Chapter 225: Huaxia Men's Basketball is Getting Stronger

Fans gradually filled the arena, and the players warmed up with shooting drills.

Dudley and Morris stood together, chatting, when Wade Dong sneaked up behind them and hugged them.

"Hey, Dong Ge!"

Dudley turned and bumped chests with Wade Dong.

"You guys are familiar with this court, right?"

Wade Dong joked, "You could have won the championship here."

"Hahaha..."

Dudley laughed, but there was a hint of sadness in his smile. If he hadn't been traded, he might have won his second championship this year.

After a brief silence, Dudley said, "Dong Ge, it's the playoffs now. Don't go easy on us on the court."

"Huh?!"

Was Dudley hinting at something?

But even though they were brothers, Wade Dong wouldn't hold back in the game. He wouldn't even hesitate to dunk on Dudley.

Setting aside the management issues, the Warriors and the Suns players probably had the best relationship.

Curry and Thompson's trades didn't affect their friendship with their former teammates.

As for Dudley, Morris, and Dragic, they had an even better relationship with the Suns players. Wade Dong sometimes missed Bynum, as since his trade, Wade Dong often felt lonely on the court. The other teammates were too understanding, and he couldn't find an excuse to scold them.

...

The US Airways Center quickly filled up, and the fans were already cheering before the game started.

In Huaxia, the first round of the playoffs received as much attention as the Finals.

This wasn't just a game between the Warriors and the Suns; it was also a Huaxia derby, as two Huaxia players were the stars of their respective teams, and their teams were facing off in the playoffs for the first time in history.

Huang Yu was also very handsome, and since entering the public eye, he had gained a significant following.

The Warriors' starting lineup: Barnes, Bynum, Dragic, Huang Yu, and David.

The Suns' starting lineup: Wade Dong, Curry, McGrady, Green, and Gortat.

David Lee had been injured for several dozen games during the regular season but finally returned for the playoffs, adding to the Warriors' offensive firepower in the paint. With David and Huang Yu, the Warriors had improved significantly.

So, even against the league-leading Suns, the Warriors had a fighting chance.

"Beep!"

The referee blew the whistle, and the game began.

Bynum and Gortat jumped for the tip-off, and Bynum tapped the ball to Dragic.

"Defense! Defense! Defense!"

The game finally started, and the fans at the US Airways Center cheered.

The Suns were using a simple 2-3 zone defense, with Wade Dong and Curry on the perimeter and McGrady, Green, and Gortat in the paint.

So, after crossing half-court, Dragic faced Wade Dong's defense.

Wade Dong, who had achieved a quintuple-double, was like a mythical figure, and Dragic felt nervous when he saw him.

"Whoosh~"

Dragic didn't dare to hold the ball and passed it to Huang Yu.

Huang Yu drove to the basket and passed to David at the corner. David played the 4 position and had several strengths: agile footwork, good ball-handling, excellent court vision, and a well-rounded offensive game. He was the Warriors' star player at the time.

Facing Green's defense, David spun and shot a mid-range jumper.

"Swish!"

The ball went in cleanly.

0:2!!!

The Warriors took the lead.

David looked at Wade Dong with a hint of pride, but Wade Dong smiled and said, "This will be the only time you lead in the game."

"You beat a Warriors team without me."

David defended Wade Dong, trying to provoke him.

Playing against a superstar who had achieved a quintuple-double was exciting for David.

The Suns' offense.

Wade Dong dribbled to the frontcourt, and Green set a screen for him. Wade Dong easily got past Huang Yu and, with a flick of his wrist, passed the ball to Curry at the three-point line.

"Clang~"

Curry's first shot missed.

At that moment, Bynum, David, and Gortat, the three big men, were all in the paint, ready to fight for the rebound.

But... after seeing Curry's miss, Wade Dong rushed to the paint.

"Bang!"

Wade Dong grabbed the rebound from the three big men.

Without landing, he immediately went for a layup.

"Swish!"

The ball went in cleanly.

"MVP! MVP! MVP!"

The US Airways Center erupted in cheers.

2:2!!!

Wade Dong signaled to Gortat to help Green defend David.

As expected.

On the Warriors' second possession, the ball was passed to David again, who received it and turned for a fadeaway jumper.

But Gortat and Green both rushed to defend him.

"Clang~"

The shot was disrupted and bounced off the rim.

Wade Dong grabbed the rebound.

All the Suns players quickly ran to the frontcourt, a key aspect of their run-and-gun offense. Wade Dong dribbled and passed to Curry, then cut to the basket.

Curry understood Wade Dong's intention and threw the ball towards the basket. Wade Dong leaped, caught the ball in the air, and slammed it home.

"Bang!"

The alley-oop dunk was successful.

4:2!!!

Despite David's return, the Warriors struggled to keep up with the Suns' pace.

The teams traded baskets.

With three minutes left in the first quarter, the Suns subbed out their starters.

Nash, Thompson, Tucker, Middleton, and Frye came in!

Another five-for-five substitution, leaving only Warrick and Whiteside on the bench.

After the subs came in, Nash, Thompson, and Middleton each hit a three-pointer.

27:16!!!

The lead was now 11 points.

Huang Yu had just rested for a minute but was sent back in by Jackson.

In the first quarter, the Warriors' best performers were Huang Yu and David, who had just returned from injury. Jackson was still controlling David's playing time, so he didn't put him back in after his brief rest.

As soon as Huang Yu returned to the court.

He drove to the basket, overpowering Tucker, and completed a 2+1.

"Swish!"

After making the free throw, Huang Yu had scored 10 points in the first quarter.

27:19!!!

The lead was down to 8 points.

...

In the Huaxia live broadcast room.

Yu Jia, "Huang Yu has brought so many surprises to Huaxia fans."

Zhang Zhiyuan, "Since becoming a starter, Huang Yu has gradually learned to control the game's rhythm."

Yu Jia, "I can't wait to see Huang Yu and Wade Dong play together on the national team."

"Me too."

Zhang Zhiyuan said, "Huaxia men's basketball is getting stronger."