Chapter 335: The Enhanced Version of Jordan

The second half begins. 

The Lakers' lineup: Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol, James Harden, and Steve Blake.

The Suns' lineup: Wade, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Hassan Whiteside.

Whiteside's importance to the Suns has been increasing, and his hard work has played a significant role in this.

Unfortunately, this year's rookie, Norrell, who could have contributed at the 5 position, was unexpectedly injured early in the season and needed to rest for 2-3 months. With such a long recovery time, Norrell won't have many opportunities to play after his return.

The Suns' offense.

Wade dribbled to the three-point line and passed the ball to Curry, who then passed it to Thompson.

"Whoosh~"

Thompson missed the three-pointer.

Whiteside positioned himself well and grabbed the offensive rebound from Howard.

After landing, Whiteside jumped again, attempting a putback, but his layup was blocked, and Howard grabbed the rebound.

"Brother Dong, I was wrong~"

Whiteside immediately apologized to Wade like a child who had made a mistake.

"Your decision was correct."

Wade patted Whiteside on the back of his head, "But your offensive skills are too poor. After the game, come back to the arena for extra practice!"

Whiteside nodded vigorously, "I understand, Brother Dong."

Being able to play at the start of the third quarter was an opportunity Wade gave to Whiteside, and he cherished it. 

Usually, the third quarter is when the main lineup plays, and even if it's not the main lineup, the player who gets the chance to play is Gortat, not Whiteside.

After grabbing the rebound, Howard passed the ball to Harden.

Harden dribbled straight to the frontcourt and passed to Kobe, who scored a layup.

This offensive transition took only 5 seconds, which was Mike D'Antoni's preferred pace.

Score: 63-59!!!

The Lakers trailed by only 4 points.

Then, Curry missed a three-pointer, and Howard grabbed the rebound, passing the ball to Kobe.

Kobe dribbled to the frontcourt and attempted a step-back three-pointer, but the ball hit the rim. Whiteside grabbed the rebound.

The game entered the third quarter, and with increased defensive intensity, the players' stamina began to decline, causing both teams' shooting percentages to drop gradually.

With 9 minutes left in the third quarter:

Score: 79-77!!!

The Lakers trailed by 2 points.

Both the Suns and the Lakers made substitutions.

In the third quarter, Wade replaced Green with Whiteside, and the effect was still good. Although it sacrificed Green's ability to support the offense, Whiteside did an excellent job protecting the basket.

In 9 minutes on the court, Whiteside had 0 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks, which was a very good stat line.

"You're doing great, brother~"

When Wade came off the court, he patted Whiteside on the back of his head and shook it vigorously.

Receiving praise from Wade, Whiteside's face lit up with a smile, "Thank you, Brother Dong~"

...

Wade and Whiteside came off the court together, and the Lakers also substituted Kobe. In the last few minutes of the third quarter, it was time for the starters to rest. 

The Lakers kept Gasol on the court, while the Suns had a pure bench lineup: Carter, McGrady, Gortat, Green, and Tucker.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Gentry substituted Curry for McGrady.

...

In the seventh minute of the fourth quarter, both teams had already brought their starters back on the court.

"Swish!!!"

With Kobe hitting a three-pointer.

Score: 93-95!!!

The Suns trailed the Lakers by 2 points.

The Lakers managed to take the lead again, thanks to Kobe's consecutive three-pointers. At this point, Kobe had already scored 31 points.

Despite the Suns trailing, Gentry wasn't worried. He even joked with the bench players, "Nowadays, there are very few teams in the league that can keep up with our Suns in the fourth quarter."

"That's for sure~"

Varick also smiled, "I didn't even get a chance to play."

The Suns' offense.

Wade quickly dribbled to the frontcourt and said, "Since the Lakers want to play a fast-paced game, let's do it!"

After Mike D'Antoni left the Suns, his small-ball style of play continued to influence the team, so these two teams had many similarities in their playing style.

Wade dribbled and passed to Durant on the move.

Durant received the ball, and Gasol came to defend him. Durant immediately passed to Thompson in the corner.

Thompson passed to Green, who then passed to Curry.

After four passes, Curry found himself with an open three-point opportunity.

"Swish!!!"

Curry lifted his hand and sank a three-pointer.

Score: 96-95!!!

The Suns regained the lead.

With 4 minutes and 39 seconds left in the game, Harden dribbled to the frontcourt. Thompson came to defend Harden, who made a between-the-legs dribble, faked a drive, and then tapped his right foot twice on the court, using a step-back move to get to the three-point line.

"Whoosh~"

With the open shot, Harden took the three-pointer without hesitation, but the ball hit the rim.

"Go for the rebound!"

Wade noticed that Kobe was rushing to the basket, so he turned and followed.

"Clap!"

Kobe grabbed the offensive rebound among the three big men in the paint, then jumped and went for a layup.

"Hmm?"

Before jumping, Kobe had noticed Wade rushing from behind, so in mid-air, he forcefully turned 180 degrees to avoid Wade's block and finished with a reverse layup.

"Swish!!!"

The ball went in smoothly.

When Kobe released the shot, the back of his head was facing the basket, and he avoided Wade's block in mid-air.

"Oh yeah~~~"

The Lakers fans erupted, chanting in unison, "MVP! MVP! MVP!"

Score: 96-97!!!

The Lakers took the lead again.

"Did I just become a background board?"

Wade furrowed his brows, surprised that the aging Kobe still had such strong core strength.

However, being a background board was something Brother Dong couldn't accept.

So, when Wade dribbled to the three-point line again, he signaled for a screen. He accelerated past Kobe, and when all four Lakers players collapsed into the paint, Wade took a one-step jump shot from the free-throw line.

In mid-air, he performed two consecutive pump fakes, and during the last pump fake, Wade's body seemed to pause for a moment.

Dodging the blocks of four defenders, Wade finished with a reverse layup.

"Swish!!!"

The ball went in smoothly.

Score: 98-97!!!

The Suns regained the lead.

This one-on-five play, with consecutive pump fakes in mid-air to dodge defenders, was something Wade had done before.

However, seeing it again, the Lakers fans fell silent.

"He's just an enhanced version of Jordan!"

At that moment, the Lakers fans couldn't help but think the same.