Chương 78: Chapter 78: The James-Wade Connection Fails to Materialize

Wade and James were momentarily stunned.

After Iverson's steal, he immediately launched a fast break, facing an open basket and soaring for a dunk! He even shook the rim before landing.

This was vintage Iverson.

"The Answer is back!"

Iverson's fans were ecstatic to see this.

Everyone thought Iverson's successful steal was due to his anticipation, but only the Suns players knew it wasn't Iverson's anticipation; it was Wade Dong's.

"So amazing~"

Gentry sat back on the bench.

It turned out that Wade Dong could not only play positions 1 through 5 but also excelled as a coach.

Just now, when Wade Dong was drawing up strategies on the clipboard, Gentry felt a sense of being sidelined, but this feeling was also strangely satisfying.

No wonder Wade Dong proposed the "Elevator Door Tactics" before the playoffs. It seemed Wade Dong had the heart of a coach all along.

...

16:19!

The Suns were only down by three points.

"This is just a coincidence, don't take it to heart," James and Wade encouraged each other as the Heat launched another attack.

This time, Wade had the ball and made two consecutive crossovers to get past Nash. Wade Dong glanced at James's position and suddenly shouted at Gortat, "Get back to your defensive position!"

"???"

At that moment, Wade had already thrown the ball into the air.

Everyone on the court heard Wade Dong's shout. What did he mean by "get back to your defensive position"?

Meanwhile, James had slipped to the baseline and leaped high into the air, as if flying. Wade turned his back to the basket, expecting James to catch the ball and dunk it.

However...

Gortat had somehow appeared in James's path. As James grabbed the ball with both hands, Gortat also leaped high and blocked the shot.

"Slam!"

Gortat, who was ready, blocked James's dunk, and both players fell to the ground.

The referee's whistle didn't sound; it was a clean block, not a foul.

"Roar! Roar! Roar!"

After getting up, Gortat excitedly pounded his chest and roared at James.

This was his moment to shine!

At that moment, he knew his mother was watching the broadcast. Gortat wanted to tell his mother, "Mom, I've made it! I blocked James!"

Gortat knew his role; he was known as the Iron Hammer! His blocking ability was top-notch, but blocking a top player like James was something he could brag about for the rest of his life. Even if he had grandchildren one day, he would show them this video and tell them, "Grandpa once blocked James!"

The arena fell silent, as it was the Heat's home court, and seeing James get brutally blocked was hard for the fans to watch.

"So cool!"

Wade Dong, Iverson, and Nash also rushed over to "pound" Gortat.

This block completely lifted the Suns' spirits.

If it weren't for Wade Dong's prediction, this play would likely have become a classic James-Wade connection, with Gortat getting dunked on by James.

But there were no "ifs"!

Wade Dong had predicted this attack by James and Wade. Gortat had positioned himself early and blocked James's dunk. Even though Gortat's wrist was sore now, it was all worth it.

...

The Heat had a sideline inbound.

James, having been blocked by Gortat, felt embarrassed, so he responded with a three-pointer.

"Three-pointer!!!"

The DJ's passionate voice echoed through the arena.

16:22!

The Suns were still down by six points.

This deficit was not significant for the Suns, especially after Iverson's steal and Gortat's block had boosted their morale.

Outsiders might think Wade Dong had become invisible during these plays, but the Suns players knew that these highlights were all due to Wade Dong's pre-arranged defensive strategies.

Back on the Suns' side, Nash drew the defense and passed the ball to Iverson, who scored with a fadeaway jumper.

The Suns found it difficult to stop the Heat's Big Three.

Especially James; if he wasn't directly guarded by Wade Dong, no one on the Suns could stop him.

"Beep!!!"

The referee's whistle sounded, and the first half ended.

The cheerleaders came onto the court to perform for the fans.

47:51!

The Suns were down by four points.

Wade Dong played the entire first half, scoring 15 points, grabbing 9 rebounds, dishing out 7 assists, making 2 steals, and blocking 3 shots.

His 15 points ranked fourth on the court, behind James's 21 points, Wade's 19 points, and Iverson's 18 points. However, Wade Dong's 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks were all game-highs. This all-around performance from Wade Dong made Spoelstra nervous, as Wade Dong's strongest scoring ability had not yet been fully displayed.

In the Suns' locker room, although Wade Dong was better suited to be the coach, he did not take over. He understood the importance of team dynamics and let Gentry continue to draw up strategies, only adding a few points afterward.

As the second half was about to begin, Wade Dong asked, "Do we have the confidence to win this game?"

"Yes!!!"

The Suns players responded loudly.

Wade Dong felt the team's morale was high and smiled, "In the second half, the Heat will do everything they can to extend their lead, but we not only have to prevent that, we also have to catch up. Because I want to win this game on their home court."

"Yes!!!"

The Suns players clenched their fists. Winning the championship at home would be the best gift for Phoenix.

How could they win the championship at home?

Of course, by sweeping the Heat 4-0. They had beaten the Spurs, Clippers, and Lakers on their way here. Which of those opponents was weak? In the end, they were all defeated by the Suns. So what if the Heat had their Big Three?

The second half began, and as Wade Dong predicted, the Heat increased their offensive pace.

They wanted to extend their lead and not give the Suns a chance to come back.

James and Wade started scoring frequently as soon as they came back on the court.

However, in terms of defense, the Suns were a bit lacking due to their age, but their offensive ability was not inferior to the Heat's.

As James and Wade scored, Hill, Nash, Iverson, and Wade Dong also scored frequently. The Suns' offensive pace was even faster, with each attack completed in under 7 seconds.

With 21 seconds left in the third quarter, Wade Dong received a pass from Iverson and scored on a fast break layup.

92:91!

The Suns took a one-point lead.

With 21 seconds left, James held the ball and slowly dribbled, with Wade Dong defending him.

With 5 seconds left on the shot clock, James took a step-back jumper.

"Slam!"

Wade Dong had seen this coming and blocked James's shot.

Hakeem Olajuwon's block skill package was no joke. James was a bit depressed; he had been blocked twice in one game.

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