But just then, Su Xi stopped on a dime and faked a backward pass.

Prince immediately bit on the fake, and Hamilton instinctively drifted toward the center line. But Su Xi held onto the ball. Instead, with a flick of his wrist, he whipped it in the opposite direction, sending it to the left wing at a 45-degree angle.

Artest received the ball. After a brief adjustment, he jumped and shot... His form was a bit stiff, like a catapult.

But... SWISH!

It went in.

The Pacers broke their scoring drought. Su Xi’s presence on the court had an immediate impact.

"This kid’s surprisingly good at running the pick-and-roll."

Larry Brown muttered on the sideline.

Ever since Su Xi had received that super talent from Isaiah Thomas, his execution of the pick-and-roll had truly reached a new level.

On the other end of the court, Billups was also running a pick-and-roll.

Ben Wallace set a screen for him at the high post. Billups drove hard into the paint, and Little O’Neal switched onto him.

Meanwhile, Ben Wallace rolled toward the basket as planned... very few point guards could stop him.

But Su Xi got tangled up with him. He gave Wallace a bump first, slowing his charge.

When Wallace tried to force his way into the paint, Su Xi gritted his teeth and bodied him up, preventing him from getting open for a pass from Billups.

Little O’Neal had Billups tied up, and Ron Artest quickly collapsed on him. Billups was completely locked down.

He hugged the ball and pivoted a couple of times, finding no opening. He opted to jump to make a pass, but just as the ball left his hands, Su Xi darted out, leaped, and snatched it from the air.

"Fast break!"

Su Xi yelled, and Alan Henderson immediately sprinted downcourt. After dribbling past the three-point line, Su Xi launched a long pass to him.

Henderson caught the ball and drove to the hoop. Prince rushed in to foul him but couldn’t stop the shot. The ball went in, and it was an and-one!

In two straight possessions since entering the game, Su Xi had created crucial plays. The Pistons’ established defense was shattered.

The Pacers looked completely revitalized, like a tiger that had just grown wings.

Larry Brown frowned. Su Xi had shattered his game plan. He was at a bit of a loss, unable to find a player who could completely contain Su Xi. Besides, if he expended too much energy trying to limit him, other players on the Pacers would just emerge to score.

’What a headache!’

"Why didn’t you use more force when you boxed me out just now?" Su Xi taunted Ben Wallace. "Everyone says you’re incredibly strong, but I didn’t feel a thing."

They were standing on the same side of the free-throw lane.

Ben Wallace absolutely despised Su Xi. He looked like he wanted to eat him alive.

"Next time, please try a little harder..." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Su Xi hadn’t even finished his sentence.

As Henderson shot the free throw, Ben Wallace slammed into Su Xi with vicious force. He channeled the full power of his past as a five-star football prospect, holding nothing back!

THUMP!

The moment he was hit, Su Xi felt his insides roil, and his body was knocked into the air. ’Damn, he really is inhumanly strong.’

However, a moment later, he was overjoyed. ’My Super Strength talent just went from 95 to 96.’

That was unheard of for a point guard.

If he were a bit bulkier, he might even be able to battle for low-post position in the paint.

Su Xi steadied himself.

He let out a long, slow breath.

’So satisfying!’

He turned to "greet" Ben Wallace. "Is that all the strength you have? Who taught you to box out, your grandma? I’m disappointed."

Su Xi shook his head and jogged back up the court.

Behind him, Ben Wallace’s chest swelled with rage. He gritted his teeth. ’Damn it, I’m gonna knock you dead sooner or later!’

Nearby, Artest was dumbfounded. ’Is this guy Jack trash-talking with his life on the line? He just got knocked off his feet, and he’s still at it? What a badass! Truly worthy of the man who put my dad in the hospital with a single punch.’

The game continued.

The Pistons’ offensive efficiency returned to normal, but thanks to Su Xi’s explosive performance, the Pacers not only erased the deficit but also built a lead.

Su Xi played until 2:15 remained in the second quarter before being subbed out for a rest.

When he came off the court, the Pacers held a 6-point lead.

"See you in the second half, little fly."

As Su Xi walked off the court, he made sure to wave at Ben Wallace.

This made Ben Wallace snort like a bull and fly into a thunderous rage.

The two of them were now in a full-blown rivalry tonight.

If the rules allowed it, Wallace would have started an all-out brawl with Su Xi.

At this point, Su Xi’s stat line was 7 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block.

His efficiency rating was the highest in the game. He was completely unrestrained, weaving through the Pistons’ vaunted defense as if he were taking a leisurely stroll.

The Pistons had absolutely no answer for him.

Kenny Smith could only stomp his feet in frustration, repeatedly insisting, "Just you wait! Just you wait! Everything will change after halftime comes!"

...

...

P.S. I originally wanted to finish this game in one Chapter, but there was a lot of exposition and setup, so I couldn’t. The next Chapter is where the action will really heat up! Thanks for all the monthly tickets, everyone. They’re a huge help. Hua Zi wishes everyone a Happy New Year!