The Celtics scored two consecutive baskets, building a 5-0 run against the 76ers, which boosted their overall morale.
Turning around, Iverson drove aggressively, drawing a foul from Tony Allen. As he fell, he attempted a no-look hook shot!
This shot was incredibly difficult, but Iverson, with his years of feel for the game, managed to make it against all odds!
This is how Iverson was, always making shots that everyone deemed impossible!
This was the charm of Iverson: nothing was impossible!
"I'm sorry, Xi Meng, I shouldn't have fouled on that shot!"
Tony Allen, regretting his foul, apologized to He Xi Meng.
He Xi Meng patted his shoulder and comforted him, "Don't worry about these details! Just remember, if you have to foul, next time make sure the opponent can't get the shot off towards the basket! Especially top scorers like Iverson, you must hold him tight or just grab him! In short, don't give him a chance to shoot!"
"I'll remember!"
"Keep defending, Tony! You have the potential to be a top defender in the league, I'm counting on you!"
Tony Allen nodded heavily, determined not to let He Xi Meng's trust go to waste.
Iverson stepped to the free-throw line and made the additional free throw, giving the 76ers a 2+1.
But on the next possession, He Xi Meng responded with a super-long three-pointer, catching the 76ers completely off guard.
The surge the 76ers were building was immediately crushed by He Xi Meng's decisive blow.
This was He Xi Meng's first basket of the game, and his first point since joining the Celtics!
He Xi Meng had only been dishing out assists and not scoring, and he wasn't worried, but the fans and commentators were starting to get anxious.
Seeing He Xi Meng finally get on the scoreboard, the commentators, along with the arena DJ, rallied the entire crowd to cheer for him, making his first point feel as momentous as scoring his 30th!
He Xi Meng understood the fans' good intentions and waved in acknowledgment as he jogged back on defense.
Then, Iverson drove and kicked, attempting to assist Corliss Williamson on a cut for a layup!
Unexpectedly, Ariza's defense was very active. Although he was beaten by Corliss Williamson, he stayed right behind him. While Williamson was evading Perkins' block from the front, Ariza, taking advantage of Williamson's side-step, sneaked up from behind and snatched the ball from his hands!
Having successfully stolen the ball, Ariza didn't try to do too much and immediately passed it to He Xi Meng to push the pace!
He Xi Meng once again had a chance for a fast break!
On this play, He Xi Meng suddenly stopped sharply at the three-point line, feigning another outside shot, but in reality, he was stretching the 76ers' defense to create an opening for the fast-charging Josh Smith to attack the basket!
Josh Smith was originally coming in to crash the offensive boards, but when He Xi Meng called out "Josh," Smith looked up and exclaimed, "Whoa! Good heavens, the ball is almost flying over my head!"
Without time to think, Josh Smith instinctively took off while running, raised his hands, caught the lob pass from He Xi Meng perfectly, and slammed it down for a spectacular two-handed alley-oop dunk!
"Is scoring this easy?"
After Josh Smith landed, he stared at his hands and couldn't help but exclaim.
Turning around, Josh Smith quickly jogged back on defense. As he passed He Xi Meng, they exchanged a firm high-five in celebration!
"Beautiful pass!"
"Beautiful dunk!"
They praised each other simultaneously.
In the stands, the Celtics fans erupted in another round of cheers.
Rookie Josh Smith, with these two explosive alley-oop dunks, had officially entered the fans' consciousness.
In the VIP box, Michael Jordan naturally seized the opportunity, proudly introducing to the "Big Three" Larry Bird next to him, "This rookie, I picked him..."
He Xi Meng's exceptional play with this group of rookie teammates was so outstanding that Doc Rivers forgot to adjust the lineup.
This lineup played through the first half of the second quarter. Even more critically, the Celtics, with this rookie lineup, firmly suppressed the 76ers and regained the lead.
Rivers was completely bewildered by He Xi Meng's performance!
"I brought you here to embarrass yourselves, not to show off your skills? Aren't you putting Pierce in a hole by doing this?"
No wonder Pierce's gaze towards him had become strange. If not for Rivers' firm insistence on a Pierce-centric offensive strategy during pre-game practice, Pierce would have suspected that Rivers had colluded with He Xi Meng to deliberately set a trap for him...
When the Celtics' starting lineup returned, He Xi Meng still didn't give Pierce much opportunity. He focused all his attention on Yao Ming, doing his utmost to help Yao Ming establish his authority in his debut with the Celtics!
Pierce was playing unhappily but had no good solution!
Because the combination of He Xi Meng and Yao Ming as the core was proving capable of holding off the 76ers, the Celtics were not at a disadvantage on the court with or without Pierce's involvement! This was the most perplexing part for Pierce.
At halftime, the Celtics led the 76ers by 8 points!
During the halftime break, Rivers continued to drone on to the players, instilling his tactics and urging them to focus their offense and defense around Pierce.
He Xi Meng sat on the bench, calmly sipping his sports drink, occasionally whispering to Yao Ming beside him.
Compared to Rivers' appeals, Yao Ming clearly valued He Xi Meng's whispers more.
The first game of the new season wasn't even over, and Rivers was already feeling immense pressure. He suddenly realized that his choice before the game might have been problematic.
Although Pierce had played for the Celtics for six years and had a good fan base in Boston, making him the undisputed team leader, why wasn't He Xi Meng intimidated by Pierce at all? He even seemed to have a commanding attitude towards both Pierce and Rivers!
Could it be that his strength was truly that outstanding?
Could he control this Celtics team and lead Boston to victory while facing pressure from both Pierce and Rivers?
Judging by the first half, He Xi Meng had indeed performed exceptionally well! At least, much better than Rivers had imagined.
Upon returning for the third quarter, Iverson once again intensified his offensive efforts, attempting to regain control of the game and reverse the unfavorable situation.
He Xi Meng, who had been subdued for half a game, quiet for half a game, was finally ignited by Iverson's intensity in the third quarter...