Basketball System: Hate Makes Me Unstoppable-Chapter 376: Somebody Call the Cops!

(TL/n: Hey everyone, I wanted to share something I've been thinking about.

Throughout the story, I've been using "Han" as the main name for the protagonist, but I recently learned that "Han" is actually considered the family name. That makes "Sen" the first name, and I've started using it in this Chapter instead.

I'm curious—does "Sen" feel natural, or does it sound off compared to "Han"? Should I switch back, or is it worth continuing with this change? Let me know your thoughts after reading.)

As Malone had predicted, when J.R. switched onto Kyrie Irving, the Celtics abandoned their "1-5" pick-and-roll strategy. Instead, they shifted away from targeting Nikola Jokić in mismatches through "1-2" pick-and-rolls involving Han Sen. It wasn't a tactical sacrifice—it would've been outright self-sabotage to force Irving against Sen when J.R. was already on him. [1]

With Han Sen liberated on defense, he was free to wreak havoc on offense.

And the Cavaliers needed him to.

Even though the Celtics had dropped their relentless targeting of Jokić through screens, they didn't let up in exhausting him in other ways.

This Boston lineup—led by Irving and Kevin Durant—thrived on elite isolation scoring. While neither Irving nor Durant was known for two-way brilliance, their ability to punish defenders with pull-up jumpers made them uniquely dangerous. Add in Al Horford's expert screen-setting and spacing, and Jokić couldn't simply retreat into the paint like a traditional big man. He was forced to chase and contest, draining his energy possession by possession.

J.R. and Covington managed to limit the damage to an extent, but expecting them to completely neutralize Boston's offensive juggernauts was unrealistic.

As Jokić absorbed the defensive workload, his offensive production naturally dipped. But that's what made him special: when he couldn't dominate as a scorer, he turned into a maestro, orchestrating the Cavaliers' offense from the top of the key.

This setup allowed Han Sen to flip the switch into full-on scoring mode.

Whether it was in the post or attacking off the dribble, Sen was relentless. He adapted seamlessly depending on the defensive pressure. When Boston threw extra bodies at him on-ball, he shifted into off-ball movement, relying on Jokić to find him at just the right moments.

With Jokić delivering pinpoint passes, Sen became a blur of cuts, screens, and rapid-fire shot releases—reminiscent of prime Stephen Curry.

"Let me remind everyone, during his rookie year, Han was one of the league's best off-ball shooters," Shaquille O'Neal chimed in from the TNT commentary booth.

Of course, what Shaq referred to was a distant memory—back when Sen's talents were raw, and his three-point shot was an emerging weapon. Now, with his skill set fully evolved, his off-ball scoring was devastating.

"Shaq, let me ask you," Barkley interjected, clearly ready to stir the pot. "Han and Jokić right now, or you and Kobe back in your day—which duo is better?"

Shaq didn't even flinch, flashing a knowing grin. "Han and Joker are the most coordinated duo in NBA history," he said with a smirk.

The comment was both a nod to Sen and Jokić's chemistry and a clever way to sidestep comparisons. Everyone knew Shaq and Kobe's dynamic was less about harmony and more about raw individual dominance.

Somewhere in Thousand Oaks, Kobe Bryant, likely mid-training session with his protégés, sneezed.

On the court, Sen and Jokić continued their rampage. With time winding down in the first quarter, the Cavaliers had possession for the final shot.

Jokić stood at the top of the arc, surveying the defense as the LED scoreboard displayed Sen's blistering stats: 10-of-14 shooting, 2-of-4 from three, 6-of-6 from the line—28 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist.

Sen had already set a new career-high for first-quarter scoring. Now, he had a chance to join the historic single-quarter 30-point club.

The Celtics swarmed him at every opportunity, desperate to avoid becoming his highlight reel. No one wanted to be remembered as part of someone else's moment.

With just seconds left, Jokić made his move, driving inside. The unexpected aggression momentarily pulled the Celtics' defense away from Sen, giving Jokić just enough room to exploit the opening.

And then, in the blink of an eye, Jokić passed the ball out—right to Sen.

Last year, in the Eastern Conference Finals, Sen had trusted Jokić with the ball for a decisive play. Tonight, Jokić returned the favor.

