Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Chinese Derby Without Regret

The Rockets hurriedly called a timeout! Now both teams were once again standing at the same starting line. The situation was that the Rockets’ main player, Yao Ming, was clearly running out of stamina, and his teammates were also fatigued to varying degrees, thanks to the Warriors’ fast-paced style. But the Warriors remained unyielding, having strengthened their player rotation.

The game resumed with the Rockets’ offense. The Rockets were certainly not a simple team; they adjusted their attacking strategy. The Warriors’ fronting defense reduced Yao Ming’s opportunities to handle the ball, but did nothing to diminish his dominance in the paint. Especially, once Yao Ming received the ball while being fronted, he could score with ease. So, they asked Yao Ming to continue to increase his aggressiveness inside, rather than simply focus on scoring with the ball himself. As a result, the Rockets relied more on their perimeter offense, which was formidable in its own right. Martin, Lee, Lowry, Budinger, and Dragic were all excellent outside shooters, and even Miller, an inside player, had a solid three-point shot. Coincidentally, the Warriors’ three-point attack was the best in the league, so it was inevitable that both teams would duel from beyond the arc. The upcoming minutes promised to be a classic shootout.

Yao Ming established his position inside and increased his movement, making it much harder for the Warriors’ Claudson to defend him. Jobs was ready to help at any moment, forcing the Warriors to collapse inward and leaving more space outside. Lowry controlled the ball along the perimeter, with Martin and Budinger lurking on the outside. Scola moved up for a high pick-and-roll. Lin Fei couldn’t keep up with Lowry, and Exes came in to help. Budinger found himself wide open; Lowry, quick-eyed and deft-handed, passed him the ball. Budinger caught and shot—it went in.

The Warriors attacked. Curry and Lin Fei alternated in bringing the ball up the court. Yao Ming hadn’t settled into position yet, and the Warriors’ players also lacked good spots, but Lin Fei and Curry had some space. Lin Fei passed to Curry, signaling him to shoot. Curry hesitated briefly, then fired—a three-pointer, good, in just eight seconds. Lin Fei and Curry high-fived in celebration.

Often, Lin Fei could force a three even with a defender on him, but he trusted his teammates. Just as with the previous play, Lin Fei knew that when he held the ball, the opponent would throw caution to the wind and rush him. No matter how confident he was, after the shot, he couldn’t be sure his attempt wouldn’t be disrupted—because in the NBA, facing players with freakish athleticism, your shot could be snatched away at any moment.

The Rockets were no pushovers. While Curry and Lin Fei celebrated their play, Lowry had already received the ball and pushed quickly up the court. Lowry barreled forward into the frontcourt; Curry defended him. Lowry wasn’t the fastest, but his skill was superb. By now, Yao Ming had established his position. Claudson still tried to front him, but the Warriors’ defense hadn’t set up. Lowry drove straight to the basket. Yao Ming, facing the hoop with the defender fronting him, found Claudson behind him. Lowry bounced the ball to Yao, who caught it and dunked effortlessly. Seeing the Warriors’ defense so thin, one could only say their defense was paper-thin. Yet the Rockets’ offense was astonishing: the play was meant for an outside shot, but they found Yao Ming at the right moment, demonstrating impressive flexibility.

The Rockets’ high offensive efficiency forced the Warriors to cherish every possession—there was no room for carelessness.

The Warriors kept their fast pace. Jobs and Exes noticeably sped up, because without strong inside support, it’s hard for the perimeter to create opportunities. If not for the earlier coordination between Lin Fei and Curry, that three might never have happened. Lin Fei, ball in hand, broke past the Rockets’ three-point line; Curry advanced alongside him, while Jobs and Exes lagged slightly behind. Lin Fei passed laterally to Curry, who had three options: pass back to Lin Fei for a step-back jumper, give it to Jobs who was tall and could charge inside for a dunk, or pass to Exes, who was in a favorable position to either step back and shoot, drive in for a layup, or dunk. The clock didn’t allow for indecision; Curry passed behind his back. Both Exes and Jobs were in position, but Exes moved quickest, grabbed the ball, and soared for a slam dunk.

Experts marvelled—the Warriors’ offense was truly unleashed, with three options on a single possession. It was unimaginable, all thanks to the Warriors’ flexible and rapid tactics. Nelson was indeed an offensive genius.

Neither team dared relax for a moment. Both sought to seize the momentum and finish off their opponent, but the battle went back and forth; neither could knock the other down.

With 30 seconds left, the score was tied at 130:130.

Yao Ming’s performance was remarkably efficient—nearly 25 minutes on the court, and he had scored an astonishing 28 points, wreaking havoc in the Warriors’ paint. The Warriors relied more on collective effort, their scoring distributed evenly. Lin Fei, in particular, had fewer opportunities this game.

Lin Fei held the ball. This could be the Warriors’ final possession; they had to use up the full 24 seconds. Whether or not they succeeded, the 24 seconds had to be exhausted.

No one in the league dared ignore Lin Fei’s deep-range shooting, so Lowry guarded him closely. But Lin Fei stayed calm, surveying the court as precious seconds ticked away. It seemed likely he would take the final shot.

With ten seconds left, Lin Fei dribbled low. Lowry focused intensely, sticking to him. That closeness—Lin Fei suddenly accelerated, blowing past Lowry. Martin came to help. Perhaps Lin Fei should have passed to Curry, but he didn’t. He watched the clock—two seconds remained. Facing Martin, Lin Fei spun, stepped back. Despite Martin being nearly twenty centimeters taller, Lin Fei jumped and shot—a three-pointer!

It went in! It went in! Three points!

But the referee signaled for two. Reviewing the replay, Lin Fei’s toe just grazed the three-point line. Still, it was good! The Warriors led by two, and now the Rockets had the last chance at a game-winner. Hearts raced—six seconds left.

The Rockets didn’t have many clutch players. Lowry and Martin might shine, but weren’t so reliable. Yao Ming was unlikely; he had never delivered a game-winner.

The Warriors pressed full court. Lowry brought the ball quickly to the frontcourt. Yao Ming was already waiting. Two seconds remained. Lowry passed to Yao, who caught it—no time to think—dribbled once, turned left, and launched a fadeaway. Claudson wasn’t about to let Yao Ming score easily; he lunged. As his hand reached for Yao, he sensed trouble—a foul was likely. Yao Ming’s height made it impossible to reach the ball, only his arm. Usually in the closing seconds, referees hesitate to blow the whistle, but Yao Ming still threw up the shot. The whistle sounded—not good—a foul, and the most agonizing detail: just 0.2 seconds left! The ball dropped through the net—an and-one! Claudson clutched his head in frustration, outplayed by Yao Ming.

Yao Ming was the best free-throw shooter among big men in the league. If he made this, it would be a game-winner.

Yao Ming grinned, stepped to the line, and calmly sank the free throw. Teammates swarmed around him—it was Yao Ming’s first career game-winner! With only 0.2 seconds remaining, it was merely a formality; the Warriors had no chance.

Rockets fans began to sing the Song of Yao—it hadn’t been heard in a long time, not since Yao Ming’s injury. Yao Ming was jubilant; the veteran embraced Lin Fei, saying, “Good kid, keep working hard.” Yao encouraged Lin Fei, and Lin Fei truly didn’t know how to feel.

He had grown up idolizing Yao Ming, but now belonged to the Warriors. In the past, he would have celebrated Yao Ming’s game-winner for ages, but he never thought the victim would be himself.

“Keep working hard!” In this Chinese derby, the veteran Yao Ming had the last laugh, but Lin Fei too showed joy, despite a tinge of disappointment.