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Chapter 645 - 277. The True Colors of a Killer! _3

Chapter 645: 277. The True Colors of a Killer! _3

After the timeout, the Suns sent out Nash, Barbosa, Gordon Kirilenko, Marion, and Stoudemire, while the Bobcats sent out Felton, Zhang Yang, Mike Miller, Hill, and Okafor.

The Suns attack, spreading out the space, Stoudemire receives the ball up close for an isolation play, dribbles continuously then steps back to the baseline for a close-range jump shot... It’s good!

The game shifts from offense to defense, the Bobcats also spread out the space, Okafor gets the ball in the low post and backs Stoudemire down, turns around for a hook shot and scores!

At this point, the wing players of both teams can only play a restraining role, as both teams spontaneously engage their stars in duels.

Son of the Wind + Little Overlord VS Bobcats’ Young Trio!

In the initial rounds, Son of the Wind and Little Overlord have the upper hand, the strength of the Suns is not just in team offense, as Nash and Stoudemire’s individual scoring abilities are top-notch in their respective positions, slightly dragging down Zhang Yang with the help from Felton and Okafor.

In 6 offenses, Nash and Stoudemire combined score 7 points, and with Kirilenko left open, catches and scores a three-pointer, Suns shooting 4 for 6, leading to a 10-6 run over the Bobcats who shot 2 for 4 plus 2 for 2 from free throws.

136-132, the Suns lead by 4 points with 2 minutes and 11 seconds left.

On the Bobcats’ offense, Felton drives inside, Stoudemire steps up, Marion also closes inside, Felton waits for a moment, Mike Miller streaks baseline to the opposite corner, Felton passes, Mike Miller catches the ball in the long two-point area, steps back a big step, corner three... He hits it!

135-136, the Bobcats cut the deficit to one point!

The game shifts again, Stoudemire sets a screen for Nash who cuts in, receives the ball and steps up for the layup... unable to push off the closing Felton, the layup is too weak, bounces off the rim, Felton grabs the defensive rebound!

Felton quickly passes to Zhang Yang, Zhang Yang starts a counterattack... blocked by Barbosa, a tactical foul, a smart choice as there have been very few fouls in the second half by either team.

Zhang Yang dribbles the ball, picks it up, tosses it to the referee, driving the slight irritation of a missed counterattack out of his mind, now was the time to be cool.

As they settle into position, Zhang Yang receives the ball up high, guarded by Barbosa, goes one-on-one!

Despite his fatigue, he has to take this shot!

Barbosa clings tightly, Zhang Yang spins and drives, Marion preemptively moves to double team, sure that Zhang Yang will take the shot himself.

Zhang Yang also anticipates their preemptive move, spins past Barbosa and grabs the ball in one step, leaps before Marion can fully close in, takes a long two...

In this shot, Zhang Yang is not in rhythm, relying purely on shooting ability, solely dependent on touch.

Luckily, though the power is slightly off, the direction is true! After brushing the inner rim, the ball falls through the net!

137-136, with 1 minute and 14 seconds left, the Bobcats take the lead by one over the Suns!

The game transitions again, Nash takes the ball upcourt, not as fast this time, last round from toss-in to Stoudemire’s missed layup took only 11 seconds, this time Nash takes 6 seconds just to cross halfcourt.

Reaching the top arc, Nash continues with a pick-and-roll with Stoudemire.

Zhang Yang predicts Nash will go it alone, gets screened by Stoudemire then circles out to the three-point line, blocks Nash as he comes off the screen set for a direct shot, with Okafor strategically stepping back to guard against Nash’s drive.

Zhang Yang’s prediction is accurate, after Stoudemire peels off, Nash, despite being double-teamed, opts not to pass but to drive!

Stoudemire, averaging only 33 minutes per game, has played 43 tonight, which is over the limit for him as he’s one of the few stars to have never played a full game.

Nash, relying on his astounding sense of rhythm, takes a step, pulls the ball back behind and steps to the right, briefly escaping the double-team trap set by Zhang Yang and Okafor, takes the ball, leaps, long two...

This shot, like Zhang Yang’s previous stop-and-pop, is not far different in terms of selection, but there’s a qualitative difference, Nash is still in rhythm!

Zhang Yang’s earlier shot was clearly a forced attempt, after which many fans closed their eyes and prayed.

But Nash’s shot is smooth and fluid, as it leaves his hand, even the opposing Bobcats’ players feel it would definitely go in.

Nash doesn’t disappoint his teammates or opponents, the long two swishes through the net!

Nash’s stats increase to 28 points and 16 assists, helping the Suns move ahead by one to 138-137!

Now the Bobcats’ offense, Zhang Yang receives the ball high up, before he starts his one-on-one, Nash immediately doubles up, with Marion also clustering to the elbow area to block Zhang Yang’s drive.

Zhang Yang spins to evade Nash’s stealing double-team, jumps... passes!

Felton, seeing Nash move to double-team Zhang Yang, immediately cuts in, receives the ball just as Marion moves over from the right elbow to block, and rather than rush the pass, uses his strong frame to drive two steps towards the baseline, creating a passing lane, throws a long pass to the right sideline... Mike Miller receives the ball, faces the charging Barbosa, shoots a three... It’s good!

For the past few minutes, Mike Miller has diligently worked to create space, not receiving the ball nor complaining, actively moving and seeking better shot opportunities until, in the final moments, the ball comes to him, and he makes two consecutive threes!