Read latest chapters at freёweɓnovel.com Only.

Sen caught the pass behind a screen, instantly rising for a three-pointer as the buzzer sounded.

The shot was pure—no hesitation, no adjustment. The arena fell silent, all eyes tracking the ball's arc as it climbed, peaked, and began its descent.

Swish.

The net barely moved.

31 points. Single-quarter 30-point club: unlocked.

The Cavaliers bench erupted in cheers, their energy spilling into the court. They didn't need stat sheets to know what had just happened—the LED screen confirmed it all. Han Sen had joined an elite group, the ninth player in NBA history to score 30+ points in a single quarter.

The Boston crowd buzzed with nervous energy, realizing they were witnessing something historic. But their anxiety quickly morphed into dread.

With Sen's incredible quarter, the Cavaliers took a commanding 40–29 lead. And while it was only the first quarter, it felt like Boston might already be in trouble.

"This is one of the greatest scoring exhibitions of all time!" Barkley shouted, leaning forward in his seat as if willing Sen's performance to continue.

Single-quarter scoring explosions like this were rare, even in the NBA's storied history. Legends like Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant had accomplished it, but even then, single quarters like these usually came with asterisks.

Klay Thompson's 37-point quarter? He finished with 52 points that game. Kevin Love's 34-point quarter? He ended with just 40. Even Carmelo Anthony, with his 33-point quarter, capped off the night with 45.

High bursts of energy often came at the cost of long-term efficiency. The human body could only sustain so much.

As the second quarter began, Sen rested on the bench until the seven-minute mark, scoring just eight points in the quarter. The Celtics, red-hot from the field, clawed back to tie the game at 64 by halftime.

For the first time all night, Boston fans exhaled.

If Sen had come out swinging in the second quarter like he did in the first, they might've been forced to "call the cops", as LeBron fans would jokingly say whenever their star dominated a game.

Instead, they saw something manageable. Han Sen had "only" 39 points at the half.

But from a strategic perspective, the Celtics had executed their game plan well. Irving and Durant had kept Jokić occupied, ensuring Sen often operated as a lone scorer. Boston had kept the pressure on, neutralizing what could've been a knockout punch.

As the halftime buzzer sounded, the Boston crowd roared, buoyed by hope and momentum. Victory, it seemed, was still within their grasp.

For now.

---

The Celtics opened the third quarter with possession, and Kevin Durant immediately looked to attack Nikola Jokić in a mismatch. However, the Cavaliers had adjusted their defense. Jokić sagged back into the paint while Robert Covington fought through screens to contest Durant from the side.

It was clear that Malone was determined to minimize Jokić's defensive workload, even if it meant conceding some mid-range opportunities. But Durant wasn't interested in settling for a jumper. He drove aggressively to the basket, directly challenging Jokić. The result? A sweeping layup that earned him a trip to the free-throw line for Jokić's third personal foul.

Malone's expression tightened on the sideline, his brow furrowed. He wasn't just worried about this game; his mind was already on the playoffs. Basketball isn't just about scoring—Jokić's defensive vulnerabilities could overshadow even his offensive brilliance, presenting a roadblock to reaching even greater heights.

Durant calmly sank both free throws, putting the Celtics on the board to start the half.

On the other end, Han Sen and Jokić executed a pick-and-roll, with Jokić rolling to the post and backing down Avery Bradley. It was a clear signal that Malone didn't want Sen carrying the same heavy offensive load as he did in the first quarter.

Bradley stood no chance against Jokić in the post, forcing the Celtics to collapse their defense. But just as they did, Jokić whipped a no-look pass out of the double team.

The ball sailed across the court, landing right in Han Sen's hands.

Bradley scrambled to recover, but it wasn't enough. Sen's off-ball movement had left Al Horford a step behind, and with no hesitation, Sen rose for a mid-range jumper. The Celtics' defense had no time to react.

The arena held its breath, expecting another miss after Sen's 3-for-8 shooting in the second quarter.

Swish.

The clean sound of the net silenced the doubters. Sen's shot was effortless, deadly.

His supposed second-quarter slump? It wasn't poor shooting—it was the toll of exhaustion. Now, with his energy restored, he was sharp again.

