Tatum relayed the meeting results to Stern, Stern to Benson, and Benson told the Pelicans players in the locker room.

This was undoubtedly the strongest boost for the Pelicans.

They should have already finished this series if not for the referees.

The Pelicans and Clippers were about to face a Game 7, and by this point, the other first-round matchups had largely concluded.

In the East, the Heat had advanced early, but their opponent wasn't yet determined. The Raptors and Nets were tied 3-3, and they still had to wait.

However, the other Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup was set: the Bulls eliminated the Wizards 4-2, and the Pacers eliminated the Bobcats 4-1. The two teams would face off in the second round.

This clash of iron blood and toughness was quite a spectacle.

The Bobcats were a bit pitiful. Jordan finally got them into the playoffs with Walker and Jefferson, only to fall in the first round.

In the West, the Spurs solved the Rockets 4-2, and the Lakers eliminated the Warriors 4-1. The Spurs and Lakers would meet in the semifinals for the second year in a row.

This time, the Spurs were without Tang Tian, while the Lakers' Nash and Kobe were another year older. The outcome was still uncertain.

The results of these matchups were largely as expected, but the result of another matchup was shocking.

After the Thunder tied their series with the Grizzlies 2-2 after being down 0-2, it was assumed that they would take the series.

But no one expected Durant's efficiency to plummet in the next two games due to Allen's defense, and Westbrook, just recovered from injury, was also in poor form.

They lost two straight games and were eliminated by the Grizzlies 2-4!

When the Thunder were down 0-2, fans were already worried that something was happening.

Now that it had really happened, they still felt a little shocked and doubtful.

"As a Thunder fan, I want to kill someone. We've been Black Sevened by the same team for two years in a row!"

"A capital 'tragedy.' I'm afraid I won't dare watch games against the Grizzlies in the future, it's really too miserable!"

"The most miserable is Durant, right? He lost Scarlett, lost the game to Tang, lost the scoring title to Tang, and now he doesn't even have a chance to challenge Tang..."

"This scene is familiar. He must have felt the same despair during the regular season finale when Tang scored 72 points."

"Don't say it, if you say more, KD will really cry."

"Really, why is Durant so miserable? Who did he offend?!"

"The Pelicans won't make it to the second round either. They've been dragged to a Game 7 by the Clippers, they'll be eliminated for sure," said a fan of the Godfather.

"Wait and see, the Pelicans will win, I believe in Tang."

"Yes, I will believe in him too, he is the kind of player who performs better in key games, born for the big stage."

"Wait and see, wait for the Pelicans to be eliminated and see what you think!" said a fan of the Godfather.

...

The Thunder's elimination was shocking, and Durant was ridiculed to the extreme.

But soon, fans' attention shifted from the news of the Thunder's elimination, because the Pelicans and Clippers' Game 7 was about to begin.

This game, mixed with racial discrimination, referee calls, and even fan Twitter topics, was finally about to begin.

It was also at this time that some quick-witted veteran fans noticed fluctuations in the odds on the betting websites. The Pelicans' odds of advancing had plummeted.

On the night of the game, the Staples Center was packed.

The Lakers had already advanced to the second round, and now they naturally hoped that the other team in Los Angeles could follow suit.

If both Los Angeles teams could enter the second round, it would be an unprecedented event, and they might even see a cross-town derby in the Western Conference Finals!

A future that could be anticipated with the naked eye was infinitely desirable.

The Clippers players' faces were also filled with confidence.

After turning a 1-3 deficit into a 3-3 tie, Game 7 was still at home.

They were only one game away from making history.

Although the process was a bit difficult, if they could enter the second round with a historical record, it would be a huge boost to the team's confidence.

Then their chances of winning would be much greater when they played the Grizzlies.

After all, they had never played well against the Grizzlies, and they needed this kind of off-court factor.

The Pelicans players also had confidence on their faces.

They were extremely unhappy with the way the referees played in the previous two 5-on-8 games, and now they knew that the referees would not be stealing the show in this game.

The feeling was like being celibate for a long time, and suddenly a beauty came to the door, their fighting power exploding.

This game was the focus of the focus, and TNT's Big Three also appeared on the sidelines at the commentary booth.

"Who will win tonight's game?"

Barkley asked the question.

"The Pelicans."

O'Neal said quickly.

"Why?"

Barkley looked at O'Neal.

O'Neal shook his head with a smile.

This didn't need a reason, brainlessly siding with Tang!

O'Neal didn't say it, but after Barkley understood, he couldn't help but laugh.

This guy's identity as a Tang-booster and Kobe-hater was unshakable.

He then turned his attention to Smith.

"The Clippers."

Sure enough, Smith thought differently from O'Neal.

And he quickly gave his own analysis.

"This is the Clippers' home court, they have just won two games in a row, they have found a way to deal with Tang Tian and Davis, and they are also doing a good job in drawing fouls."

Each of Smith's analyses was accurate and convincing.

"Then what kind of game do you think this will be?"

Barkley then threw out the second question. He wasn't going to be a bigmouth tonight, but a professional hype man.

"Although the Clippers have all the advantages and are likely to advance, the game will be very anxious. The Pelicans will not give up easily, and this game will go down to the wire."

Smith gave his opinion.

But there were some things he didn't say. In a 50-50 situation, the referee could easily change the final result.

"No, the Pelicans will win by a landslide."

O'Neal continued his brainless boasting.

"Come on! Man!"

This answer made Barkley couldn't help but complain. This was even more of a bigmouth than he was.

The Pelicans were playing on the road, and the chances of winning by a landslide were almost non-existent. The Clippers were not pushovers.

Just as the commentators were talking, the opening ceremony began on the field, and the starting lineups of both sides took the stage one after another.

After playing six games, both sides knew each other well, and there were no adjustments to the starting lineup.

For the Pelicans, it was Holiday and Morrow on the outside, Tang Tian and Davis on the front line, and Evans at center.

For the Clippers, it was Paul and Redick on the outside, Barnes and Griffin on the front line, and Jordan at center.

Paul was the last to appear, and the cheers of the fans at the scene were overwhelming.

Paul also waved to the fans.

For him, eliminating his former team and entering the second round would be a night he would never forget.