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Chapter 15 - Chapter 15: Going for Five Straight Wins

"All right, guys—tomorrow we take that damn road game, and we'll have delivered on the promise we made at the start of the season."

On the flight to Los Angeles, Mike Malone addressed the team.

At the start of the season, Chen Yilun and Malone had set a goal: win at least five games in a row. At first, Malone thought it was almost impossible—three of the first five games were against last year's playoff teams, and two were on back-to-back nights.

But after the team defeated the Warriors and the Trail Blazers back-to-back, Malone began to think maybe it wasn't so far-fetched.

Now, all they needed was a win over the Los Angeles Clippers, followed by two back-to-back games against the Nuggets. Malone still believed they could pull it off.

"We need to watch out for the Clippers. With Griffin and Jordan, our advantage in the paint isn't as clear anymore," Malone said, glancing at Cousins, who was sitting to the side, looking distracted.

"And Chris Paul," Chen Yilun added from his seat. "Paul is one of the most dangerous guards in the league. With him, the Clippers are a level tougher. Facing a veteran like that will be a big learning experience for you young guys."

Chen spoke with the tone of a seasoned veteran, completely ignoring the fact that most of the players weren't much younger than him—some were even older.

"I believe this battle in L.A. will be the toughest test on our road to five straight wins."

He unbuckled his seatbelt and stood up. "Coach Malone and I have worked hard to accommodate your practice schedules, rest days, and even your tactical preferences. Now it's your turn to help us. We've made a pledge to the boss—if we lose, we'll take the heat, and you'll feel it too!"

It was the first time Chen had spoken so bluntly since taking charge of the team. Truthfully, he wasn't entirely confident. The first two wins had been a bit lucky—the Warriors had taken them lightly in the opener, and the Blazers had been distracted by off-court issues. But the Clippers were different.

Lob City played a style similar to the current Kings, but on paper they were clearly stronger. Griffin and DeAndre Jordan in the paint were already a nightmare duo, and Paul alone was enough to give the Kings' young backcourt a serious headache.

The players seemed to realize Chen wasn't joking this time, their expressions turning serious. "Don't worry, Chen—we'll bring you back a win," said Rudy Gay, the team's veteran leader.

Cousins might have been the Kings' biggest star, but everyone knew he wasn't a natural leader. In most situations, Gay was the one the locker room looked to.

The Staples Center in Los Angeles, one of the league's premier arenas, had seen countless classic games—but most of them belonged to the Lakers, not the Clippers.

It was one of those ironies of reality: the Clippers had easily outperformed the Lakers over the last two seasons, but Los Angeles fans still didn't care for them. In their hearts, only the purple-and-gold jersey represented the true kings of L.A.

So tonight, the Staples Center wasn't even full. People's money doesn't grow on trees—they'd rather save it for a Lakers game.

At tip-off, DeAndre Jordan won the jump. Paul brought it up slowly. CJ, tasked with guarding him, stared wide-eyed. If he wanted to become a top guard, Paul was a mountain he'd have to climb—and this was a rare chance to learn.

Paul studied the rookie who had been making headlines recently. Without calling for a screen, he simply changed direction, shaking CJ. No flashy moves, no elaborate plays—just a basic fake. But CJ felt his balance shift for a split second.

That was all Paul needed. He slipped past CJ, saw the help defense coming, and floated a lob toward the rim. A blur rose above the basket—DeAndre Jordan caught it midair and slammed it down hard.

"Roar!" Jordan pounded his chest and bellowed.

Malone's expression soured on the sideline. CJ had the talent, but he was still years behind Paul in game sense.

Next possession, Cousins posted up against Jordan. But the Clippers' big man stood like an unshakable tower, unfazed by contact, and easily disrupted the shot. The ball clanged off the rim.

Frustrated, Cousins clapped his hands and sprinted back to defense—but Paul suddenly burst forward, catching the Kings off guard. Ben, retreating near the three-point line, barely had time to react before Paul spun past him and scored an easy layup.

In the next few minutes, the Kings were completely outplayed. Midway through the first quarter, they trailed 12–5, forcing Malone to call a timeout.

Meanwhile, online chatter was already doubting them:

"Told you, the Kings are just a flash in the pan. No team improves this much in one season without changing its core."

"I was high on CJ before, but now? Looks like he's nothing special. Paul's making him look lost out there."

Malone had no time to care about that. The Clippers were scoring from everywhere—if the Kings didn't adjust fast, they'd be stuck in their rhythm before the first quarter ended, and a comeback would be tough.

"Make a substitution," Chen suddenly said beside him.

Malone looked at him, then shook his head with a bitter smile. "Who? We don't have the bench depth to match their offense."

"The Clippers' biggest weapon is those two high-flying bigs. We just have to keep them grounded," Chen said, eyes sharp.

"You mean…" Malone quickly caught on. "Cousins, ease up on offense and focus outside. Casspi, take a seat. Mozgov, you're in. I want the paint packed so tight that nothing gets through!"

"Got it," Mozgov replied in his thick Russian accent, pulling off his warm-up shirt.

"Oh? The Kings make the first move," said Barkley in the TNT studio, joined by O'Neal and Kenny Smith. Watching Mozgov step onto the court, Barkley narrowed his eyes. "Looks like they're finally going to that twin-towers lineup we predicted before the season."

Swish!

CJ came off Mozgov's screen and drilled a three from the top of the arc. Ever since the Blazers game, he'd felt like he had endless energy—and his shooting touch had mysteriously improved.

As he ran back, he glanced at his hands, wondering if he really was the so-called chosen one.

Paul crossed half court, ready to feed Griffin or Jordan for an alley-oop—but noticed both were standing still outside. He looked toward the paint and froze.

Cousins and Mozgov, both massive bodies, stood like twin gatekeepers under the rim. The once-open lane was now packed tight.

Trying to shut us out inside, huh? Paul's eyes narrowed. He called for a pick, pulled up from the free-throw line, but missed. Cousins and Mozgov boxed out Griffin and Jordan like two immovable walls.

When the ball bounced off, Mozgov didn't even jump—he simply reached out, snagged it, and fired it to Gay.

Gay hesitated, then spotted two purple jerseys sprinting ahead—Ben and CJ. "These young guys have some engine," he thought, before launching the ball forward.

Ben caught it, glanced back at Matt Barnes closing in, then gritted his teeth and went up strong, dunking over him.

"Nice! Ben went right at him!" O'Neal praised from the broadcast.

After landing, Ben exhaled and shot CJ a slightly cocky look. The two had always had a quiet rivalry—they were both second-year players, drafted in the same class, with Ben taken higher. When CJ broke out, Ben was happy for him, but deep down, he couldn't help feeling a sting.

CJ had made his mark, while he was still a rotation guy. For a young man in his early 20s, that wasn't easy to swallow.

"Keep it up, man," CJ said, patting him on the backside as they got back on defense. Since the Blazers game, CJ had fully embraced being a King, and seeing Ben make a big play brought genuine praise from him.

"Don't worry—this is just the first one." Ben smirked as the Clippers closed in. "They call this Lob City? We know how to dunk too."

Realizing his paint game was shut down, Paul switched it up, using screens to free up Barnes and Redick for outside shots. The Kings countered with Gay, who repeatedly went at Barnes on the perimeter, using his size and wingspan to score.

The first quarter ended with the Kings on a mini-run, trailing just two points, 21–23.

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