Chapter 515: Returning to the Top of the Scoring Leaderboard
The Miami Heat were not going to give up easily against the Phoenix Suns, who were short on players.
Every team has its own pride, and every player has their own pride.
Six minutes into the first quarter.
17:13!!!
Wade Dong was on fire tonight, already scoring 10 points with four shots made, while Stephen Curry added 5 points.
First timeout.
"Dwyane Wade has the ball at a 45-degree angle. Bosh, set a pick-and-roll, and after the pick, pass the ball to Beasley in the corner. Beasley, take the opportunity to drive to the basket and score..."
The Heat's head coach was drawing up the play.
On the Suns' side, Alvin Gentry also spoke up: "When defending, we must not leave any openings. Be mindful of help defense. For offense, just leave it to Dong."
"Old Alvin, you should at least set up some offensive tactics."
Wade Dong patted his forehead; Alvin Gentry was getting lazier and lazier.
"Tactics?!"
Alvin Gentry puffed out his chest, "Dong is my tactic."
"You old..."
Not only had Alvin Gentry become lazier, but he had also become shameless.
The timeout ended.
The Heat attacked, with Beasley receiving the pass from Bosh in the corner and driving to the basket for a reverse layup.
17:15!!!
This was a very successful offensive play.
On the Suns' side, Wade Dong had the ball and drove to the basket, passing the ball out to Stephen Curry beyond the three-point line.
"Swoosh!!!"
Stephen Curry raised his hand and sank a three-pointer, the ball swishing through the net.
With a depleted roster, the Suns' offensive options were limited, and Wade Dong and Stephen Curry had unlimited shooting rights.
The Heat controlled the pace, patiently playing a half-court game.
The Suns couldn't even use their run-and-gun tactics, as most of their offense was handled by Wade Dong and Stephen Curry, even diminishing Draymond Green's role.
51:47!!!
At halftime, the Suns led by only 4 points.
In the away team's locker room, the small golden statue that Riley had given to Wade Dong was being passed around among the teammates.
Everyone's eyes were filled with envy. Even a doll from the away team represented a form of honor.
Moreover, this small golden statue was made of pure gold and wasn't light... Even if it were to be exchanged for its weight in gold, it would still be worth a considerable amount.
"We need to execute our plays in the second half!"
With a slim lead at halftime, Alvin Gentry also stopped slacking off and took out his tactical board:
"On offense, if Draymond Green receives the ball, McCollum should run to the corner of the three-point line and immediately shoot upon receiving the pass!
If the Heat come to help defend, McCollum, pass the ball back to Dong or Curry..."
"Blah blah blah blah..."
The Heat had been using a zone defense in the first half. Whenever Wade Dong had the ball, a player would double-team him. Although Wade Dong eventually made the shot, it was still due to his individual ability, which Alvin Gentry was well aware of.
Because the score was not a blowout, Alvin Gentry, who was not just a coach who spouted motivational speeches, still needed to set up some tactics.
In the home team's locker room, Erik Spoelstra was also analyzing tactics with the players:
"In the second half, Dwyane Wade needs to increase his personal attacks and try to drive to the basket to create fouls."
"The Suns don't have many players available, so this is definitely our chance. By beating the Suns, we'll prove to the world that we can do it."
The second half began with the Suns on offense.
Wade Dong received the ball and was double-teamed by Dwyane Wade and Chalmers. Although Wade Dong had a chance to shoot under the double team, there was no need, as McCollum had already started moving. Wade Dong passed the ball to Draymond Green, who immediately passed it to McCollum.
"G~~~"
The play was executed, but McCollum missed the shot.
"It's okay if you miss; just take the shot decisively when you have the chance!"
Wade Dong comforted McCollum and ran back to defend.
Bosh protected the ball and passed it to Chalmers, who dribbled up the court. Dwyane Wade received the pass and drove to the basket for a powerful dunk.
"Wow!!!"
It had been a long time since Dwyane Wade had such an explosive dunk, and the atmosphere in the arena was instantly ignited.
51:49!!!
The Heat kept the score tight.
Wade Dong did not activate 'Kill God' mode, as he didn't want to embarrass the Heat too badly after receiving Riley's gift. He wanted to win the game, but there was no need to make the Heat lose too badly.
After Dwyane Wade's dunk, the Suns attacked.
Wade Dong ran back to the basket, and Stephen Curry threw the ball towards the hoop, with Wade Dong catching it in mid-air and dunking it with one arm.
Wade Dong's highest jump point had his forehead reaching above the hoop.
In the TNT studio, Charles Barkley and O'Neal were commenting:
O'Neal: "This is Wade Dong. Every casual dunk is a top-five play."
Barkley: "The inside game is too weak these days. When we played, we wouldn't let our opponents easily dunk on us."
O'Neal: "That's because you haven't faced Wade Dong. If he were on the court, he could easily blow you up."
Barkley: "I think you should ask Wade Dong for advice on how to improve your free throw percentage."
The tense score persisted until halfway through the fourth quarter.
97:95!!!
With 5 minutes and 37 seconds left in the game, the Suns led by 2 points.
A tense atmosphere began to spread throughout the court.
Chalmers' pass was intercepted by Wade Dong, who dribbled to the frontcourt and shot from the three-point line!
"Swoosh!!!"
The ball swished through the net.
Wade Dong's eyes instantly reassured Alvin Gentry, who took a sip from his thermos and sat back down on the bench, "He's here, he's here, and he's bringing the three-pointer with him..."
100:95!!!
As expected, Bosh's layup was then disrupted by Yi Nan, and Draymond Green grabbed the defensive rebound, passing the ball to Wade Dong.
Wade Dong dribbled to the frontcourt and hit another pull-up three!
"Swoosh!!!"
The ball swished through the net again.
103:95!!!
With just two three-pointers, Wade Dong began to take control of the game's rhythm.
The audience felt a sense of unease.
That familiar feeling returned... This was a court dominated by Wade Dong. It could be said that since entering the league, Wade Dong had played the most games here, aside from the Western Conference arena. Every year, they would come here for two games and then take home the championship trophy.
"Let's go; the outcome of this game is already decided."
Some fans were already preparing to leave.
"Buddy, does it matter who wins or loses? We're here to enjoy Dong's performance."
"You're a fan of Wade Dong, but I'm not."
Some fans grumbled, "I don't want to see the home team lose, especially not to the Suns. I hate this team."
"Then you go; I want to keep watching!"
"Yeah, Dong has already scored over 40 points, and I want to see him get to 50+."
After the previous game, Wade Dong's scoring average reached 28.3 points per game. If he could score 50 points in this game, he would return to the top of the scoring leaderboard.