Tang Tian scored two more points after breaking through Delfino's turn-around fadeaway.

The former top 3D player was aging, just like the Argentinian team. It was difficult to really limit Tang Tian.

Back on the other end, Ginobili continued to attack using the pick and roll.

This time, Tang Tian switched defensively completely in place, and Ginobili didn't have a chance to shoot.

He passed the ball back to Scola, who faced Ke Lanbaike's high post jump shot.

"Swish!"

Scola seized the opportunity, and the ball went into the net.

8 to 8. After being at a disadvantage at the start, the Argentinian team was now deadlocked with the Chinese team.

Ginobili was older and not as strong as before, but his scoring and passing were as skilled as Tang Tian's, and he revitalized the Argentinian team.

On the Chinese team's offense, Tang Tian broke through again. This time, the Argentinian team shrunk the defense in advance, giving a lot of opportunities on the outside.

Tang Tian seized the opportunity and passed the ball to Zhou Peng in the corner.

Zhou Peng took another three-point shot.

"Clang!"

It was still a bit too heavy, and it hit the iron!

When the muscles are in a state of excitement, it's not easy to relax.

In terms of individual strength, the Argentinian team's players were much stronger than the Chinese team's. They were able to find their rhythm under Ginobili's leadership.

On the Chinese team's side, Tang Tian's passing attempts didn't result in any scores, so he could only rely more on his own offense to score.

The good news was that the Argentinian team's age limited their ability to defend him, and the deadlock after the start of the game continued until halftime.

At the end of the first half, the two sides were tied at 40.

Tang Tian scored 25 points in the first half.

The game on the court was intense, and who could advance to the top four was still unknown.

The fans in China were also anxious.

The Chinese team's outside shooters, except for the game against Australia, had performed very well in other games.

The game against Australia was a disadvantage in terms of physical confrontation, but this game wasn't. This was a clear case of dropping the ball at a critical moment.

This was the reason for their anxiety.

If the outside shooters didn't find their form in the second half, and the Argentinian team double-teamed Tang Tian to death, then the Chinese team would really be in trouble.

During the halftime break, the players from both teams took the time to rest and adjust their tactics in the locker room.

The atmosphere in the Chinese team's locker room was a bit gloomy. Apart from Tang Tian, the other players combined for 1 for 10 from beyond the three-point line, a terrible performance.

The opportunity to create history was within reach, but they were not performing well.

The excited muscles had relaxed, but the pressure in their hearts hadn't decreased at all, and had instead become stronger.

"It's okay, even top NBA shooters have off nights. Do you know Klay Thompson? The top shooter in the NBA, even when he's guarding me, he can go 0 for 10. But he'll continue to stay confident and seize the opportunity to shoot the next ball. Without the next shot, there won't be the next basket."

Tang Tian knew that the Chinese team couldn't win by relying on him alone, especially after his stamina decreased in the second half.

So he had to stand up and give a pep talk.

This pep talk was very useful.

Tang Tian didn't criticize them for their poor performance, but instead continued to encourage them.

They also knew why the Pelicans were able to rise so quickly after Tang Tian joined the team.

With a team core like Tang Tian, it was hard for the team atmosphere not to be good.

"Achoo!"

Thompson, who was preparing for training, suddenly sneezed.

The weather in Rio in August was hot like fire, but it made him sneeze.

This wasn't a temperature problem. He didn't know which guy was talking bad about him behind his back.

Coming back from the halftime break, Ginobili suddenly passed to Delfino, who caught the ball and hit a three-pointer, taking the initiative.

The Argentinian team's halftime adjustment was very effective.

For these veterans, adjusting their touch would greatly increase their offensive threat.

On the Chinese team's offensive possession, Tang Tian dribbled to break through. Except for Scola, who was guarding Yi Jianlian, all four Argentinian players shrunk inside.

The Chinese team had a terrible outside shooting percentage in the first half, and the Argentinian team's double-teaming became even more thorough.

Tang Tian showed his passing ability, passing the ball to Zhao Jiwei at the arc in the double-team. Zhao Jiwei took an open three-pointer.

The rhythm and feel of the shot were very good.

"Clang!"

But the ball hit the front of the rim and bounced out.

Hernán Gómez, the Argentinian team's coach on the sidelines, was overjoyed to see this.

If the Chinese team's outside shooting wasn't good in the second half, the Argentinian team would have a great chance of advancing to the top four!

They were really lucky to meet the Chinese team in the knockout stage!

But before the joy in his heart could pass, Ke Lanbaike flew to the basket and snatched the offensive rebound over Nocioni's head!

This offensive rebound was tough!

Nocioni, who had a tough style of play, turned around and elbowed him after seeing the rebound being snatched away.

"Bang!"

The elbow hit Ke Lanbaike's mouth, and the latter's front tooth was knocked out.

The referee blew his whistle, Nocioni was called for a technical foul, and Ke Lanbaike fell to the ground, holding his mouth with a painful expression.

Just as Tang Tian was about to go up, Zhou Peng took the lead and pushed Nocioni hard.

He was the one who fought with the Brazilian team with Zhu Fangyu back then, so he wasn't afraid of fighting at all.

The two sides almost staged an all-out brawl at the Olympics.

Fortunately, Ginobili was rational and pushed his teammates back to avoid escalating the conflict.

Ke Lanbaike had also been helped up by his teammates. Apart from having his front tooth knocked out, he didn't have any other major injuries.

But a toothache can kill a person. Being hit in the front tooth, his expression was ferocious, and it was conceivable how painful it was.

The game entered a technical timeout. After Ke Lanbaike received emergency treatment, he insisted on continuing to play.

This greatly boosted the morale of the Chinese team's players.

After the timeout, Tang Tian made a technical free throw, and the Chinese team still had possession.

Tang Tian arranged an inbound play during the timeout. Zhao Jiwei's high pass went to Tang Tian, and Tang Tian's turn-around fadeaway hit.

The Chinese team tied the score again!

Back on the defensive end, because of Ke Lanbaike, and because of Tang Tian, the Chinese team's defensive aggressiveness was very strong.

Scola's strong attack under the basket was interfered with, and Yi Jianlian grabbed the defensive rebound to end this possession.

Back on the other end, Tang Tian suddenly passed the ball to Zhao Jiwei, who passed the ball to Ke Lanbaike after being double-teamed.

Ke Lanbaike caught the ball and took a three-point shot.

"Swish!"

With a crisp sound, the basketball went into the net cleanly!

After scoring, Ke Lanbaike roared excitedly, the hole in the middle of his front teeth was especially glaring.

Deafening cheers erupted at the scene.

The Chinese team really needed three-pointers now!

Now someone finally made one, and that person was Ke Lanbaike, Ke Lanbaike who had just had his front tooth knocked out!

This was a huge boost to the morale of the fans and the Chinese team!

Tang Tian also reached out and slapped hands with Ke Lanbaike as he retreated on defense.

In this Chinese team, apart from him, the second strongest was Yi Jianlian, followed by a gap, and then Guo Ailun, Zhao Jiwei and others.

Ke Lanbaike was on the roster, but he was also a relatively marginal player.

After playing in the group stage, he relied on his aggressiveness to enter the starting lineup, and now he was helping the Chinese team to build momentum with an offensive rebound and a three-pointer.

Small people also have big roles.

This was the best description of his performance!