บท 424: Chapter 424: Duncan's Equalising Three-Pointer
The timeout was over.
The Suns put all their players with the highest free throw percentage on the court, with McGrady standing on the sidelines to inbound the ball.
Durant, Thompson, Curry, and Wade Dong were on the court, all with around 90% free throw percentage, with Wade Dong's being as high as 95%.
There wasn't much they could do to target anyone.
Since Wade Dong was in the top five in the league for rebounds this season, fouling him was also a good option for the Spurs.
If the second free throw was missed, there was a high chance that Wade Dong would get the rebound, which would be a loss.
Ginobili defended Wade Dong.
Wade Dong came out from the baseline, and McGrady passed the ball to the top of Wade Dong's head. The pass was perfect, beyond Ginobili's jumping ability, and Wade Dong jumped to receive the pass.
Ginobili was very experienced!
He chose to foul Wade Dong at the moment he received the pass, as he was worried about giving Wade Dong time to adjust, and he would make a deadly three-pointer!
At the critical moment of the game, no one dared to let Wade Dong shoot.
"Beep!!!"
The referee blew the whistle, and Wade Dong walked to the free throw line.
Wade Dong smiled at Ginobili, "Ginobili, it's still you. Just now, if you had given me a little space to shoot, you would have been down by four points again."
Wade Dong wasn't joking; he really had planned to do that. Two years ago, he had given the Spurs a chance, and in the end, they were killed by Duncan! Although they eventually won that series, from that game onwards, Wade Dong realised that on the court, you shouldn't give your opponents any opportunities.
Respect your opponents?
You can wait until after the game to invite them for a barbecue and a few beers; that's also a form of respect.
But on the court, there's only killing the game, not respecting your opponents.
"Miss! Miss! Miss!"
The home fans were chanting, some drawing crosses on their chests, all trying to make Wade Dong miss his free throws.
"Swoosh!!!"
"Swoosh!!!"
He made both free throws, and Wade Dong was best at making the away fans feel desperate.
107:110!!!
The Spurs were down by three points again.
Parker walked to the baseline and received the ball from the referee, then pretended to look at Popovich, and at that moment, the entire Spurs team was filled with the spirit of the golden statue, even their eyes were full of drama.
Parker passed the ball to Ginobili, and the Suns players thought Popovich would call a timeout to set up the last attack.
It wasn't until Ginobili dribbled towards the frontcourt that everyone realised.
"Damn! Chase him!"
Wade Dong shouted, and the strength of a 100-metre sprint champion burst out.
When Ginobili reached the three-point line, Wade Dong had already caught up, and Ginobili jumped to shoot, and Wade Dong jumped with him.
But!
Ginobili's weird pass reappeared!
After jumping, he didn't shoot, but instead, his wrist shook, and he passed the ball to the chasing Duncan.
"Swoosh!!!"
Duncan took another three-pointer, and the ball went straight through the net.
110:110!!!
The equalising three-pointer! Duncan relied on his two three-pointers at the critical moment to tie the score.
The Spurs only left the Suns with 0.7 seconds of killing time.
"Oh yeah!!!"
"Duncan! Duncan! Duncan!"
"MVP! MVP! MVP!"
The arena erupted!
If it weren't for the security guards stopping them, the excited fans might have rushed onto the court, but the scene was completely chaotic... and couldn't be calmed down.
Duncan had made less than 200 three-pointers in his career, which was still less than Wade Dong's three-point attempts in a single season.
Although Duncan's three-point percentage wasn't high, the three-pointers at critical moments were still very frustrating for his opponents.
The most classic one was also against the Suns, also in the playoffs, in the 07-08 season, when Duncan scored 40 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks in a single game. In the first overtime, Duncan made a three-pointer to tie the game, and the Spurs eventually won the game, and Duncan's cold and wooden expression made his opponents feel desperate.
The Suns called a timeout.
"Beat the Suns!"
"Beat the Suns!"
"Beat the Suns!"
The noisy home fans made Gentry have to raise his voice when setting up the tactics, otherwise, the players wouldn't be able to hear him.
There was only 0.7 seconds of assist time.
In other words, the player had to shoot as soon as he received the ball!
This tactic was difficult to set up...
Gentry looked at Wade Dong, and Wade Dong said, "The Spurs will definitely arrange two or three players to double-team me and not let me receive the ball."
"Yes."
Everyone was clear about this point, as Wade Dong was a player with a 100% killing percentage, and even a genius coach would choose to give the ball to Wade Dong at this time, and Popovich could also predict this.
Wade Dong asked, "I'll cut in from the 45-degree angle of the three-point line to the inside, and when I get to the free throw line, who has the confidence to accurately throw the ball to the top of the basket, within 50 centimetres, not a bit off."
"This..."
Curry looked at Durant... Durant looked at McGrady... McGrady looked at Carter...
Although they were all top players, they still had to judge the timing of the pass based on Wade Dong's position and accurately send the ball to the top of the basket within 50 centimetres under the tight defence of the opposing players, which was too difficult.
"Sigh..."
Wade Dong sighed lightly, and it would have been great if Nash was still there.
Gentry comforted him, "A bold pass, the Spurs have only tied the score, and even if we don't score this time, we still have a chance to play overtime, and with Brother Dong here, we are invincible in overtime."
"Then..."
Wade Dong thought for a moment and said, "Little Handsome, Curry, Thompson, you three attract the attention of the defenders on the same side as me, and then I'll run to the basket and use my speed to get rid of the defenders, McGrady, you pass the ball to the middle circle, and let me receive the ball in the middle circle."
"I can do that!"
"Good!"
This was relatively easier.
The world sprint champion, as long as you give Wade Dong a certain distance, no one can catch up to him. Running from the basket to the middle circle, Wade Dong will definitely be able to receive the ball safely.
Mid-court three-pointer?
Durant and the other two are only responsible for attracting the defenders, McGrady is responsible for passing the ball to Wade Dong, and whether he can make it or not is up to Wade Dong.
...
The timeout was over.
"Beat the Suns!"
"Beat the Suns!"
"Beat the Suns!"
The home fans cheered loudly for the home team.
They really wanted the Spurs to win this game, and why did Duncan want to retire? Wasn't it because the Suns' strength made people feel desperate? If they won this game, would it shake Duncan's determination to retire?
...
About the update, due to a recent work change, there will only be two chapters per day.
Idols, please leave more chapter reviews... once work is stable, I will resume three chapters and continue to update.
Idols, please leave more chapter reviews...
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง