[TL: I just got home from our role-playing class, and guess what? I used the little energy I had left just for you all.
I only updated this fanfic today—no other series got a chapter. You can even check the last update dates on my other fanfics as evidence. That is how strong your support is with me, so I wanted to give that same energy back.
So for now, I have no "chapter debt" to you guys—paid in full.
What might be coming next is a bonus chapter, since we're about to hit 100 Power Stones again. Damn, you're really pushing this series up.
Keep those Power Stones coming, and I'll keep feeding you NBA heat. 🏀🔥]
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Chapter 208: Rockets' 22-Game Winning Streak Is Over? Torture Morey More in the Future
The Rockets' offensive possession began.
After crossing half court, Alston once again looked for Yao Ming. For the past few plays, Yao had been the anchor of the Rockets' paint, converting almost every attempt. He positioned himself deep, leaned his back against Stoudemire, and prepared to go one-on-one.
"Bang!"
Just as Yao Ming received the ball, Chen Yan pounced from the wing.
"Snap!"
Chen Yan stole the ball with lightning speed! His timing was impeccable—anticipating the exact moment Yao dipped to dribble. Yao had no way to protect the ball or pass out, and could only watch helplessly as Chen Yan swiped it clean.
At that instant, Chen Yan activated his team skill: [Blitz Storm]!
With explosive strides, he pushed forward in transition. Yao Ming and Scola couldn't keep up as the Suns ignited their signature run-and-gun offense. Bonzi Wells managed only two steps before giving up; his heavy frame made sprinting a lost cause.
Only Hyde and Alston managed to get back in time for the Rockets. Chen Yan accelerated, drawing their attention, before twisting his waist and sending a sharp pass to Azubuike waiting beyond the arc.
Azubuike caught the ball and shot without hesitation!
This was Phoenix Suns basketball—whether starters or reserves, if they saw an opening, they took it.
The shot wasn't clean; the ball hit the back of the rim, bounced high, then dropped through the net.
86–86!
Azubuike pumped his fist, unaware that his shot had been boosted by the [Blitz Storm] buff.
"Pick up the pace! Run them into the ground!" Chen Yan shouted as he backpedaled on defense.
His teammates echoed him in unison. They knew the only way to limit Yao Ming was to increase the tempo.
The Rockets brought the ball up again. Alston crossed half court and fed Yao Ming inside. Once known as a flashy streetball king, Alston was now reduced to a role player—dribbling up, passing it off, and taking the occasional low-percentage three. He was the definition of mechanical.
Yao Ming paused after receiving the pass. This time, he didn't rush into isolation. Instead, he glanced at Chen Yan, who hovered nearby, ready to collapse on a double-team. The threat of Chen Yan's speed and reach pressured Yao into hesitating.
Finally, Yao kicked it out to Luther Head on the perimeter.
Head took the shot.
"Bang!"
It clanked off the rim.
Before the Houston fans could even sigh, the Suns were already flying down the court. Nash snatched the rebound and launched a full-speed push.
Chen Yan caught the outlet pass, stormed into the paint, and rose up for a one-handed slam!
BOOM!
88–86!
The Rockets inbounded quickly, but the pressure was on. Scola tried to answer by backing down Diaw and taking a hook shot—but it bounced off the rim.
Chen Yan grabbed the rebound midair and immediately swung it to Nash.
The Suns were off again.
Nash sprinted up the court, bounced the ball behind his back to Chen Yan, and Chen returned it just as quickly. The two of them danced a perfect two-man game through Houston's defense. Nash came off a soft screen, caught the pass, and let it fly from the top of the key.
Swish!
91–86.
Chen Yan's 10th assist of the night.
"Steve, that was a beautiful shot," Chen said, slapping Nash on the back.
Nash smiled. "And that was a perfect pass, Chen. You're doing my job tonight."
At that moment, Chen had 10 assists to Nash's 8. Statistically, Chen looked more like the point guard, but he knew the truth—Nash was still the team's brain, the offensive commander behind everything. Chen respected that more than anyone.
Meanwhile, the Rockets were falling apart. Yao Ming wore an exhausted expression. For the past few minutes, he'd battled hard inside, only to be punished by Phoenix's relentless speed. Each sprint felt heavier than the last.
Seeing the collapse coming, Rick Adelman called timeout.
When play resumed, he substituted McGrady and Battier back in for Wells and Hyde, hoping to restore control.
The Suns also brought Raja Bell back to replace Azubuike, matching the Rockets' starters.
McGrady immediately went to work, drawing contact on a drive and earning two free throws. He made one of two, cutting the deficit to four. But the Suns responded instantly with three consecutive fast-break buckets, pushing the lead to double digits.
The Rockets had a habit of losing steam late, and tonight was no exception. It wasn't about effort—it was the Suns' pace. They were simply too fast, too coordinated, too explosive.
Rockets fans prayed for another miracle from McGrady. They remembered his legendary 13 points in 35 seconds. But miracles don't happen twice. Not like that.
As the clock ticked down, McGrady's legs gave out. The fire that burned through three quarters had flickered to exhaustion. He had scored 31 points on 56% shooting through three quarters, but in the fourth, he added only 4 points on 25% shooting. His energy was gone.
With 57 seconds left, the Rockets trailed 103–93.
Yet not a single fan left the Toyota Center. Houston fans believed in miracles, even when reason told them not to.
"Beep!"
The final buzzer sounded.
Final Score: Phoenix Suns 106 – Houston Rockets 93.
Chen Yan logged 35 minutes, notching a triple-double: 30 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds.
As the Suns celebrated in the visiting locker room, champagne and laughter filled the air. They'd snapped the Rockets' 12-game winning streak—but to Chen Yan, it meant more than that. In this timeline, the Rockets' historic 22-game win streak had just ended before it could even begin.
To him, that was poetic.
Meanwhile, in the press room, reporters filled the seats for post-game interviews. The first question hit immediately.
"Chen, did you hear the update on Daryl Morey? The Rockets' GM is out of danger."
Chen nodded, smirking faintly. "That's good news."
Then he added, "I'm glad he's still around. That means I'll have more chances to torture him in the future."
The room fell silent for a moment, then erupted in laughter.
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