Chapter 117: Duel of the Stars, a Spectacular Show, Preparing for the Playoffs
At halftime, the score settled at 58:44. After trailing by 11 points in the first quarter, the Warriors had lost another 3 points in the second quarter. But given the circumstances, this wasn't unexpected—missing a top 3-and-D player and resting two core starters, the Warriors' lineup was severely undermanned. If the Celtics couldn't secure a win even now, their comeback aspirations might as well be put to rest.
As the second half began, Durant entered full "Reaper" mode, igniting a 15-5 run and cutting the deficit to just four points, 63:59. This wave of offense forced the Celtics to call a timeout, and Tang Lei recorded three more assists, bringing his assist tally to double digits.
Returning from the timeout, the Celtics adjusted their lineup, assigning Marcus Morris to guard Durant and making Tatum the primary scorer. The change paid off. Although Durant's offensive firepower continued, Tatum, now freed from defensive pressure, launched an offensive of his own. The third quarter became an electrifying duel between Tatum and Durant, stirring the crowd into a frenzy.
Durant racked up 20 points, while Tatum answered with 16.
As the quarter ended, the Celtics held a narrow lead of 88:82.
But in the fourth quarter, as Durant's stamina waned, his shooting efficiency dropped noticeably. At this point, Tang Lei knew he needed to step up.
Facing Irving's intense defense, Tang Lei faked a pass and drove into the paint, finishing with a powerful dunk. Not to be outdone, Irving answered with an acrobatic layup.
Tang Lei hit a three, and Irving responded with a gritty and-one. Tang Lei delivered a lob to a teammate for an alley-oop, and Irving came right back with a dunk of his own.
If the third quarter had been Tatum and Durant's shootout, the fourth was entirely about Tang Lei and Irving, their duel reaching new heights. While Tatum and Durant's battle had largely been about shooting, Tang Lei and Irving showcased a more complete game—silky dribbling, daring passes, and fearless drives to the basket—each move sparking cheers from the crowd.
Ultimately, despite Tang Lei's all-around brilliance, the Warriors couldn't prevent the loss. As Tang Lei excelled, so did the entire Celtics team, especially Irving and Tatum, both scoring over 30 points. Even so, the Celtics only won by 8 points. If either Curry or Green had been in the lineup, it's likely the Warriors would have taken this game.
Still, the Warriors' goal was clear: develop their younger players. And in this game, beyond the rough start in the first quarter, the bench performed admirably, benefiting from Tang Lei's leadership and pinpoint passing.
The game's intensity and competitiveness exceeded everyone's expectations. As the Warriors' point guard, Tang Lei's 18 points and 15 assists left a lasting impression on the crowd—and earned Irving's admiration. After the game, Irving approached Tang Lei to exchange jerseys in a show of respect. Tang Lei was surprised but accepted. Irving, a phenomenal guard, has an immense fan base worldwide, including in China, where fans regard him as an icon.
Some young fans save up for months, even skipping meals, just to buy his shoes. But having experienced the future, Tang Lei found himself perplexed by some of Irving's choices, such as refusing to take the vaccine and playing part-time with the Nets. Durant's relentless effort to carry the team even led to injury. Because of this, Harden eventually left the team, and the "Big Three" played just a handful of games together over two years—a missed opportunity that left fans disappointed.
Tang Lei shook these thoughts aside. Ultimately, it's Irving's life, and it wasn't his place to intervene in someone else's beliefs.
Back in the locker room, the Warriors weren't visibly dejected by the loss. Instead, they looked relieved, exhaling as though a weight had been lifted. The end of their winning streak actually seemed to take off some of the pressure. With the league's second-best record, their playoff spot was secure. Taking this time to rest, develop young talent, and experiment was the best way to prepare for the playoffs.