The lights from the dome of the Staples Center shone brilliantly over the entire court.
The numbers on the electronic scoreboard danced like a sharp blade hanging over the heads of all the Clippers players.
With only 35 seconds left in the game, the red numbers on the timer at the sideline counted down mercilessly, like the footsteps of death.
The camera locked onto Rivers like a cheetah. The coach, known throughout the league for his bald head, had veins bulging from his forehead, with sweat rolling down his shiny scalp.
The hand clutching the towel trembled slightly as he mechanically wiped the sweat, and everyone could sense his unease—an impending disaster. The title of "King of Comeback Losses" was closing in on him relentlessly.
Paul stood at the edge of the court, biting his molars, his gaze fixed on the Nuggets' half-court opposite him.
