Chapter 511: The Five-Double Law?

In the first half, the Suns had three diving saves.

In addition to Green, Tucker and McCollum each had one, especially Tucker's dive, where he ended up falling onto the technical table.

Seeing his teammates' determination, even Wade Dong couldn't help but feel the urge to join in.

"This game is a bit challenging for us, but I see the determination to win in everyone's eyes."

Whenever Gentry spoke, the players were inspired.

...

The second half began.

After a brief adjustment, the Rockets regained their momentum.

Harden and Paul unleashed their outside shooting, constantly driving and either taking mid-range or three-point shots.

81:93!!!

In less than five minutes into the third quarter, the Rockets scored 21 points, extending their lead to 12.

"Timeout!"

This time, Dong signaled Gentry to call a timeout.

"Yeah!"

As the Rockets players came off the court, the substitutes all went up to high-five Harden and the others.

The Rockets' offense in these five minutes was like a well-oiled machine, and they avoided direct confrontation with Dong.

Gentry asked, "Dong, do you want to defend the outside?"

"No!"

Dong shook his head. Even if the Rockets were dominating, he couldn't abandon the paint.

There's a famous saying, right? He who controls the paint controls the game. This saying might have originated from a comic, but it makes sense.

"We'll defend to attack. If the Rockets want to go toe-to-toe with us, let's do it!"

Dong looked at Dinwiddie, "If you get a chance to shoot, can you be decisive?"

"Yes!"

Dinwiddie's answer was firm.

"Good."

Dong turned to Green, "For the rest of the game, you'll also defend the outside. Keep harassing Harden and disrupt his shots."

"On offense, shoot with confidence. Don't worry about the paint, no matter how many big men the Rockets have there. The paint is mine."

Confidence comes from strength. If anyone else said this, it would be boasting, but when Dong says it, it's not.

...

The timeout ended.

The Suns had the ball. Dinwiddie was left open, and Curry passed him the ball.

"Swish!!!"

Dinwiddie caught the pass and shot, the ball going straight through the net.

84:93!!!

"Get back on defense!"

Dong didn't give Dinwiddie time to celebrate. "Let's go!"

The Rockets had the ball. Green pulled out to defend Harden, a very unconventional defensive tactic, with four players outside and only Dong inside.

This was like telling the Rockets to dare to attack the paint.

Green's defense made Harden uncomfortable. Harden tried to shake him off, but Green kept harassing him, preventing him from receiving the pass.

Paul passed to Ariza.

Capela and Brewer were both in the paint, meaning Dong was defending both big men. In this situation, Ariza didn't dare pass inside and instead faced McCollum, forcing up a three-pointer.

"G~~~"

The ball hit the rim, and Dong grabbed the rebound again.

D'Antoni was shocked, "If Dong wants to be the rebound king, he can definitely do it."

Dong dribbled past half-court and passed to Curry, then went to the paint. Curry received the ball and took a three-pointer.

"Swish!!!"

The ball went straight through the net.

With the assurance of rebounds, the Suns players' confidence in shooting also increased.

The Rockets inbounded the ball. Brewer received the pass and wanted to pass to Paul, but Dong, who had already crossed half-court, suddenly turned back and sprinted at full speed, appearing in front of Paul and stealing the ball.

"That's his fifth steal!"

Varick quickly pulled out the stats sheet.

Realizing his pass had been stolen, Brewer positioned himself in the paint, trying to draw an offensive foul.

But how could he succeed...

Dong had jumped over Bogut, and now he jumped over Brewer from a step away, flying over Brewer's head once again.

"Clang!!!"

The entire backboard shook.

"You should've dodged that..."

Dong landed behind Brewer and whispered.

Brewer's face turned ashen... He was going to be famous, appearing on the top plays of the year and being talked about for years to come.

89:93!!!

The Suns were now only down by 4 points.

Dong's risky defensive strategy was paying off. Even with only Dong in the paint, the Rockets didn't dare pass inside, and Curry, McCollum, Dinwiddie, and Green could contain Harden and Paul.

On offense, although Dinwiddie was just a rookie, he was more decisive than Tucker.

The Suns gradually took control of the game's rhythm.

107:101!!!

With less than a minute left in the third quarter, the Suns had turned a 12-point deficit into a 6-point lead.

"Timeout!"

This time, D'Antoni called the timeout.

D'Antoni was furious, "What's wrong with you? There are only two people in the paint, and you're afraid to pass inside?"

"Capela and Brewer, you two come out and set screens for Harden. Harden, after you drive, try to draw Dong's defense, then pass to Capela, and Capela can easily lay it in."

D'Antoni couldn't understand. Harden and Paul were among the smartest players in the league.

How could they get stuck? Just because Dong was guarding the paint, they stopped attacking it? If you shoot near the three-second zone, Dong will have to come out to defend, right?

Once Dong comes out, won't Capela and Brewer have their chance?

...

"Dong, you already have 9 assists, 6 steals, and 7 blocks."

Varick reminded Dong as he came off the court, "There's one more quarter. If you get 1 more assist, 4 steals, and 3 blocks, you can create another five-double miracle!"

Dong shook his head, "The victory of the game is more important than stats! If we get a five-double but lose the game, the five-double becomes a mockery."

Varick said, "But every time you get a five-double, we have a 100% win rate!"

"Are you kidding me?!"

All the teammates rolled their eyes at Varick.

Varick was just flattering Dong. Dong had only gotten one five-double, and the win rate wasn't 100%, was it?

Only Gentry said, "I think Varick has a point. Truth needs to be tested in practice. Why don't we let Dong get a five-double first and then verify if this law is true?"

"Agreed!"

Everyone nodded, "We just don't know if the Rockets will give us the chance."

...

The timeout ended, and there were only 57 seconds left in the third quarter.