13 three-pointers
The game resumed. Both starting lineups were back on the court. The Suns led by 1 point, and the Lakers had possession.
Kobe, at the top of the arc, held the ball. However, the electrifying cheers in the arena belonged to the Suns, to Carlos, who had just made 10 three-pointers and scored 54 points. Kobe's sharp eyes, akin to the Black Mamba, focused intensely on the court. The desire for victory made him completely serious.
Facing Carter, Kobe hesitated with the ball in his left hand, accelerated with a step, abruptly stopped, accelerated again, rhythmically changed pace, eluded Carter, and attacked the basket from the left wing.
"Swoosh!"
In mid-air, he dodged Frye's block, making a bank shot.
"Powerful!"
"At a crucial moment, you still have to rely on the Black Mamba's offense!"
"With this mid-range shot, Kobe's score tonight has surpassed 40."
Transitioning from offense to defense...
Nash quickly pushed the ball, abruptly stopping at the top of the arc. At this moment, Carlos sprinted to the low right side, and Artest and Pau Gasol rushed over to defend. Nash took the opportunity to pass the ball to Carter in the left corner.
"Swoosh!"
He lifted his hand for a three-pointer.
Fisher rushed over to interfere.
"Clang!"
No... the rebound was grabbed in the battle between Bynum and Frye. The ball was directly passed to Kobe at the perimeter.
Charge!
Kobe, like a black Harley motorcycle, sprinted quickly. However, Carlos's reaction was not slow. On the other side, he also sprinted at full speed. The two almost reached the basket at the same time. Kobe's peripheral vision caught Carlos right beside him.
"Swoosh!"
Kobe decisively passed the ball behind him.
Pau Gasol followed up, received the ball after a free throw line, and easily made a layup, completing the fast break.
"The Lakers are still strong. This offensive and defensive play perfectly shows the essence of champions. They've scored 4 points in a row, leading by 3 points, regaining the advantage."
In the audience stands...
LeBron spoke, and Wade nodded, saying, "Defense is the fundamental to winning; it's an eternal truth. Honestly, it's similar to our style."
"Yes..."
LeBron agreed, not denying, "The outside world says we are invincible, but in reality, our coordination is still in the adjustment period. However, with the powerful defense from you, me, and Bosh, forcing opponents into mistakes, or struggling to attack, we can launch a counterattack fast break. This is our current winning strategy."
"Exactly..."
Wade also agreed with a faint smile, "However, our adjustment period is gradually shortening. I think... it won't be long before we become even stronger!"
On the court...
Curry dribbled and, taking advantage of Carlos's screen, rushed to the right arc, attempted a three-pointer, but the force was too strong, and the ball bounced off the rim.
Rebound?!
Under the fierce battle between Bynum and Frye under the basket, Pau Gasol seized the opportunity to bat the ball away, sending it to Fisher at the top of the arc.
However...
"Swoosh!"
Carlos, leaping high like a lion, intercepted the ball before Fisher, took a step back, and attempted a three-pointer.
"Continuously shooting three-pointers?!"
Mario had been eagerly anticipating this moment for a long time. However, Carlos missed this shot as well. Nevertheless, the unexpected thing was that Curry managed to grab the rebound.
"Swoosh!"
Passing the ball again...
"Looking for Carlos outside the three-point line. Oh... Carlos catches the ball, very decisively takes another shot, even though Old Fish fiercely contested this time. However... Carlos jumped too high. The basketball flew out, and this shot... went into the basket! Good shot! Carlos once again made a three-pointer, tying the score, and it's his 11th three-pointer of the game."
Mario excitedly exclaimed, and Jose also shook his head repeatedly, amazed by Carlos's consecutive three-pointers tonight.
"My goodness!"
"11 three-pointers, what kind of center can achieve this?!"
In the audience stands...
Even David Robinson, a legendary star of the older generation, was left wide-eyed and shaking his head in amazement by Carlos's precise three-pointers, one after another.
"That's right!"
"Skyhook" Jabbar pushed up his glasses and exclaimed, "So accurate! Carlos, as a center, his three-point shooting is incredible. If we had such a strong three-point shooting ability back in our days, I believe my career scoring record would have surpassed 40,000."
"Hehe!"
Olajuwon chuckled and said, "Indeed, with Carlos's precise three-pointers, I think my total points would easily surpass 30,000!"
David Robinson, still in shock, had no mood for jokes. He stared at Carlos on the court and exclaimed, "Look, Carlos is holding the ball beyond the three-point line again. He has already made 11 three-pointers tonight. If he makes one more, he will tie Kobe and Marshall's joint record of 12 three-pointers in a single game! Wow, look, Carlos is shooting again. This is a brutal three-pointer facing the defense of Artest and Pau Gasol. This shot... bang! It went in again! Unbelievable! Carlos has once again made 3 consecutive shots, hitting the 12th three-pointer, tying the single-game three-point record, and all this as a center. My God! This is truly magical!"
David Robinson was completely shocked, his mouth, which was getting larger and larger, could almost fit a football.
"Hahaha!"
Olajuwon was also excitedly laughing, Jabbar was the same, and he even said, "In my opinion, Carlos, who made 12 three-pointers, is not a center! He is a tall sharpshooter!"
Boom!
Not only these three legendary centers but the entire arena was stunned by Carlos's 12 consecutive crazy three-point show, causing screams and roars.
The home atmosphere instantly exploded!
"12 three-pointers, 60 points! Tonight, Carlos not only ties Kobe and Marshall's joint single-game three-point record, but he also scores 60 points, officially entering the 60-point club," Mario exclaimed.
Jose shouted, "Yes, Carlos tonight has replicated Kobe's explosive performance from last night, but Kobe is the 'First Man in the League,' and Carlos is just a rookie. Such replication... Carlos... is truly outstanding."
"Well done!"
While the two were excitedly speaking, the on-court battle continued. The home atmosphere was exploding, with Carlos's 12 three-pointers, overturning a 3-point deficit, he had firmly seized control of the momentum and rhythm of the game.
However, the defending champions seemed unimpressed. Kobe pushed forward, asked for a screen, faced Nash, and stopped for a three-pointer, leaning backward for the shot.
"Swoosh!"
A three-pointer hit...
In the moment of the Suns' highest morale, he responded positively. This was the "Black Mamba," the true strength of the "First Man in the League"!
Tied again!
Curry quickly passed the ball, and Carlos advanced with the ball. Artest stared at Carlos, but Carlos didn't even glance at him. He pushed forward, to the right arc, and beyond the three-point line, at least 2 meters away.
Glancing at the basket, then...
"Swoosh!"
Carlos shot again, directly releasing the ball. Despite Artest's desperate attempt to block the shot, it was a long three-pointer under defensive coverage.
Almost in the instant Carlos released the ball, countless fans in the arena, with excited expressions, stood up, raising their hands, ready to cheer in the next moment.
"Swoosh!"
A crisp sound of penetration echoed.
The three-pointer pierced the net.
Immediately after...
Boom!
Deafening cheers reverberated through the arena!