Chapter 34: Point Center Embiid ?

The first quarter ended with the 76ers mounting a comeback, led by their standout sixth man, Saric, who drained three consecutive three-pointers to erase the Warriors' lead.

Score: 31–31. The game was back to square one.

The Sixers were proving why they were considered the top contenders this season, boasting one of the league's strongest starting lineups and exceptional bench depth.

As the second quarter began, Kerr made a tactical shift, subbing Curry and Tang Lei back in for Thompson and Green. The Warriors went small, opting for a lineup without a traditional center. This approach came with its own risks and rewards: while it increased their pace and offensive rhythm, it also left them vulnerable against Embiid, a powerhouse capable of dominating in the paint.

Warriors' possession. Curry brought the ball up, and across from him, Butler once again locked in on Tang Lei. After the first quarter, the Sixers had quickly adjusted, assigning Butler to cover Tang—a move that had stifled Tang's scoring.

This time, though, Tang didn't wait for the ball on the perimeter. Instead, he dashed into the paint, weaving through the 76ers' players, his eyes set on shaking off Butler. With Butler not used to guarding a constantly moving target, it wasn't long before he lost Tang.

The ball found its way to Curry, who wasted no time delivering it to Tang. Saric scrambled to contest, but he was a step too late. Tang gathered, lifted, and let the shot fly.

Swish!

Score: 34–31. Warriors back in the lead.

But Saric, ever the reliable weapon, responded quickly, sinking a three-pointer of his own to tie the game once again.

Curry tried to respond with a pull-up, but luck wasn't on his side this time. The ball bounced around the rim before dropping out, and with Embiid stationed under the basket, a second-chance rebound was out of the question.

On the other end, Embiid took full advantage of the Warriors' small lineup, muscling his way past Iguodala for an easy layup, giving the Sixers a 34–36 lead.

This, of course, was the primary risk of the Warriors' strategy—their lack of a big man left them vulnerable to Embiid's physical dominance inside. However, with only a two-point difference, Kerr wasn't too concerned. In today's high-tempo, three-point-driven game, a two-point lead was nothing. Even double-digit deficits had become manageable.

Back on offense, Curry maintained his composure, gesturing for Tang to initiate his movement off the ball. This time, Butler was ready, knowing Tang would try to leverage his teammates for screens. He maneuvered around his teammates in an attempt to stay with Tang, but navigating the crowded paint proved challenging.

Finally, Tang emerged free of Butler's shadow and received a hand-off from Curry, who used his body to momentarily shield Simmons from switching. The moment Tang caught the ball, he took off.

Butler arrived a bit too late, lunging desperately to contest Tang's shot. The ball had already left Tang's fingertips.

The whistle blew just as the ball swished through the net.

A perfect 3+1 play.

"Yes!" Tang clenched his fist, celebrating as Curry, Livingston, and the rest of the team swarmed him in support.

The crowd erupted, their voices filling the arena, as they witnessed Tang's breakthrough. Tang had figured out a way to shake Butler's defense, and the fans could sense it.

It was, ironically, Embiid's presence that had created the cracks in the Sixers' defense. While he was a force offensively, his positioning provided Tang with multiple routes to evade Butler's coverage. Embiid's strengths were also his team's vulnerability.

Tang headed to the free-throw line to complete the four-point play. As he sank the shot, the scoreboard shifted once more:

Score: 38–36.