inside, and seeing no opportunity, Hayes quickly passed the ball to Yang Lin, who was there to receive it.

Yang Lin dribbled the ball out to the side, and Yao Ming rushed to the free-throw line.

The Celtics switched on defense after a pick-and-roll between the two players.

Yang Lin passed the ball to Yao Ming, who had been disorganized, and then, using Barnes' screen, made a reverse run to the left 45-degree three-point line.

The ball arrived just in time, and Yao Ming returned it promptly.

After receiving the ball again, Yang Lin turned and jumped, successfully flicking the ball off his fingertips before Ray Allen could pounce and interfere.

"Swish!" The three-pointer went in, the first point of the game.

After landing, looking at Ray Allen standing helplessly with his hands on his hips in front of him, Yang Lin couldn't help but ask with a smile:

"Ray, how's my three-point shooting? Can I challenge your three-point king title?"

Ray Allen was taken aback by Yang Lin's question; he clearly hadn't expected Yang Lin to suddenly ask such a question.

As is well known, Ray Allen has a somewhat... eccentric personality, and his relationships with teammates and coaches are never very harmonious.

But he had a good impression of Yang Lin.

First, they are all three-point sharpshooters, and practical three-point sharpshooters;

Secondly, Yang Lin crippled someone in the Western Conference Finals last season, which helped him vent his anger.

Ray Allen forced a strained smile and nodded at Yang Lin, praising, "Very good three-pointer!"

Then, he changed the subject.

"But if you want to challenge for the title of Three-Point King, this is far from enough."

"Hmm! Maybe you should participate in an All-Star Three-Point Contest first and win the Three-Point King trophy. That way, you'll have a chance to challenge them."

Yang Lin was bewildered and asked hesitantly, "There's such a saying?"

Ray Allen's smile widened, becoming radiant. "Yes, there is! I just finalized it..."

Holy crap! I'm laughing so hard.

In the transition between offense and defense, Rondo dribbled the ball across half-court.

With the formation of the Celtics' Big Three, Rajon Rondo appears to be one of the biggest beneficiaries.

Because of the trade, his competitors disappeared, and he secured his position as the team's starting point guard.

Because of the powerful firepower of the Big Three, his shooting deficiencies are no longer a problem; his playmaking and defense become even more dazzling and outstanding.

So far this season, he is the only Celtics player whose stats have increased significantly.

Knowing Rondo's shooting ability, Yang Lin's defense was spread out far, mainly focusing on defending against drives and pick-and-rolls.

Garnett received the pass at the high post, Rondo passed it off to him, and then Garnett started running.

He first led Yang Lin quickly down the right flank, creating an unmarked baseline for Ray Allen.

Then quickly pull up, using Perkins as a lateral screen, and turn from right to left.

Perkins' massive size and excellent cover effectively blocked Yang Lin's pursuit.

Garnett returns the ball, and Rondo drives into the paint.

Despite being outmaneuvered by Yao Ming's help defense, the smaller player managed to dodge Yao Ming's block and score a layup.

After scoring, Rondo looked very happy. As he retreated and passed Yang Lin, he couldn't help but mutter:

"Boston is not just about the Big Three, and you won't be the only champion among the 06 rookies."

What the hell!

I originally thought it would be a battle between two stars against three giants, but Coach Long stole the show.

Rockets are on offense, Yang Lin dribbles to the top of the key.

Rondo followed closely in front of him, afraid to give him even the slightest space, as he would throw the ball away.

Looking at the cautious Rondo, Yang Lin scoffed, "Raja, can't you loosen up a bit? Can't you learn from my defense just now and give me two meters of space?"

Rondo's lips twitched, he remained silent, but inwardly he was thinking: Fuck! Give you two meters of space and you can shoot the Boston Nets to pieces.

Seeing that Rondo didn't react, Yang Lin's eyes darted around, and he said with a mischievous grin, "By the way, Rajon, you're doing pretty well these days!"

"Congratulations! You've become the fourth-best player on the team."