"Looks like this guy really pissed you off. You're usually so calm."
James patted Tang Long on the shoulder. "Calm down, sweep them 4-0."
"Right."
Larry Hughes walked over as well. "We're not sitting out this one. We'll teach them how to behave."
Pavelich and Drew Gooden were also indignant. Tang Long was their second-in-command, and he often assisted them. Moreover, he had good rapport with everyone off the court.
"Okay, let's get him."
The five Cavaliers players were fired up, as if injected with adrenaline. Even James, who usually didn't participate much in defense, was being extremely focused now.
After Lewis drove to the basket, James didn't just watch from the sidelines; he chased him down and slammed the ball against the backboard. This block sent the entire crowd to their feet in a roar.
Immediately after, the Cavaliers launched an attack. Tang Long took off from the free-throw line and delivered another spectacular tomahawk dunk. The Cavaliers played with incredible momentum in the third quarter, their ferocious spirit demoralizing the Magic players. Even Howard dared not provoke Tang Long anymore.
"It's all Gortat's fault for provoking that Tang guy for no reason."
Teletovic had a clearer perspective. This was already a series for advancement, and the tension would have been high even without the incident. The priority now was to stabilize the game and prevent the Cavaliers from scoring so easily.
"Lewis, you draw Tang Long's attention. Howard, we'll keep playing inside."
Teletovic's strategy wasn't wrong in principle. Compared to the uncertainty of outside shots, scoring in the paint was easier. If they could maintain a steady pace, the Magic would have a chance when the Cavaliers tired.
However, Teletovic clearly underestimated the Cavaliers' current defensive resilience. They gave Lewis no space to drive. When James guarded Lewis, the latter found it difficult to find any room for an easy penetration. Even if he managed to drive in, facing Tang Long's interior defense, the Magic players had few scoring opportunities.
By the end of the third quarter, the Cavaliers held a seven-point lead over the Magic.
"Well done."
During the break, Mike Brown didn't forget to encourage his players. "If we keep playing like this, victory will be ours soon."
"Coach, we're not resting in the fourth quarter. We have to crush them," James said earnestly to Mike Brown.
"No rest?" Mike Brown mumbled. After a moment's hesitation, he agreed. While a coach's authority was important, sometimes it was necessary to respect the players for a harmonious relationship.
When the Cavaliers' starting five appeared on the court for the fourth quarter, Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy was clearly not expecting them to still be out there. At the start of the fourth, the Magic only had Maurice Evans and Keith Bogans on the court, with Gortat still at center.
Seeing Gortat, Tang Long directly raised his middle finger.
*BEEP.*
The referee's whistle blew, and Tang Long received a technical foul. He was also given an additional free throw.
"Sorry."
"No need to apologize, we support you."
The Cavaliers players came over and put their arms around Tang Long's shoulders, which moved him deeply. Gortat stepped up to shoot the free throw.
In the broadcast room in Longguo, the commentators exchanged bewildered glances. Tang Long's gesture was extremely hostile, especially with the narrow score difference. His actions clearly gave the opponent a chance to catch up.
"I wonder what Gortat did to make Tang Long so angry. There must be a reason, otherwise Tang Long wouldn't have done something like this," Yang Yi said, still siding with Tang Long.
"There must be a reason. They had words before. We'll have to wait for the post-game interviews to see what both sides say," Director Zhang made his judgment quickly, maintaining objectivity as a commentator.
Commentators couldn't be too biased on air, as they couldn't stir up trouble on television. However, the fans in Longguo were unhappy. Especially the haters, who finally seemed to have found an opportunity to attack Tang Long, and all of them jumped out.
"This is so bad for his public image. He's only achieved a little and he's already so arrogant. How will this make us Longguo players look? It's a disgrace to our country."
"Making that kind of gesture on the court, Tang Long has gotten too carried away."
"Gortat comes from a boxing family. Isn't Tang Long afraid of being beaten to death? It's just that Gortat has a good temper; if it were Artest, he would have already dealt with him."
Countless haters emerged on forums and message boards, attacking Tang Long. It wasn't about foreign moons being rounder anymore; they were like white lotuses, criticizing Tang Long from the perspective of the United States.
The Cavaliers' fans and Tang Long's supporters naturally wouldn't stand idly by. The two sides engaged in a fierce battle on forums and message boards, with countless posts generated in a short period. Meanwhile, the two free throws were completed, and the Magic launched another offensive.
Perhaps because Gortat had already picked up two fouls, Van Gundy didn't make any immediate lineup adjustments, planning to observe further. Maurice Evans dribbled the ball past half-court and prepared to pass it to Keith Bogans at the top of the arc. Just as he was about to pass, he saw Larry Hughes's hand reaching out. He immediately pulled his arm back. After a moment's hesitation, he passed to Gortat, who had driven to the baseline. Gortat, who should have passed the ball at this point, inexplicably gained confidence and decided to drive to the basket.
Tang Long certainly wouldn't give him the chance. Gortat drove hard against Tang Long, but finding Tang Long unmoving, he became enraged. Time ticked by, and twenty seconds passed in the blink of an eye. Gortat had no choice but to attempt a jump shot.
*SWISH.*
As Gortat took his jump shot, Tang Long entered his zone state and swatted the ball away.
"With me here, you won't score a single point."
Daring to disrespect Longguo had touched a nerve with every person from Longguo. Dragons have scales, and those who dare to touch them must be prepared for destruction.
Gortat's eyes blazed, and he pushed towards Tang Long. Ever since the Malice at the Palace, the league had imposed very strict penalties for player fights. Therefore, Gortat didn't throw a punch but only used his chest to shove Tang Long.
Where paths cross, the brave win. Facing a provocateur, Tang Long naturally had to strike back. At this moment, Tang Long's zone state shifted. He heard a pleasant voice in his ear.
[Fight While Carrying the Ball]
Activated.
*BOOM.*
Their chests met. Tang Long landed steadily, but Gortat was sent flying backward by Tang Long's shove. Gortat's expression was bizarre. When their chests collided, he felt as if he had hit a train.
As he got up, unwilling to let it go and intending to confront Tang Long, he found that Tang Long had completely changed.