The next day.
8:00 p.m.
At the US Airways Center, with a full hour still remaining before tip-off.
The arena was already packed. Countless fans, wearing Blake Su's No. 0 jersey, waved banners and held up signs, cheering for him and for the Suns.
In short.
After four straight road games and carrying a 21-game winning streak, the Suns were welcomed by an eruption of cheers the moment they stepped onto the court.
So loud that.
The Rockets players, coming out of the tunnel right behind them, felt a wave of pressure before they had even begun warming up.
But.
They were not afraid.
This highly anticipated matchup had been hyped to the limit. The Rockets were determined to win. They could not repeat past mistakes or end up like the Bucks, getting stepped on as the Suns broke another record.
Both teams warmed up intensely.
At the same time.
In the ESPN studio.
Mike Breen, visibly excited, smiled and said,
"Jeff, I've been waiting for this game for a long time. Back when Yao Ming was at his peak, he led the Rockets to a 22-game winning streak.
And now, just thinking about Blake Su, as a rookie, about to tie that record, my heart is racing. I can't wait!"
"Exactly."
Jeff Van Gundy nodded firmly.
"Blake Su is already one of the best young players in the league, and he's taken his team to another level.
Now.
It's about seeing just how far he can push it.
But of course, there are always variables in a game. Mike Breen, how do you see the Rockets' chances tonight?"
"..."
Mike Breen thought for a moment.
"Very slim. If the Suns were still in the same state as they were against the Jazz, maybe there would be a chance. But now...
They're facing a team that's had three days of rest, is playing at home, in great form, riding a 21-game winning streak, and sitting at the top of the West.
Meanwhile, the Rockets are barely holding onto eighth place.
The chances are really small, unless..."
"Unless what?"
Jeff Van Gundy asked.
Mike Breen paused.
"Unless Yao Ming returns fully healthy. Then maybe there's a chance. But... that's not happening."
"Sigh..."
Jeff Van Gundy shook his head.
"What a pity. I don't even hope he returns to his peak. I just hope we can see him back on the court again."
"Yeah."
Mike Breen nodded.
"Even with rising stars like Blake Su, we still hope to see him play again. I'm sure a lot of fans feel the same."
"Look!"
As they spoke, Jeff Van Gundy pointed at the screen.
The camera cut to Yao Ming.
On the court, Yao Ming, who had been sidelined focusing on recovery, was seated on the bench in a suit.
Yi Jianlian stood behind him.
Both were there to witness Blake Su's potential 22nd straight win. As a Rockets player, even if Yao Ming had his own thoughts on the game, as long as he didn't say anything publicly, it wouldn't become an issue.
Further back, Jeremy Lin was also in attendance, there to watch the game and support Blake Su.
...
Before long.
The warm-ups ended amid the crowd's anticipation.
The starters took the floor.
Phoenix Suns starting lineup: Steve Nash (191 cm / 6'3") at point guard, Stephen Curry (188 cm / 6'2") at shooting guard, Vince Carter (198 cm / 6'6") on the wing, Channing Frye (211 cm / 6'11") at power forward, and Blake Su (215 cm / 7'1") at center.
Houston Rockets starting lineup: Kyle Lowry (183 cm / 6'0") at point guard, Kevin Martin (201 cm / 6'7") at shooting guard, Shane Battier (203 cm / 6'8") at small forward, Chuck Hayes (198 cm / 6'6") at power forward, and Luis Scola (206 cm / 6'9") at center.
"Jump ball!"
Blake Su versus Scola.
"Snap!"
No suspense.
At full strength, Blake Su easily tipped the ball away. Curry secured it and handed it to Nash to initiate the Suns' first possession.
"Dribble, dribble!"
At the top.
Nash accelerated down the right, drew the defense, then delivered a behind-the-back bounce pass to the cutting Carter, who went straight at Lowry.
"Bang, bang!"
They collided multiple times, but surprisingly, Carter could not overpower Lowry. He forced up a shot.
"Clang!"
Miss.
On the next possession, Lowry once again used his strength to shut down Curry's drive and grabbed the rebound.
"Whoosh!"
A long outlet pass to Kevin Martin sprinting ahead. The Rockets pushed the break.
"Step!"
Blake Su came flying in from the wing, leaped, and snatched the ball away from behind Martin. Without stopping, he swung it back out, initiating a rapid ball reversal.
The camera barely kept up.
"Snap!"
Frye caught the ball and charged straight to the rim. Under the basket, only Lowry was there.
Seeing he could not block it, Lowry planted himself in position.
"Step!"
Frye took off, colliding with Lowry as he tried to dunk over him. Lowry fell backward onto the floor.
"Whistle!"
Offensive foul on Frye.
"Wow, two straight defensive plays by Lowry. The bulldog-like guard really lives up to his reputation."
"Exactly. He's not just strong, he's smart. One of the few smaller guards who can draw offensive fouls inside."
Two straight defensive stops disrupted the Suns' rhythm.
Martin brought the ball up. At the top, Battier and Lowry set consecutive screens to free him.
He shot.
Miss.
Blake Su grabbed the rebound.
"Go!"
The Suns pushed the fast break. Blake Su passed to Curry on the wing and sprinted ahead. The Rockets recovered quickly, with Lowry and Battier getting back.
Two on two.
Curry stopped at the left side of the arc, ready to pull up for three. After his last game, his shot could not be ignored. Battier rushed over to contest.
"Swing!"
Curry fired a quick pass across.
"Catch!"
Blake Su received it at the right side and drove without slowing.
Lowry slid into position under the basket.
"Lowry's trying to draw another charge."
From the sideline, Gentry saw it. George shouted,
"Watch out!"
"Trying to draw a charge?"
Blake Su narrowed his eyes but did not slow down. He stepped into the paint, directly at Lowry.
He gathered the ball and took off, just like Frye moments earlier.
"Got him."
Lowry smirked.
But in the next instant.
With a terrifying leap and a massive height advantage, Blake Su spread his legs and soared over Lowry's head.
Lowry's eyes went wide in shock.
"Boom!"
A thunderous dunk.
...
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