Chapter 433: 11 Consecutive Points, Leaving the Opponent in Despair

"So..."

Alvin Gentry paused, then continued, "The fourth quarter is the decisive moment. As long as we can stabilize the game in the third quarter and prevent the point difference from widening, 11 points is nothing. We can take the lead with just four three-pointers. "

"Everyone, have some tea..."

Alvin Gentry wasn't worried about losing the game at all; he was even offering tea to his players.

Wade Dong remained reclined, eyes closed, as he recalled the Heat's tactics in the first half, with Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony as the primary offensive options.

LeBron James' main role on the court was to contain Wade Dong. As long as Wade Dong didn't go on a scoring spree, James would consider his task accomplished, an even exchange!

Was this Erik Spoelstra's strategy?

It had to be said that the effect was quite evident. Even if Wade Dong could guess their intentions, he wouldn't abandon his defense against James in the second half. Besides Wade Dong, the Suns had only Kevin Durant who could defend James one-on-one, but even his defense wasn't as good as Wade Dong's.

Explode or drag out the game?

This was a dilemma, as the Suns were already trailing by 11 points, a dangerous situation.

In the away team's locker room, LeBron James was icing his knees. Like Wade Dong, he had played the entire first half. Among the two teams, only three players had played the entire first half: James, Chris Paul, and Wade Dong.

James and Wade Dong's mutual restraint resulted in a significant physical drain, no less than if they had been on the offensive.

"Our main players had almost no rest in the first half. We had no choice but to play this way. Hang in there, everyone. We've lost to the Suns for two years; we must win the championship this year."

"You are all top players in the league. In the second half, you need to manage your stamina well and avoid exhaustion at critical moments..."

"Let's go!"

Erik Spoelstra's brief words made seven or eight of the Heat's bench players lower their heads.

In the regular season, they still had plenty of playing time and not much competition. But in the playoffs, especially the Finals, the intensity of the games was different. Michael Beasley, James Jones, and Udonis Haslem were once decent players, even younger than Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter. However, this didn't prevent the Suns' bench from dominating them in just a few minutes.

...

The 15-minute break passed in the blink of an eye, and the second half began.

The Heat had the ball, and it was passed around among the players before reaching Carmelo Anthony. Anthony faked a move against Thompson, spun, and took a step back to create space for a mid-range shot.

"Swoosh!!!"

The versatile scorer, Anthony, hit another mid-range jumper.

52:65!!!

The point difference continued to widen... The Suns were now trailing by 13 points.

"Defense!"

"Defense!"

"Defense!"

The home crowd cheered for the Suns.

...

"The Heat have only turned the ball over twice so far, and their offensive efficiency is high. It's not easy to beat the Suns."

"The 'Melon Brother' is unstoppable. Thompson can't guard him."

"Brother Dong must step up and score. We can't let the lead get any bigger."

"Go Suns!"

...

The Suns were undoubtedly the favorite team in China.

While LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and Chris Paul were all popular in China, the entire Heat team combined couldn't match the popularity of Wade Dong. 

Chinese fans were all hoping for a Suns victory.

...

The Suns had the ball, and Stephen Curry dribbled it up the court, with Draymond Green setting a screen in the key. Curry repeatedly changed direction to shake off Paul and took a mid-range shot.

"G~~~"

The shot clanked off the rim.

Wade Dong broke free from James' defense, rushed to the basket, and grabbed the offensive rebound. As James closed in to defend, Wade Dong immediately passed the ball to Kevin Durant outside the three-point line.

Durant, with the ball, made a large front-body feint to create space and took a mid-range shot.

"Swoosh!!!"

The ball swished through the net.

54:65!!!

The Suns managed to keep the score close thanks to Wade Dong's offensive rebound and Durant's mid-range shot.

In the remaining time of the third quarter, Wade Dong continued to focus on defense, relentlessly fighting for rebounds and rarely participating in the offense. Even when he got the ball, he often chose to pass and set screens.

Chinese fans watched anxiously...

79:92!!!

The third quarter ended with the Suns still trailing by 13 points.

On the Heat's last possession, Wade Dong smiled at James, "Are you guys tired from playing like this?"

"..."

Wade Dong's smile made James feel inexplicably nervous.

...

During the timeout, Alvin Gentry drew up a play, "Hassan Whiteside in for Thompson, and Yi Nan in for Green. We must secure the rebound!"

Durant and Curry had already sat down to rest in the latter part of the third quarter. The only players who played the entire quarter were Wade Dong, Thompson, and Green.

"It's the crucial fourth quarter..."

Alvin Gentry put down the clipboard, "Give the ball to Brother Dong!"

...

The timeout ended.

Erik Spoelstra only gave Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh a brief rest, while James, Anthony, and Paul all stayed on the court. It seemed that two Heat players, James and Paul, were going to play the entire game.

"Seeking their own demise~"

Alvin Gentry smiled and said to the bench, "If we keep playing like this, even an iron man can't hold up. Moreover, we've never lost a game when my sister-in-law is watching from the sidelines."

"Huh?!"

Li Jiajia smiled, having overheard Gentry's comment.

The Suns had the ball, and Stephen Curry dribbled it up the court, looking for Wade Dong.

James stepped up to defend, but Wade Dong changed direction and broke through his defense.

Under the basket, Wade Dong faced the double-team defense of Haslem and Anthony but still managed to force a layup.

"Beep!!!"

The referee blew the whistle, indicating a defensive foul by Haslem. Wade Dong had scored against three defenders and made a 2+1, showcasing his MVP-caliber skills.

82:92!!!

After making the free throw, the Suns were only down by 10 points.

Subsequently, Durant intercepted a pass between Anthony and Haslem. Durant dribbled the ball up the court, and as James caught up to him, he threw the ball behind his back.

"Clang!!!"

Wade Dong followed up with an alley-oop dunk!

84:92!!!

Anthony missed another shot. He had only rested for a little over a minute, and his fatigue led to a decline in his shooting percentage.

Hassan Whiteside protected the rebound.

Wade Dong dribbled the ball up the court, facing Paul's defense, and took a three-pointer!

"Swoosh!!!"

The ball swished through the net again!

87:92!!!

The Heat inbounded the ball from the baseline, and as soon as James received it, Wade Dong stole the ball from him.

Haslem positioned himself under the basket, and as Wade Dong jumped, he tried to block the shot with both hands. Wade Dong took the opportunity to lean into Haslem and forced a layup, making a 2+1!

"Swoosh!!!"

90:92!!!

After making the free throw, the Suns were only down by 2 points.

The 13-point lead had evaporated, forcing Erik Spoelstra to call another timeout.

The US Airways Center erupted...

"MVP!"

"MVP!"

"MVP!"

These cheers were for Wade Dong.

In less than three minutes, Wade Dong scored 11 consecutive points, leading his team to narrow the gap to just 2 points, leaving the opponent in despair.