Chapter 26: Using the Enemy's Tactics Against Them

The second half began with Scola scoring consecutively in the paint.

Scola was once a teammate of Yao Ming, and Chinese fans were very familiar with this player. His footwork in the paint was excellent, and in this game, he seemed to have the upper hand against the Suns' interior defense.

The score gradually narrowed, and Gentry had to call a timeout.

During the timeout, Wade Dong said, "Coach, I'll guard Scola!"

"You?"

Gentry looked at Wade Dong in surprise, "You're already very tired. Leave the defense to your teammates."

Wade Dong said, "I can do it. I can't let him be so arrogant."

"Alright."

Gentry nodded and rearranged the tactics.

...

In the CCTV broadcast booth.

Yu Jia, "Defense has always been a weakness for the Suns. Facing the experienced Scola, there's no good solution."

Coach Zhang, "If this problem isn't solved, the Suns are in danger in this game."

Yu Jia, "Coach Zhang, who do you think Gentry will assign to guard Scola after the timeout?"

Coach Zhang, "Gortat, I guess. Although he lacks defensive experience, he has the height."

...

After the timeout, the Rockets' strategy remained the same, spreading the floor and letting Scola go one-on-one in the paint.

When Scola received the ball in the paint, Lopez pulled out to the perimeter, and Wade Dong stepped in to guard Scola!

"Wade Dong is guarding Scola?!"

"Wade Dong is only 6'6", and his height disadvantage against Scola is obvious."

"Can he guard Scola?"

Seeing Wade Dong actively defending Scola, the fans were shocked. What kind of strategy was this?

"Hmm?!"

Scola, facing Wade Dong, was clearly uncomfortable.

His skill was his footwork in the paint, which was very effective against slower big men. Suddenly facing the faster but shorter Wade Dong, Scola's advantage in footwork was gone.

However, Scola's basketball IQ was very high.

He hesitated for a moment and then chose the safest option, a back-to-the-basket move!

Especially since Wade Dong's physique looked slender compared to the muscular Scola, Scola thought that Wade Dong's strength wouldn't be enough. So, pushing against Wade Dong, Scola started to force his way into the paint!

"Hmm..."

"Uh..."

"Mmm..."

After three attempts, Wade Dong didn't budge!

This feeling was like facing some of the NBA's powerhouses. Scola was stunned! Wade Dong's strength was so great?

Since the back-to-the-basket move didn't work, Scola decided to fake and then shoot directly!

Unfortunately, his move was already seen through by Wade Dong. As the ball was released, Wade Dong jumped, his fingers touching the ball, and it hit the rim!

"Rebound!"

Several big men rushed to the basket, jumping to fight for the rebound.

But Wade Dong was faster because he was already under the basket. He quickly jumped and grabbed the ball, starting a fast break.

Yu Jia, "Wade Dong really defended him!"

Coach Zhang, "Scola's footwork in the paint was greatly reduced in effectiveness against the faster Wade Dong."

This was just what they saw. Scola felt it even more clearly. What really made his moves useless was Wade Dong's terrifying strength. After three consecutive pushes, Wade Dong didn't budge.

Wade Dong was the focus of the Rockets' defense.

So, it was difficult for him to get easy scoring opportunities again. Thompson's shooting was only effective when there were star teammates around.

Wade Dong's first game, where he scored 37 points in a single quarter, was due to it being his first appearance in the NBA. Everyone treated him as a rookie, so they didn't focus on defending him. Plus, Wade Dong's incredible shooting touch that game created the legend of 37 points in a single quarter.

"Hmm..."

Scola scoring four consecutive times in the paint against the Suns made Wade Dong a bit unhappy.

Since he now had 10 talent points, he decided to exchange them for a Scola footwork package.

Wade Dong dribbled to the frontcourt and passed the ball to Hill. Hill, unable to find a good scoring opportunity, saw Wade Dong calling for the ball in the paint and passed it back to him.

Wade Dong received the ball, and Camby came up to guard him closely.

"Wade Dong is going to play in the paint?"

Yu Jia was surprised in the broadcast booth, "I haven't seen Wade Dong play in the paint before."

Then Yu Jia saw Wade Dong turn left, then right, and push his way under the basket. With his right foot as the pivot, he made a quick turn with his left foot, and before he even made a shooting motion, Camby was already faked out!

Then Wade Dong made an easy hook shot.

"Great shot!!!"

The Suns' bench erupted!

All the substitutes jumped from their seats, shouting and waving their towels! Wade Dong used Scola's move to score against the Rockets, which was the most morale-boosting.

"This..."

Scola widened his eyes. This wasn't his signature footwork in the paint?

This was his unique skill that dominated the NBA. When did Wade Dong learn it? And he used it even more smoothly and skillfully than Scola himself!

Here, Scola failed to score against Wade Dong again.

When it was the Suns' turn to attack, Wade Dong called for the ball in the paint again!

The fans watching the live broadcast all jumped up, staring intently at this scene. They hoped to see Wade Dong use Scola's footwork to score again.

Wade Dong did not disappoint the fans!

With two quick steps in the paint, he faked out Camby again and made an easy layup!

The third time...

The fourth time...

The fifth time, after Wade Dong faked out Camby again, the frustrated Camby pulled Wade Dong down.

"Beep!!!"

The referee blew the whistle, 2+1!

Wade Dong stepped up to the free-throw line, bounced the ball twice, and smiled at Scola, "Idol, these five points are a gift for you."

Scola's face turned dark. He finally experienced Wade Dong's arrogance!

"Swish!!!"

Wade Dong calmly made the free throw.

62:77!!!

The lead was extended to 15 points, with not much time left in the third quarter.

Although the Rockets managed to score a few more times, the 15-point lead was maintained until the end of the game.

With one minute left in the fourth quarter, Wade Dong finally left the game!

Even the fans at the Toyota Center stood up and applauded, shouting, "MVP! MVP! MVP!"

After Yao Ming, the fans in Houston witnessed another outstanding Chinese player.

The game ended with Wade Dong's stats: 37 points, 17 rebounds, 13 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks.

In his fourth NBA game, Wade Dong recorded a triple-double of 37+17+13, leading the Suns to a four-game winning streak. The Suns moved up to ninth place in the Western Conference, just two wins behind the eighth-place Jazz.