Chapter 52: Domanation! Pull-ups, Steals, Rejections, and a 3+1

Siakam muscled his way into the paint, his athletic build and chiseled arms projecting raw power. Step by step, he forced Tang Lei backward, each step pushing Tang closer to the basket. Finally, with Tang positioned just inside the free-throw line, Siakam attempted to take one more step to secure his shot. But Tang seized the opportunity, reaching around his waist in a lightning-fast motion.

Smack!

The ball slipped from Siakam's hands, leaving him momentarily stunned. Tang didn't hesitate—he lunged forward, diving for the loose ball. Thompson, quick on his feet, sprinted toward the frontcourt. As Tang regained possession on the floor, he swiftly passed to Thompson, who soared in for an easy dunk.

25-29. The Warriors led by four.

"Nice!"

"Fantastic steal and assist!"

The Warriors' bench erupted with cheers. Coach Kerr's eyes lit up with satisfaction. Though Tang had contributed steals in past games, this time he faced an opponent with Siakam's physical edge and still managed to force a turnover. Tang's tenacity, and the sheer drive behind his dive, left a lasting impression.

Toronto returned on offense, and Siakam was determined to exploit his matchup with Tang Lei. Losing possession twice had stung his pride, and he set out to reclaim his dominance.

This time, he pulled Tang out beyond the three-point line, signaling for teammates to clear out—he wanted an isolation play. With the basket clear, Siakam made his move, charging hard to Tang's left side. Tang mirrored his shift, shuffling left, but Siakam suddenly feinted and cut to the right. Despite his size, his agility allowed him to quickly change direction.

But Tang stayed with him, shadowing his path to the rim. As Siakam drove in, he smiled, confident in his signature euro-step. Dodging Tang's reach, he swung to the opposite side for a layup, anticipating an uncontested shot. Yet, in a split second, Tang sprang into the air, reading Siakam's move perfectly. With impeccable timing, he grasped the ball mid-air, denying Siakam's layup with a stunning rejection.

He didn't just block it—he caught it.

Whoa!

The crowd, though Raptors fans, gasped at the jaw-dropping display of athleticism. Tang passed the ball to Green, who pushed it up the court. Toronto's transition defense was fast, but Green, spotting Tang trailing behind, lobbed the ball to him without hesitation.

With Siakam racing down to recover, Tang decided to make a play. As he crossed the three-point line, he stopped abruptly. Siakam, unable to halt his momentum, collided into Tang, who leaped, took aim, and released the shot in one smooth motion.

Whistle!

Swish!

The buzzer sounded just as the ball sailed through the net.

A 3+1 play.

"Hell yeah! That's the way to shoot!" Green and Iguodala rushed over, pulling Tang to his feet with celebratory slaps on the back. Meanwhile, Siakam stood in disbelief, his arms out in protest as he followed the referee, voicing his frustrations.

Beep! The referee assessed a technical foul on Siakam, whose frustration had now hit a breaking point.

Thompson took the free throw for the technical, sinking it with ease. Tang then followed with his own free throw, securing another point for the team.

25-34. The Warriors had surged to a 9-point lead, while the Raptors remained scoreless since Leonard and Lowry had left the floor.

Coach Nick Nurse promptly called a timeout, subbing out a visibly frustrated Siakam for Anunoby, a young defender with high energy and defensive prowess. Siakam had been thoroughly overwhelmed in those few minutes on the floor, as Tang Lei dominated with pull-ups, steals, blocks, and the critical 3+1.

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