Chapter 89

"arenas——forthreeeeeeee！"

The DJ's shout echoed through the arena, boosting the morale of the Wizards' players. As the timeout arrived, they each came forward to bump chests with Arenas in celebration.

"Aaron, you played well. Keep being aggressive on both ends of the court. We need to find a way to cool Gilbert down!"

Cheeks laid out the strategy, setting higher expectations for the team's iron man, Allen Iverson.

The game had entered the final five minutes of the fourth quarter, with the score at 85-92.

After Chen Mu came off the court, the 76ers, led by Iverson, fought back fiercely and managed to keep the score from widening.

During this period, Iverson unleashed his full offensive power, scoring continuously. The Wizards' defense, which was not particularly tight, was no match for Iverson. As long as he avoided turnovers, maintaining a scoring duel with Arenas was not a problem.

However, the 76ers had no better way to deal with the Wizards' three stars. Arenas, Butler, and Jamison took turns bombing from both inside and outside, making it difficult to close the gap.

Especially in the middle of the fourth quarter, Arenas, who had been frustrated earlier, found his rhythm and, along with the other two scoring experts, hit consecutive mid-range and long-range shots, reversing the game's momentum once again.

"The decisive moment is coming."

Cheeks looked at the bench, where Webber and Chen Mu, his most trusted big men, had caught their breath and seemed to have recovered some stamina.

"Chris, Chen, you two get in there. Slow down the pace and establish an advantage in the paint!"

Compared to their three stars on the perimeter, the Wizards' frontcourt was relatively average, especially power forward Jeffries, who, despite his mid-range shooting skills, was soft on defense. If the 76ers could exploit this weakness, they still had a chance.

"Feed Chris more often; we'll focus on attacking Jeffries."

Cheeks drew the strategy on the board, positioning the fatigued Iverson on the weak side to provide support.

"Chris, post up on the strong side and take Jeffries. Take your shots when you have the opportunity and create contact. We need to keep the score close!"

"Kyle and Andre, increase your movement. Kyle, position yourself at the strong side baseline. Andre, set up at the 45-degree angle. Take your shots when you have the chance, especially Andre, be aggressive in attacking the paint."

"On the weak side, we'll run a two-man game. Chen, position yourself at the baseline. Aaron, stand at the weak side 45-degree angle. If there's trouble on the strong side, move the ball quickly. Chen and Aaron, set more screens to create opportunities for Aaron."

"Chen, your shooting isn't great, but take your shots to find your rhythm. If it doesn't feel right, use your passing to keep the team flowing. And..."

Cheeks drew a circle near the key with his pen, his expression serious. "Rebounds, go get those damn rebounds!"

"Yes, sir!"

The 76ers' morale rose, and they ended the timeout, encouraging each other as they stepped back onto the court.

"You're the rebounding guardian of Philadelphia. Even though we're in Washington, show some spirit!"

Iguodala slapped Chen Mu's back hard, gritting his teeth. "Fight to the end!"

"Alright!!"

The cheers rang out, and the game resumed.

Arenas controlled the ball, passing it to Butler on the weak side, who then cut inside using Jamison's screen.

Butler took a step inside and passed from the high post. Arenas received the ball near the three-second area and moved toward the basket.

"Watch this!"

Webber rushed forward to block, forcing Arenas to run laterally under the basket, leaving no shooting opportunity.

However, at this moment, Jamison and the open Jeffries quickly set a screen. Jamison moved to the three-second area, raising his hands for the ball.

Without looking, Arenas made a behind-the-back pass, and the ball accurately reached Jamison, who jumped to attempt a bank shot.

"No way!"

Chen Mu shouted, taking a step forward and jumping, leaving Hayward behind. He jumped with all his might.

But the fatigue had reduced his jumping height, and Jamison's shot was too quick, hitting the board and scoring before Chen Mu reached his peak.

After landing, Chen Mu felt a cramp coming on, a specific kind of twitching that almost made him fall.

Just a little more, just a little more to touch the ball, just a little higher...

Despite the physical fatigue, a fire burned in Chen Mu's heart.

On the offensive end, the 76ers followed the strategy, with Webber receiving the ball at the low post and immediately choosing to power through.

A fake move in the paint fooled Jeffries, and Webber, gritting his teeth, scored a layup.

"Good shot!"

The teammates cheered loudly, knowing that the 32-year-old veteran, who had suffered a major knee injury, was giving everything he had.

The game's pace was slow, with Iverson chasing Arenas relentlessly, forcing him to slow down.

The Wizards' set offense continued, and after a series of plays, the ball reached Jamison, who had an open shot under the basket.

As Jamison jumped, he saw a yellow-skinned figure running from the weak side, leaping with all his might.

"His jump... got higher...?"

Jamison was surprised but maintained his rhythm, pulling back slightly and scoring the layup, adding two more points.

"Just a little higher... a little higher!"

