Chapter 95: Carlos's crucial rebound and Curry's key three-pointer
The Western Arena.
"Beep beep!"
Coach Gentry quickly called for a timeout.
"What the hell?!"
"Oh my god, a deep three-pointer hits? Kobe... this guy, why doesn't he just fly, 4 points difference, my Suns are finished tonight."
"It's over!"
"Sigh... this three-pointer, my heart is collapsing right now!"
"Kobe is truly a beast!"
In the stands...
Suns fans sighed, scratching their heads, one by one falling into panic. They all knew that trailing by 4 points with only 37.4 seconds left was really dangerous.
"Haha!"
"Kobe is awesome—"
"See, this is Kobe Bryant, this is the 'Black Mamba,' the man who hit 12 three-pointers and scored 60 points in the last game!
Only he... could hit such a life-threatening three-pointer. I declare... the Suns' 16-game winning streak is over, ended by the Lakers with Kobe."
"Big brother is mighty and domineering!"
"A team led by a rookie center, how strong can it be? Watch as my Kobe shoots down the Suns!"
"Hahaha, bro, you're good with words."
"Agreed!"
Amid the excited cheers of Lakers fans, it was already a celebration of victory.
"Are we going to lose?!"
"Although I'm a Kobe fan, but... tonight, I really wanted the player in the '0' jersey of the Suns to win—"
Angelina Jolie and Taylor Swift's fair faces both showed concern.
Their eyes were also focused on the court, on the player wearing the '0' jersey—on Carlos.
"Can the Suns still win?!"
David Robinson looked at Jabbar, who frowned and thought for a moment before saying, "In theory, there's still a chance. Score in one attack, quickly defend the next, score in one attack again. There's a chance to catch up. But... it's very difficult, especially against the defending champion with a strong defense. I think the Suns' hope of a comeback is very slim."
"Yeah..."
David Robinson nodded, almost in line with his thoughts.
"Too bad!"
Olajuwon pursed his lips and said, "Carlos hit 13 three-pointers tonight, creating history, but unfortunately, there's no victory to embellish it. It's a pity..."
"Indeed..."
Jabbar agreed, then smiled faintly, "But it's still good. Carlos is just a rookie, facing the defending champion Lakers, facing Kobe who scored 60 points with 12 three-pointers in the last game.
Being able to keep the game competitive until the last minute is already very good. I believe... we just need to give Carlos a little more time to grow, and he will become a superstar in the top five, or even top three in the league!"
During the timeout, the three legendary centers of the older generation discussed. Although they praised Carlos, they leaned toward the Lakers for the victory.
Indeed...
After Kobe hit that life-threatening three-pointer, the current situation favored the Lakers completely.
However...
On the Suns' bench.
No player was giving up at this moment, and there was no reason to give up. Because... before this, Carlos had already staged several game-winning performances, and tonight he hit 13 three-pointers, scoring 63 points.
His shooting was hot!
For Carlos alone, with 37.4 seconds and a 4-point difference, there was a real opportunity. What everyone needed to do was believe in Carlos.
"Beep beep!"
Coming back from the timeout...
Suns' possession, the final 37.4 seconds of the offense... begins.
Carter inbounded from the sideline at the midcourt, Nash came out to receive, faced Fisher, suddenly accelerated straight to the basket, as if trying to snatch two points.
As Nash rushed to the left high position, drawing Pau Gasol's double defense, he suddenly passed back to the top of the arc, giving the ball to Carlos.
"Hehe!"
Pau Gasol's mouth curled up slightly. He knew the Suns' tactics from the beginning; it had to be for Carlos. Pretending to double-team, he moved up when Nash passed the ball.
Closing in with Artest, the two of them once again blocked Carlos.
"I knew you would attack, but I won't give you a chance!"
In a cold snort, Artest stared at Carlos. Carlos, receiving the ball, took a cross step backward, trying to create some space with Artest. However, there was no way he would be given an opportunity.
Even though Carlos was two meters away from the three-point line at the top of the arc, Artest still closed in, and Pau Gasol closely monitored from the side.
"Tsk tsk..."
In the stands...
LeBron couldn't help but click his tongue and said, "It's really hard to imagine that in the critical moment, a center is attacking from the outside. What's even more unimaginable is... Carlos, this center, standing two meters outside the three-point line, and the defender dares not lose position. This scene is truly magical."
"Yeah..."
Wade nodded, his gaze fixed on Carlos, "He hit 13 three-pointers. No, Carlos is not a center at all. He is a 'stone-faced shooter' wearing the facade of a center."
On the court...
Seeing no opportunity for a three-pointer, Carlos immediately made a gesture, and Curry stepped up for a screen. Pau Gasol was under the basket. Carlos hesitated for a moment, then accelerated toward the basket.
"Swoosh!"
Artest followed, and the two of them rushed towards the basket. The Lakers' defense immediately collapsed. When Carlos entered the paint, he faced a heavy blockade from Fisher, Carter, Artest, and Bynum.
As long as Carlos dared to shoot, he would undoubtedly be ruthlessly blocked.
So...
"Splash!"
Carlos passed the ball sideways, performing a pick-and-pop with Curry at the top of the arc. Curry caught the ball without hesitation and took a three-pointer.
Did it go in?!
"Clang!"
It didn't! Suns fans were extremely disappointed. However, Carlos, with an incredible personal jump, tapped the rebound out.
"Smack!"
"Splash!"
Curry once again received a pass from Carlos, without looking at the basket, he decisively raised his hand for a three-pointer.
"Swoosh!"
This one pierced through the net, a three-pointer made.
"Boom!"
The arena erupted in thunderous cheers.
Carlos's crucial rebound and Curry's key three-pointer brought the Suns back to life, narrowing the gap to 1 point, and there were still 19.3 seconds on the clock.
One successful defensive play and another successful offensive play, and they could take the lead.
The Suns... had a chance for a comeback!
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