Taking a Break.

On the night of the game, the TD Garden in Boston was packed to capacity.

When Han Sen emerged from the player tunnel, he looked up to see the championship banners hanging from the ceiling.

The Celtics hold the most NBA championships, with 17- two more than the Lakers.

Bill Russell alone contributed 11 of those, including an unprecedented eight consecutive championships.

Although there were fewer NBA teams during that era and the championship's prestige wasn't as high, it still demonstrated Russell's dominance during his time.

Han Sen disdainfully withdrew his gaze.

A city so rife with racial discrimination maintained its NBA influence thanks to a Black man — how ironic!

Then, his attention was drawn to some signs in the stands.

"F*ck LBJ"

"Clown 77"

"KYS 77"

There were even more mocking signs directed at him than at LeBron James, leaving Han Sen unsure whether to feel happy or angry.

It was obviously related to the incident where he cursed at that white guy yesterday, which had gained him a lot of haters.

Meanwhile, at the commentary table, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith were already in position.

Although it was a regular season game, every clash between Eastern Conference powerhouses attracted media and fan attention.

While the players were still warming up on the court, the commentators were also warming up the audience.

The topic that always generated the best buzz was, of course, "Who do you think will win tonight?"

Smith favored the Celtics, for a simple reason: momentum.

Since Rajon Rondo's rise, the Celtics now looked like a four-star team.

Rasheed Wallace's role had been underestimated; he filled the Celtics' biggest gap, that of the sixth man.

As a result, they had just achieved an 11-game winning streak, the longest in the league last month!

"I'm rooting for the Cavaliers because they've put Han in the starting lineup tonight."

Barkley, on the other hand, favored the Cavaliers, for a reason that sounded absurd.

You could say Barkley had high hopes for Han Sen, or that he simply understood what draws viewership.

After all, everyone knew that in a contest of this level, a rookie's impact would be minimal.

Han Sen couldn't hear what the two commentators were saying, but he could feel his "hater points" counter in the system ticking up rapidly.

In hindsight, he should have made a stop in Boston during his draft workouts.

After the warm-ups, the pre-game ceremonies began, and both teams' starting lineups were announced.

For the Cavaliers: Mo Williams, Han Sen, LeBron James, Cunningham, and Shaquille O'Neal;

For the Celtics: Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Kendrick Perkins.

The Cavaliers opened by running two plays for O'Neal, but they weren't very effective.

Perkins was a highly underrated low-post defender. His value on defense couldn't be captured by stats alone, even if his numbers seemed average.

After that, LeBron James started driving to the basket, but with little success.

The Celtics were one of the best defensive teams in the league — so much so that their defense against James could almost be considered the best.

Pierce guarded the perimeter at the three-point line, Garnett covered the paint with his help defense, and Perkins locked down the interior, forming a real "trinity."

After half a quarter, the Cavaliers trailed 10-15.

In those seven minutes, Han Sen had two shot opportunities, not bad for a role player, but both were desperation heaves as the shot clock was winding down.

Aside from the two forced attempts by O'Neal at the start, the ball mostly stayed in LeBron's hands on offense. LeBron either didn't pass it or passed it off just in time to avoid a mistake.

Pierce was entirely focused on defending James during this stretch, so Han Sen didn't have much chance to shine defensively either.

Han Sen finally understood why James had put him back in the starting lineup.

The media had been questioning why Han Sen's minutes were reduced, so LeBron let him start. If Han performed well, it would be his skill; if not, it would be seen as his shortcoming.

Not all fans watch games live; those who don't will look at the box score afterward and conclude that Han Sen played terribly.

After that, the Cavaliers could return to using Han Sen sparingly.

What a brilliant yet obvious plan! LeBron shouldn't be playing basketball — he should go into business!

Rondo drove to the basket, drawing a defensive foul from O'Neal, and coach Mike Brown substituted Zydrunas Ilgauskas for O'Neal.

"Ray, let's switch," Pierce called out to Ray Allen from the free-throw line.

Ray Allen looked puzzled.

Pierce smiled and added, "I need a break."

Guarding LeBron was exhausting, so switching onto Han Sen would give Pierce a chance to rest.

When Han Sen heard this, it felt like something exploded in his chest.

All the frustration he had been holding onto since the day before, from understanding LeBron's plan to Pierce's blatant taunting, finally boiled over!

With the score at 10-17, Rondo sank both free throws, and the Celtics led by seven.

In a battle between two defensive powerhouses, a seven-point lead was a significant advantage.

As the Cavaliers prepared their next offensive play, Han Sen set a pick for Cunningham.

The Celtics' defense was focused on James, and since Pierce was "resting," Han Sen found himself wide open.

However, Mo Williams didn't pass the ball and instead looked to give it to LeBron again.

At that moment, something unexpected happened. Han Sen yelled at Williams:

"Give me the damn ball!"

Williams was stunned. He had never seen Han Sen so furious, especially with an expression that seemed like he would beat him up if he didn't pass the ball.

Intimidated by Han Sen's sheer force, Williams instinctively passed the ball.

By then, Pierce had already navigated Cunningham's screen and was in front of Han Sen.

Cunningham wanted to set another pick, but Han Sen waved him off.

Pierce grinned and called back to Garnett, "Kevin, no need for help defense."

The Cavaliers' decision to start Han Sen had been known since yesterday, and Celtics coach Doc Rivers had emphasized Han Sen's scouting report during today's video analysis: 3-and-D player, limited at driving, negligible threat when handling the ball.

Han Sen's angry display clearly showed Pierce had managed to provoke him, and now he wanted to prove himself.

No handles, a rookie — opportunities to school someone like this didn't come often.

But just as Pierce turned back to face him, he saw a blur as Han Sen blew past him.

When Pierce turned around, Han Sen had completely beaten him off the dribble.

Garnett's help defense was a split-second late because of Pierce's request, and Perkins had been pulled out of the paint by Ilgauskas. Han Sen drove inside and easily scored the layup.

"LeBron told me your defense was like toilet paper, and he wasn't wrong!"

After making the shot, Han Sen turned to Pierce and sneered at him.

Pierce: ?

LeBron: ??

Pierce was livid. After glaring fiercely at LeBron, he turned his fiery gaze to Han Sen.

A rookie dared to trash-talk me?

Doesn't he know I'm the king of trash talk?!

On the next possession, Pierce called for an isolation play, backing Han Sen down for the ball.

Rondo quickly passed it to him, and everyone had seen Han Sen's cocky attitude earlier.

As Pierce received the ball, he turned and said:

"Junior, you'll regret what you said. You'll soon learn what 'The Truth' really means."

"Less talking, more action!"

Han Sen cut him off and pressed up on him.

Pierce immediately attempted a drive and then stepped back for a jump shot.

During the move, he used his left hand to clearly push off.

It was similar to Jordan's "last shot," adding a little extra push when unable to shake the defender.

But there was no whistle. Rookies don't get calls when facing All-Stars.

However, Pierce's expression changed mid-shot.

He couldn't budge Han Sen, and Han Sen, like a predator, was closing in on him.

The step-back hadn't created enough space for a clean look.

At this angle, he was going to get blocked!

Pierce had to launch the shot higher than usual, just avoiding Han Sen's outstretched hand.

But after tracing a high arc, the ball fell short — it was an airball!

Han Sen's defensive pressure had been too intense!

In fact, he himself might not have realized that his [Phantom Steps] had enhanced his defensive skills as well.

After glancing back, Han Sen turned to shout at Rivers on the sidelines:

"He looks tired! Are you sure you don't want to sub him out for a 'break'?"