Chapter 256: Third Win Against Thunder

With the shot clock winding down, Durant, despite being ten centimeters taller than Wade Dong, couldn't find any open shot opportunities due to Wade Dong's suffocating defense.

This was because it was the most critical shot of the game, and Wade Dong's defense was suffocating.

Just then...

Harden suddenly broke free from Tucker's defense!

Durant didn't hesitate and immediately passed the ball to Harden.

As soon as Harden caught the ball, he pulled up for a three-pointer!

"..."

The entire arena fell silent as the fans watched the ball glide through the air.

"Swish!"

The ball went through the net!

Suns trailed 102-103!

With 13 seconds left in the game, the Thunder took a 1-point lead.

"Wow!"

The crowd erupted, and Harden had saved the Thunder!

After three subpar games, Harden proved himself with a clutch shot at the most critical moment.

"Awesome, bro!"

"Damn... Damn... Damn!"

Durant and Westbrook excitedly hugged Harden. They finally saw a glimmer of hope, and it wasn't easy.

...

At this moment, Gentry called a timeout.

Wade Dong frowned and walked to the sideline, holding back a comment. He thought Gentry's timeout was a bit foolish.

Of course, most coaches in the league would call a timeout in this situation to set up a play.

With 13 seconds left in the game and trailing by 1 point, the last possession was crucial!

However, Wade Dong had a lingering worry. By calling this timeout, Gentry not only gave the Suns a chance to set up their play but also allowed the Thunder to devise a defensive strategy. If Gentry hadn't called the timeout, the Suns could have inbounded the ball and Wade Dong had thirteen ways to make the game-winning shot with 13 seconds left.

"This is our last possession!"

Gentry held the tactical board and looked at Wade Dong, saying, "Give the ball to Brother Dong!"

"Okay!"

Curry and the others nodded.

Gentry then briefly explained how they should move after the inbound pass to get the ball to Wade Dong and what Wade Dong should do after receiving the ball.

The rest was up to Brother Dong!

On the Thunder's side, Brooks instructed Durant and the others to surround him as he quietly devised a defensive strategy.

However, Durant and the others frowned, and Westbrook even argued with Brooks for a moment. In the end, the Thunder players reluctantly agreed, respecting the coach's decision.

...

The timeout ended.

McGrady stood on the sideline, ready to inbound the ball.

Wade Dong, Curry, Nash, and Thompson began to move into position, as all four of them had the ability to finish the game.

The hearts of the Chinese fans were in their throats!

Even though they were watching the game live on TV or computer, they didn't forget to cheer for the Suns.

The fans knew that the Suns' last possession would likely involve Wade Dong.

Up to this point, Wade Dong had a 100% success rate on game-winning shots!

As Wade Dong moved into position, only Durant was defending him, and the defense wasn't very tight. Wade Dong easily received the pass after cutting out from the corner.

At this moment, Wade Dong also used a bottle of 'Lucky Potion.'

He planned to dribble for a bit to run down the clock and then take the shot in the last second or two, leaving no time for the Thunder to respond.

"I still remember the game against the Spurs last year when we were defeated by a game-winning shot," Wade Dong thought.

But...

As Wade Dong dribbled, Durant and Westbrook rushed over. Wade Dong dodged Durant but ended up grabbing Westbrook!

"Beep!"

The referee blew the whistle, signaling a defensive foul on Westbrook.

Wade Dong was sent to the free-throw line.

"Damn!"

Wade Dong cursed.

He had wasted a bottle of 'Lucky Potion.' It seemed that the 'Lucky Potion' only increased his free-throw percentage, and it wasn't so lucky in critical moments!

No wonder he had felt a sense of foreboding; the Thunder had set up this tactic.

Wade Dong secretly felt relieved, thinking that Gentry was still a decent person. If Gentry had used this tactic in the last three minutes of the Olympic final last year, the Chinese National Team might not have been able to defeat the M Nation National Team.

If Wade Dong was fouled every time he got the ball, and the M Nation Team used up the clock on offense, trailing by over 30 points with only three minutes left, it would be almost impossible to come back. After all, the offensive capabilities of the M Nation National Team were well-known.

When Brooks had devised this tactic on the sidelines, he had considered that Wade Dong had a 100% success rate on game-winning shots, and he didn't dare gamble that Wade Dong would miss this shot.

Asking a player who had single-handedly led the Chinese National Team to victory over the M Nation National Team to make a game-winning shot was like asking him to snap his fingers.

So, Brooks' tactic was to foul early and send Wade Dong to the free-throw line. Even if Wade Dong made both free throws, the Thunder would still have time for a final possession.

"Damn it!"

Gentry also muttered to himself, feeling that he had been outmaneuvered.

"Swish!"

Wade Dong made the first free throw.

Brooks, standing on the sideline, was ready to call a timeout!

With Wade Dong's free-throw percentage, there was no way he would miss the second one. Then, with 11 seconds left on the clock, Brooks could set up a complete offensive play.

After making the first free throw, the referee handed the ball back to Wade Dong for the second attempt.

Wade Dong turned his head and looked at Brooks on the sideline, then smiled, "Was this tactic your idea?"

"Um... Um?"

Brooks nodded subconsciously, then felt a bit nervous.

Then, Wade Dong bounced the ball a couple of times and threw it towards the basket!

"No!"

Durant, seeing the shooting motion, shouted, "Go for the rebound!"

However, most of the players reacted a bit slowly, and Wade Dong's shot was fast. The ball hit the front of the rim and bounced right back into Wade Dong's hands.

After catching the ball, Wade Dong turned and ran towards the three-point line!

"Don't let Wade Dong shoot!"

Brooks shouted from the sideline, "And don't foul!"

Brooks' defensive strategy was unexpected, as he chose to foul early and send Wade Dong to the free-throw line while leading by one point.

But Wade Dong's free throw was even more unexpected.

He made the second free throw, giving the Suns a one-point lead, but he intentionally missed the third one, which was why the other players didn't react in time.

Durant rushed over to defend Wade Dong.

At this point, they couldn't foul again. If they did, and Wade Dong made both free throws, the Suns would lead by two points. The Thunder would need to make a three-pointer to force overtime.

The only option was to stop Wade Dong's game-winning shot and take the game to overtime.

"Swoosh~"

"Swoosh~"

Wade Dong made two quick crossovers and, with 1.3 seconds left in the game, pulled up for a fadeaway three-pointer!

After releasing the shot, Wade Dong fell to the ground!

For the Thunder fans, this moment felt like an eternity as the ball traced a beautiful arc in the air.

"Swish!"

The ball went through the net!

The game was over!

Suns won 106-103!

Wade Dong had ended the game with a three-pointer.

"Damn!"

"..."

"Fuck!"

The away fans exploded with profanities!

Just as they had seen a glimmer of hope, Wade Dong killed their dreams once again.