Chen Mu panted, his legs feeling like they weren't his own, but his fighting spirit kept him running.

The coach, Allen, Andre, Chris... they all trusted him, never losing faith in him even when he performed poorly.

If I give up, no one can save me!

Chen Mu gritted his teeth, running to the front court and quickly spreading out to clear space for Webber.

Just like before, Webber received the ball and posted up. As Iguodala moved up, Webber faked a pass, causing Jeffries to lose focus and look at Iguodala at the 45-degree angle.

Now!

Feeling the defense loosen, Webber turned to the baseline, circling the basket and scoring a reverse layup.

Still 7 points!

The 76ers didn't give up, defending with all their might. The Wizards' set plays failed, and Butler took a three-pointer.

"Rebound!"

Chen Mu's vision blurred, his legs struggling to keep up with his mind, but his fighting spirit drove him to jump near the free-throw line, almost simultaneously with Hayward.

In mid-air, the ball seemed to be heading into Hayward's stronger hands, but Chen Mu extended his long arms, reaching just below the ball.

A tenacious rebounder!

The ball was tipped up, and Chen Mu and Hayward landed at the same time. Before Hayward could jump again, Chen Mu leaped once more.

"Slap!"

He cleanly grabbed the rebound, but his momentum almost carried him out of bounds.

"Chen!"

Iverson shouted, and Chen Mu quickly turned, passing the ball before it went out of bounds, then fell heavily to the ground.

"Wow..."

The crowd gasped, and the camera operator behind the basket quickly moved out of the way, still focusing on Chen Mu.

Chen Mu fell hard, sliding a short distance before being stopped by the staff.

Looking up, he saw his teammates rushing to the front court. Knowing he couldn't waste any time, he endured the intense pain in his calves and ran forward.

Webber received the ball and faced a one-on-one situation. This time, the Wizards recognized the strategy, and Hayward moved to double-team.

Chen Mu hadn't reached the front court yet, and Webber was almost locked down by the Wizards' defense. Just before a turnover, he passed the ball out, and Iguodala, moving forward, caught it.

"Aaron!"

Iguodala, remembering the coach's instructions, immediately passed the ball to Iverson on the weak side. In front of Iverson, Arenas was in position, and Hayward was moving to help.

As Iverson hesitated about whether to attack, a figure appeared next to Arenas.

"Here!"

Chen Mu called out, standing next to Arenas and setting a solid screen. Iverson took advantage, breaking to the baseline and hitting a mid-range shot in his sweet spot.

5-point gap!

During the transition, everyone could see that the Chinese player's legs were not right.

He was almost limping, his face contorted in pain, clearly struggling.

On the brink of cramping, one more full sprint or jump would definitely cause a cramp.

This peculiar feeling is familiar to all sports enthusiasts.

At such moments, immediate rest and relaxation of the calf muscles, or stretching with help, are needed.

Otherwise, one more big move will definitely cause a cramp.

Chen Mu knew this. Sweat dripped from his forehead, and the pain was so intense he couldn't even say "good shot." He gritted his teeth, high-fived Iverson, and ran back to the backcourt.

The Wizards' offense, in the world of sports, there is no mercy. Seeing Chen Mu's leg issues, Arenas showed no sympathy and gave tactical instructions to his teammates.

On the strong side, Jamison and Jeffries quickly switched positions, with Jamison using his size to pin Chen Mu.

Target the Chinese player, make him ineffective!

Arenas thought.

Jamison received the ball, facing the ATM machine Chen Mu, and without hesitation, pushed back and started to power through.

"Thud, thud, thud"

Muscles and bones collided, Chen Mu's legs stretching backward, his feet digging into the ground, refusing to give an inch.

Jamison was stronger, and after several pushes, he reached the basket, turning to score a layup.

"Ah, ah, ah!!"

Chen Mu roared, jumping and staring at the ball, ready to block it if Jamison shot.

But Jamison faked the shot.

Recovering the ball, Jamison turned to the other side and scored a left-handed layup.

Landing, Chen Mu's legs began to tremble, but he wasn't giving up.

"Just a little higher, just a little higher... to block his layup!"

Chen Mu gritted his teeth and jumped again. As his feet left the ground, a sharp pain hit him, and he knew he had cramped.

But the jump was relatively smooth, and Chen Mu saw the ball just leaving Jamison's fingers.

The intense pain refocused Chen Mu's mind. Everything else became unimportant: the noise, the cheers, the teammates' shouts, the opponents' smirks. All he could think about was:

"Block this damn ball!"

As the ball rose, Jamison's smile grew.

But that smile froze as Chen Mu made his final leap.

"Bang!"

A thunderous block sent the ball to the backcourt, ending the offensive time, and the Wizards committed a 24-second violation.

Amid the cheers of the 76ers' players and coaches, Chen Mu collapsed, clutching his calf in pain, almost screaming.