Chapter 407: Old friend, we can't let others look down on us.

"Oh ho ho~"

As soon as Carter came off the court, his teammates rushed to him. 

"There's still plenty of fuel in the tank," Wade Dong joked.

"Hahaha..."

Carter also burst out laughing. He was very satisfied with his steal and fast break dunk.

The Suns were all smiles.

Stotts, however, wore a sullen expression. If even old Carter could pull off a fast break windmill dunk, was this game still playable?

The Trail Blazers had won regular season games against the Lakers, Spurs, and Pacers, and even beat the five-star Heat in the latter part of the season.

With the addition of Gortat and Frye, the Trail Blazers had thought they could compete with the Suns. Now, it seemed a bit 'too young too simple'.

The usually reticent Frye spoke up, "We can't underestimate these veterans. Carter had a high-scoring performance of 31 points in the first round of the playoffs."

"Frye's right."

"No matter who's on the court, we can't let our guard down," Stotts said.

The Suns still had two players who hadn't played yet: Tucker and Barton. As for Varejao, he wasn't part of the regular rotation tonight. With almost everyone healthy, Varejao would be a true water boy this playoffs, perhaps without even a chance to enter the rotation.

...

The second quarter began. →

The Suns still had McGrady, Carter, Whiteside, Yi Nan, and McCollum on the court.

Gentry's substitution strategy seemed arrogant, but it also disrupted Stotts' defensive deployment, forcing him to react.

The Trail Blazers were forced to be passive.

The Trail Blazers attacked, and Frye hit a three-pointer from beyond the arc, assisted by Lillard.

31:25!!!

The Trail Blazers bench erupted in cheers, "Good job, Frye!"

This was Frye's importance to the Trail Blazers. With Aldridge off the court, Frye could fill the gap in the bench's offensive capabilities.

McGrady also responded with a smooth pull-up jumper.

Five minutes into the second quarter.

39:31!!!

The Trail Blazers still trailed the Suns by 8 points.

Wade Dong's five-man lineup entered the game!

The Trail Blazers also brought in their bench players, with their full starting lineup on the court. Lillard had been playing without a break.

Batum missed his shot, and Wade Dong boxed out for the defensive rebound.

All the players quickly ran to the frontcourt, with Wade Dong dribbling and organizing the offense.

"I will definitely defend you!"

Lillard spread his arms, defending Wade Dong one-on-one, also to encourage himself!

"Come on! Believe in yourself..."

Wade Dong was also moved by Lillard's spirit, and he turned and got past Lillard. →

Aldridge and Gortat both came out from under the basket, trying to stop Wade Dong's offense, but Wade Dong passed the ball to Durant.

"Bang!!!"

With an open basket, Durant rose up for a powerful dunk!

The Trail Blazers bench.

Robinson said to Frye, "I feel like Wade Dong's role has been weakened."

"Why do you say that?"

"Haven't you noticed? When Wade Dong is on the court, he plays more of a defensive role, just like a defensive version of Nash."

...

"Just a defensive version of Nash???"

Frye was taken aback, "Do you know how terrifying it would be if Nash had Wade Dong's defensive ability?"

"You're right..."

Robinson smiled awkwardly. Nash, who was not good at defense, had won two regular season MVPs. If Nash had the league's top defensive ability, he would be almost a perfect player.

"A player like Wade Dong, you feel like he hasn't shot much, but when you look at the stats, you'll find that his score has quietly reached 30."

Frye didn't understand. Robinson was also a veteran, yet he could say that Wade Dong only played a defensive role on the court.

Only when Wade Dong dunks on you will you realize that Wade Dong has been attacking all along?

The Trail Blazers' offense was also very aggressive, with Batum scoring twice by getting past Thompson and bringing the score back within 10 points.

...

57:53!!!

At the end of the first half, the Trail Blazers trailed by only 4 points.

Stotts felt much more at ease. In the locker room, he told his players, "No matter how strong a team's scoring ability is, they can only score one basket per possession. As long as we minimize our mistakes, we have a chance to win this game."

This was at the US Airways Center, the Suns' home court.

If the Trail Blazers could win a game here, their team morale would definitely soar! With that momentum, they might even win this series.

Gortat and Frye were silent.

Frye wanted to see the first half's stats, and when he saw Wade Dong's stats: 13 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks.

Wade Dong had played only sixteen minutes in the first half and already had such stats... But in some teammates' eyes, Wade Dong had no presence, and they said the Suns' lineup had weakened Wade Dong's role.

Durant, Curry, and Thompson's super scoring ability meant Wade Dong didn't need to shoot.

Frye also knew that the most terrifying Wade Dong was the one who appeared in the crucial moments... After two years in the league, Frye felt that Wade Dong had put away his sharp edge, but this Wade Dong was even more terrifying.

The Suns' locker room.

Gentry was making tea, while the other players surrounded Wade Dong.

Wade Dong said, "The Trail Blazers' first-half teamwork was very smooth, so in the second half, we'll start with full-court pressure defense, one-on-one, forcing the Trail Blazers to make mistakes."

"Yes!"

Gentry finished making the tea and agreed, "Our physical advantage is also a big advantage. With five-on-five, all players can get enough rest. The Trail Blazers boast about being a young team with energy? Well, we'll run them into the ground..."

Wade Dong threw down the tactical board, "Old Gentry, you're something else, with McGrady and Carter's old arms and legs, don't run them into the ground."

"Who do you think you're looking down on?"

"Who do you think you're looking down on?"

McGrady and Carter felt the malice from the East, and instantly blew their beards and glared.

Carter said, "I had a windmill dunk in the first quarter!"

"Didn't you see me block Lillard's shot?"

McGrady patted Carter, "Old friend, we can't let others look down on us."

"Yes."

"We'll show the Trail Blazers a thing or two in the second half..."

Gentry saw the fighting spirit in McGrady and Carter's eyes, and his eyes flashed.