Chapter 88: Jersey Swap! Crushing the Heat to Extend the Streak to 28 Wins
"Oh~~ my gosh!"
The Miami Heat fans erupted in cheers, thrilled to witness Tang Lei use Wade's signature "Euro Step" move against him. It was a showdown of finesse and skill, electrifying to everyone watching.
On defense, Tang Lei high-fived his teammates, while Wade stood momentarily surprised. From what he knew, Tang Lei had never used the Euro Step in an official game. Wade shook his head with a slight smile, murmuring, "This kid has been taking notes!"
With renewed determination, Wade took the ball up the court to face Tang Lei directly. Age may have tempered his physical prowess, but his refined game sense and rhythm remained sharp. With a well-timed hesitation, Wade feinted past Tang Lei to score a clean basket. Satisfied, Wade flashed a triumphant grin, only to see Tang Lei immediately respond with a three-pointer. Their back-and-forth continued in an intense duel, neither willing to concede an inch.
By the end of the first quarter, the score stood at 35-31, with the Warriors up by 4 points. Tang Lei, in just half a quarter, had poured in 15 points, while Wade kept pace with 13 of his own, looking like his prime self again. The two players' impressive showdown left Heat fans captivated.
As the second quarter began, both coaches, Kerr and Spoelstra, kept Tang Lei and Wade on the court to extend this thrilling face-off. However, as the game wore on, both players showed signs of fatigue, and their shooting percentages began to drop. Eventually, Wade shifted to a supporting role, opting for assists, while Tang Lei also eased off on direct attacks. The heated battle simmered down to a quieter, one-point game.
At a timeout, Coach Spoelstra subbed Wade out to an outpouring of applause from the fans, grateful for his exceptional performance. Coach Kerr followed suit, bringing Tang Lei off the floor, to a surprisingly warm response from Miami's crowd. Many fans even chanted, "Come home next year!" creating an unexpectedly heartfelt scene.
The game resumed, and by halftime, the Warriors had expanded their lead to 11 points. When the second half kicked off, both Tang Lei and Wade returned to the floor. By this point, Wade was visibly fatigued, while Tang Lei seemed to hit his stride. With Tang Lei, Curry, and Durant firing on all cylinders, the Warriors launched a devastating 28-11 run, leaving the Heat reeling and widening the lead to a stunning 27 points.
As the third quarter ended, the Warriors' starters "clocked out," having secured an insurmountable lead. Entering the fourth quarter, the 27-point gap turned the game into garbage time. Although the Heat's bench players fought bravely, they couldn't close the gap. Ultimately, the Heat conceded, putting in their full second unit, and the Warriors secured a commanding victory, extending their winning streak to 28 games.
Final stats revealed five Warriors players scoring in double figures: Tang Lei with 23 points, Curry with 19, Durant with 18, Thompson with 16, and Cousins with 15. For the Heat, Wade led with 20 points, Richardson with 18, Dragic with 15, and Whiteside with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
As the game wrapped up, players from both teams exchanged handshakes and congratulations. Wade, as the heart and soul of the Heat, became the center of attention. With cameras tracking his every move, Wade approached Tang Lei first. After a warm embrace, Wade removed his jersey, signaling his intention to swap jerseys with Tang Lei.
Honored, Tang Lei accepted this symbolic gesture, knowing how valuable Wade's jersey would be as a keepsake. After signing the jersey, the two completed the exchange. It had become a tradition in Wade's farewell season to swap jerseys with notable players after each game. Still, his choice to initiate this swap with Tang Lei sparked curiosity among fans and media alike. Was this Wade's way of showing his admiration for the emerging star?
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