The Celtics went back to their bread-and-butter: Kyrie Irving and Horford in a pick-and-roll. But this time, Jokić played cautiously, keeping his hands up and avoiding unnecessary fouls. Irving scored on a tough side-step layup, but the defensive strategy worked: Jokić avoided further foul trouble.

Back on offense, Jokić continued exploiting mismatches, and the Celtics hesitated to pressure him too aggressively, wary of leaving Sen open. Jokić took advantage, spinning for an easy bank shot off the glass.

Malone's strategy was clear—embrace a high-scoring battle. The Celtics were firing on all cylinders, so rather than expend energy trying to completely stop them, the Cavaliers leaned into their own offensive strengths. The approach was working. As the third quarter progressed, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens began to feel uneasy.

Malone replaced Tristan Thompson with Kyle Kuzma, a familiar adjustment for the third quarter. While Kuzma's defense on Karl-Anthony Towns wasn't perfect, his ability to stretch the floor more than compensated. With Jokić anchoring the post, the Celtics' defense became stretched too thin, leaving gaps that Sen relentlessly exploited.

And Sen? He kept things simple.

No over-dribbling. No unnecessary moves. Just basketball in its purest form: quick shots, decisive drives, and drawing fouls. Halfway through the quarter, Sen had already gone 3-for-3 from the field and 4-for-4 from the line, adding another 10 points to his tally.

The adjustments were deliberate. Sen knew that replicating his explosive first-quarter scoring would burn him out by the fourth quarter. Instead, he focused on efficiency—minimizing energy expenditure while maximizing production. With his restored stamina, his rhythm returned, and every shot felt automatic.

The Boston crowd grew restless. Something was off. Even though Sen wasn't the primary offensive option this quarter, he hadn't missed a single shot.

With two minutes left in the quarter, Malone began his rotation, subbing both Sen and Jokić out for a breather. The game remained tightly contested, with both teams trading baskets.

Then came the uproar.

The LED scoreboard flashed Sen's stats for the quarter and the game: 7-for-7 from the field, 9-for-9 from the free-throw line (including a technical), for 23 points in the quarter.

Through three quarters, Han Sen had accumulated a jaw-dropping stat line: 62 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists.

The Boston crowd erupted in disbelief. "Somebody call the cops!" a fan shouted, half in jest, half in frustration.

Social media exploded. Sen had entered a realm of scoring reserved for the game's legends. His efficiency was staggering—unstoppable. Even the Celtics fans couldn't help but feel awe mixed with dread.

And yet, the Celtics were still in it. Despite Sen's historic performance, the game remained tied at 64 by halftime and neck-and-neck through the third quarter. Stevens' strategy of wearing down Jokić while limiting Sen's solo heroics had worked—sort of.

But one thing was clear: Han Sen wasn't just having a great game. He was making history.

As the teams prepared for the fourth quarter, the buzz in TD Garden grew louder. They knew they were witnessing something special. For Boston fans, it was a mixture of hope and fear.

Because if Sen kept this up, they wouldn't just lose.

They'd end up on the wrong side of history.

(End of Chapter)

---

Translator's note:

[1] In basketball terminology, pick-and-roll plays are named based on the positions of the ball handler ("1" being the point guard, "2" being the shooting guard, and "5" being the center).

1-5 Pick-and-Roll: This involves the point guard (1) and the center (5). The point guard handles the ball while the center sets a screen (the "pick") to create separation. This is the most common type of pick-and-roll as it combines the ball handler's speed and decision-making with the center's ability to roll to the basket or pop out for a mid-range shot. It's effective for attacking mismatches, especially if the opposing center struggles with lateral quickness.

1-2 Pick-and-Roll: This involves the point guard (1) and the shooting guard (2). It's less common but used strategically to target perimeter mismatches or create space for sharpshooting guards. The point guard may use the screen to attack or pass it back to the shooting guard for a quick shot or drive. It's often employed when both guards are highly skilled scorers and playmakers.

In the context of the Chapter:

- The Celtics used 1-5 pick-and-rolls to involve Jokić in defensive actions, exhausting him by forcing him to defend quicker guards like Kyrie Irving.

- They avoided 1-2 pick-and-rolls against Han Sen because he could effectively shut down those actions with his size and defensive ability, making it a wasted effort.