Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog

"They need to get their head in the game," Suzy muttered.

Yani nodded in agreement. "It's already nearing the end of the third quarter. I feel like they need to do something different if they want to win."

"That's right," a male cheerleader chimed. "They haven't surpassed the Foxes in terms of score yet."

Suzy bit her lip in nervousness as she watched the Dogs' bench. She focused her gaze on Kai.

"Come on," she said. "You must have something, right?"

"The perfect line-up?" Jinping asked from the bench. "Does that even exist?'

"It's difficult," Renren chimed, wiping sweat from his brow. "It's hard to get the ball with Chunlei and Yiming guarding us so tight. I feel like there's still something lacking in the team."

"I'm sorry," the benchwarmer said, looking down at his shoes. "I can't stop Yiming."

Jet shook his head, looking exhausted. "I'm getting tired."

Yuze chimed in, "Zeren's gotten better. They improved his shooting skills a lot."

Jet clicked his tongue. "Why did he have to leave?"

Lina sighed. "This is not the time to be complaining."

"Kai had talked to Coach Muchen and me earlier, telling us about this certain line-up that he believes could beat the Feng Foxes."

With the mention of the Feng Foxes' defeat, the players started listening intently.

Kai smirked, sensing an opportunity. "That's why this is the perfect time to bring out the ideal line-up."

"Come on. You've already said that," Jet said. "What does the perfect line-up mean?"

Kai took a deep breath and began his explanation. "The reason we're having such a hard time against the Feng Foxes is because they have a balanced team."

"So, we're not a balanced team?" Yuze asked, raising one eyebrow.

Kai chuckled. "Let me expound."

"They've got good defense with Yiming and Shilei, one that covers the tall defense and another that keeps it low. They have great shooters like Kexin and Zeren, who can sink three-pointers easily. And then there's Chunlei, one of the greatest point guards around. His foundational skills and speed are unmatched. Bocheng completes them as the center, solid and dependable."

Yuze nodded, following along. "So, what are you suggesting?"

Kai continued, "The perfect line-up can only last them so long. They're trying to maintain their lead with their best players, but they can't sustain it."

"They might have figured out my weakness—not being able to shoot well from the three-point line. But, we're a team that compensates for each other's weaknesses."

"Back then, we already had great players," he continued. "However, it is only recently that we found a great balance like them."

"You can counter Yiming," Kai said, pointing at Yuze. "You've always been able to do that. However, you weren't able to do it alone."

"Luckily, we have a line-up that can cover their best line-up. Jinping can counter Shilei. Andy is our hidden gem; he can shoot three-pointers if the conditions are right. Renren is great at curating plays but is also excellent at defense and can take on Bocheng."

"And I will continue to counter Chunlei like I did at the start."

"And you know what's the best part?" Kai asked with a cunning smile.

Jinping leaned closer to Jet. "I'm getting scared. He looks evil," he whispered.

"Just follow through with it," Jet whispered back.

Kai glanced back at the Feng Foxes and observed the looks on their faces.

"They're tired," he continued. "They're desperate to win, so they're using their best players nonstop. But this roster I'm suggesting is something we haven't tried before—one that they won't expect."

The players looked around, realizing the potential of this new line-up. It was a combination they hadn't used in a game yet.

"You're right," Coach Muchen chuckled. "We've never put the five of you together."

"Your positions line up, too," Lina muttered, her smile already returning.

Kai stretched his limbs. "So, let's go out there and give it everything we've got. They'll be caught off guard, and we'll have the element of surprise on our side."

The five boys glanced at each other, feeling that something amazing was going to happen in the last moments of the game.

Yuze nodded in agreement, the pain in his ankle being forgotten.

"Let's cheer again," Lina excitedly said, placing her hand in the middle of their circle.

"Shizi Dogs!" she exclaimed.

"Fight! Fight! Fight!"

The anxious fans who heard their chant chimed in, also cheering for the team.

The Shizi Dogs took the court again, with their new line-up ready to face the Feng Foxes.

The crowd noticed the change immediately, murmuring in anticipation.

"Well, this is new," Shang said. "I don't think they've played together in a game before."

"They should have, though," Dylan said. "It's literally the perfect line-up."

"There's a new face! Who's that tall and lanky guy?" an office-worker asked.

"I hope the Dogs don't experiment anymore. They can't win this if they do," another chimed.

"I thought you guys weren't in favor of a team?"

"I originally wanted to watch the game for fun, but I can't help but root for these pink dudes."

Mark, the commentator, also couldn't help but voice his thoughts.

"What can this combination bring?" he asked.

There were less than three minutes left into the quarter, so it was just enough time for them to get used to each other.

Although they had spent time together in training, the particular group of five boys had never been teamed for a single practice match.

It was almost ridiculous that the combination never came to light.

So, they used the last three minutes to adjust to each other's playing styles.

It seemed like they weren't the only ones adjusting, though.

The Feng Foxes couldn't pinpoint what was new about the line-up, but they could feel an ominous strength coming from them.

Zeren frowned. "What's with this feeling?" he muttered.

Just then, the buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the third quarter.

Chunlei pursed his lips, feeling like nothing special had happened in those three minutes.

However, as he glanced at the scoreboard, he realized he was wrong.

65-53.

The score hadn't moved at all.