A monstrous triple-double from former NBA star Jeremy Lin helped extended Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers’ franchise-record winning streak to eight games after a 116-110 win over the New Taipei Kings in the P League+ on Sunday.
The win over the league leaders at Fengshen Arena keeps the Steelers hot on the heels of Formosa Taishin Dreamers, who are fourth in the table and only occupy the last play-off spot on head-to-head results.
Lin dropped a career high, and league record-tying, 50 points to go with 10 rebounds and 11 assists. He had a big night on Saturday too, scoring 30 points in his side’s 113-88 win over the Hsinchu JKO Lioneers.
“Praise the Lord really, the past two years was never easy, I came here not knowing how much I have left in the tank,” said the 34-year-old, who was named the league’s MVP in March.
“I had no idea what I can offer the team as a player so I was surprised with the performance, it’s just I happened to be hot-handed today.”
The former NBA champion, who won a title with the Toronto Raptors in 2019, sparked and capped a 15-8 run before half-time to turn a close encounter into a seven-point lead for the hosts.
Steelers’ lead grew to as many as 15 points late in the third quarter, but the visitors responded with a 22-9 run in the final quarter to tie the game at 96-all with little more than five minutes to go.
Lin ensured the hosts’ lead remained intact with some crucial plays down the stretch, even if he almost tainted his own performance with an unnecessary foul, his sixth of the game, that led to him being ejected with 4 minutes and 13 seconds left.
But 25-year-old American guard Jay West took over, scoring 10 of his 12 points in the final minutes to seal the win.
“I always said my teammates worked very hard and they kept learning and improving every day,” Lin said.
“It’s just sometimes when I played well, no one noticed their effort and performance, but it was all to be seen today, basketball is always a team sport, now everyone sees what they are capable of.”
Sunday’s win means the Steelers and the Dreamers have both won 15 and lost 21, but the latter have won four of the seven games between the two sides this season.
Both teams have four games left, with clashes against the league’s top three teams, before meeting for a final time May 14 in an encounter that could decide who goes to the play-offs.
“Let us just live the moment and focus on the process, and the results will take care of themselves,” Lin said.
“The current rankings do not guarantee we will be in the play-offs, so we will continue to try our best in the remaining games and hope the fans can feel our relentless effort.”
The Steelers will face the Kings again at Xinzhuang Gymnasium next Sunday, while the Dreamers host Taipei Fubon Braves and Taoyuan Pauian Pilots, the league’s second and third-placed teams, in back-to-back games next weekend.
