Chapter 782: Chapter 782

After the timeout, James Team made an adjustment, with Antony substituting Green for Irving.

At this point, James Team’s lineup on the court: Curry, Durant, James, Green, Antetokounmpo.

To be honest, if James were swapped with George, this lineup for James Team would have space, speed, and impact, making it quite competitive.

But after all, the All-Star Game is an entertainment event. Antony couldn’t afford to sour relations with James in such a setting, as James is the captain of James Team.

However, after the timeout, James Team adjusted their offensive focus.

James still held the ball, but everyone else was working hard to create off-ball opportunities for Curry and Durant with screens.

On Durant’s side, Hansen was closely defending him, so Durant didn’t manage to run into a scoring opportunity, but on Curry’s side, Harden was blocked by continuous screens.

As Curry ran into a shooting position, the ball was already spiraling towards him.

James, after all, had been a teammate of Curry’s, and during his time on the Warriors, he often fed the ball to Curry.

Curry received the ball half a meter away from the three-point line, made no adjustments, and took the shot before Davis could leap to defend.

Curry’s three-pointer was a clean hit.

The bench for James Team erupted in excitement,

James Team, when it comes to crucial moments, Curry is the one to rely on!

With 5 minutes and 58 seconds left in the game, the score was tied.

Turning back, James Team continued to defend Hansen tightly, with Hansen signaling Harden to continue going for pick-and-rolls.

This time Jokic popped out after setting a screen, while Harden used the pick-and-roll to speedily drive inside.

Harden, who trains others every day in Rockets, is adept at exploiting mismatches. Even Antetokounmpo couldn’t stop him.

At this point, James Team had to shrink their defense.

And just then, Hansen ran through the screen set by Davis, ending up at the right 45-degree angle for a three-pointer.

Harden raised his hand during his advance and flung the ball out.

This wasn’t a pre-rehearsed tactic, but it’s the tactic Harden is most familiar with.

Under Antony’s coaching this season, the Rockets have focused heavily on "Magic Ball," which emphasizes breakthrough and three-pointers, based on the run-and-gun strategy, prioritizing extreme offensive efficiency.

Hence, he could immediately seize any three-point chance on the perimeter.

Hansen, catching the ball for a three-pointer, didn’t hesitate at all and took the shot.

The Quicken Loans Arena instantly burst into excitement.

They were absolutely right in their short-lived perception—the formidable firepower of this ultimate version of the Cavaliers is simply uncontainable!

This time Harden slapped hands with Hansen during the defense switch.

Besides Hansen and Jokic, the other three players on this team hadn’t played together before, yet they developed strong chemistry.

However, turning back again, it was Curry, who this time changed his position, and after receiving the ball, dodged Davis’ block, stepped back to a spot a meter from the three-point line and threw it directly. For more chapters visıt 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹~𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮~𝚗𝚎𝚝

The basketball whizzed through the air like a cannonball and straight into the net.

On the brink of collapse for James Team, Curry stepped up, continuing with successive three-pointers to keep them alive!

After the shot, Curry appeared quite excited and showed off his classic shoulder-shimmy celebration during the defensive retreat.

Seeing this, Hansen couldn’t help but recall the scene from the Paris Olympics finals in his mind.

Curry, truly a reliable teammate!

Harden continued with a pick-and-roll with Jokic, and this time his breakthrough attracted a double team from James Team, and he flicked the ball to Jokic who popped outside.

Jokic raised his hand for a shooting motion, but the next second he passed the ball directly to the right side.

Hansen had just gotten rid of Durant through a cut, and Jokic’s pass arrived right in front of him.

Compared to others, these two, having played together for three seasons, truly had impeccable chemistry.

At this moment, James went for basket help defense, stopping Hansen from shooting by fouling him right after his jump.

Hansen lined up for the free throw.

Before the referee handed him the ball, he turned to James: "Played nicely."

James, aware of Hansen’s cunning, did not react, but the others on both sides of the free-throw line looked at Hansen in surprise.

And amidst their astonishment, Hansen continued: "Leave the game to Stephen, just as you did with the Warriors, that’s the kind of game that brings some fun."

When Hansen finished speaking, everyone’s expression changed from surprise to understanding.

Praising you because you made me enjoy the game experience, that’s undeniably Hansen’s way of speaking.

James still couldn’t help puffing up his cheeks.

Even knowing Hansen’s tease, Hansen always managed to say things that provoked a desire to punch him.

Hansen confidently made both free throws, helping Hansen Team maintain their lead.

In the defensive retreat, Hansen also turned and signaled to Harden and Thompson.

Once James Team advanced to the front court, Hansen Team made a substitution, having Thompson defend Curry.

This adjustment was very effective.

While Thompson was similar to Harden in lacking excellent lateral movement ability, his advantage over Harden was that his ability to navigate screens was stronger and he was Curry’s backcourt partner.

No one knows Curry’s offensive habits better than Thompson, which isn’t just about Curry’s favorite spot but even the pre-move of Curry’s cut.

Although this restricted Curry, a new problem arose: with Thompson defending Curry, it meant Harden had to defend James.