Chapter 108: All Eyes on Warriors! A Record 34-Game Winning Streak?
The evening arrived, and Oracle Arena was packed to the brim! Inside, fans filled every seat, and outside, crowds of supporters gathered to cheer on their team. In the U.S., the atmosphere around significant games is often electric. Many fans who couldn't get tickets came to the arena to be part of the communal excitement, relishing the unity in supporting their team, much like those who'd rather game in a crowded internet cafe with friends than play alone at home.
The whole stadium roared with energy as the Warriors' lineup took the court. The team prepared for this match like a playoff game, gifting every fan a blue T-shirt to create a sea of blue in the stands. Tang Lei, who had seen this effect on TV in his past life, was overwhelmed by experiencing it firsthand—it was a sight to behold, a stadium painted entirely in blue.
The grand entrance ceremony went on, hyping up fans to their peak, and finally, the two teams were ready to begin. The Warriors' starting lineup featured Curry, Durant, Tang Lei, Green, and Cousins, while the Kings fielded Hield, Fox, Bagley, Bjelica, and Stein. Tang Lei was particularly familiar with three of these players: Buddy Hield, De'Aaron Fox, and Marvin Bagley. As high draft picks, they represented the Kings' hopes for a brighter future. But despite the Kings' young core and hunger, they were still two tiers below the defending champions.
The opening tip-off, unexpectedly, went to the Warriors, as Green managed to win the jump ball. Curry wasted no time bringing the ball up, using a screen from Green to sink a confident three-pointer. 3-0, Warriors. The crowd erupted. When Hield missed a return shot, the Warriors quickly capitalized, with Curry drilling another three-pointer to make it 6-0.
Seizing an opportunity on defense, Tang Lei anticipated a pass intended for Stein, intercepting it and igniting a fast break that ended with Curry converting an and-one layup. The arena's roar grew to a fever pitch as the Warriors surged to a 9-0 lead, forcing Kings' coach Dave Joerger to call an early timeout.
In the huddle, Joerger could see the nervousness in his players, the pressure of the Warriors' home crowd weighing on their minds. He wasted no time in rallying them. "Guys, don't be afraid of making mistakes. This is just another game. Remember, people expect us to lose this. But we're here to show them we're not a weak team. Prove them wrong. Let's go!"
The timeout brought some calm to the Kings. Curry converted his free throw, pushing the lead to 9-0, but soon after, the Kings found their footing. Hield, Fox, and Bagley came together to mount a furious 15-4 run, stunning the Warriors and pushing the score to 13-15, giving the Kings a two-point lead.
Seeing the momentum shift, Warriors coach Steve Kerr called a timeout. Tang Lei watched the Kings trio closely, impressed by Fox's sudden burst of energy and composure. He knew these players were no ordinary talents—they were young, sure, but capable of greatness when pushed to their limit.
Kerr's message in the huddle was direct. "Don't let up on defense, and don't underestimate them. We need to lock in." The Warriors returned to the court with renewed intensity. Tang Lei responded with a deep three-pointer, shifting the lead back to the Warriors, 16-15. But the Kings didn't back down; they kept clawing back, staying within striking distance, even slightly outpacing the Warriors' bench.
By the end of the first quarter, the Kings led the Warriors 30-28. Early in the second quarter, the Kings' bench managed to hold onto a narrow lead until the Warriors' starters returned, pushing the Warriors back ahead. At halftime, the Warriors were up 57-49, a hard-fought eight-point lead.
During halftime, the Warriors' cheerleaders took the court, and fans in the Tencent livestream chat flooded the screen with comments:
"Lei King is taking it easy tonight. Could it be that all those endorsements took away his motivation?"
"Haha, he's just raking in the money. But don't worry, it's Lei King—he'll come through in the clutch."
"Even without Thompson, the Kings are giving us a run for our money. It's impressive."
"We just need to hang on and win this one. That's all we need to break the record!"
After halftime, both teams returned to the court. Surprisingly, the Warriors' infamous "Third Quarter Run" didn't materialize. Instead, the Kings rallied again, cutting the Warriors' lead down to just two points by the end of the third quarter, 88-86.
Anxiety rippled through the crowd. Watching a team struggle against an underdog always feels precarious, and when a game is this close, an unexpected surge from the opposing team can often lead to disaster.
As the final quarter began, the tension in the arena was palpable. Fans, commentators, and viewers from around the world held their breath. Would the Warriors close out this 34th straight victory and etch their names in NBA history?
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