"Beep, beep!"
Alvin Gentry immediately called a timeout.
At the critical moment, a three-pointer and a miraculous 360-degree spin layup. No one saw it coming. "The Unpredictable One," JR Smith, suddenly exploded in the final stretch.
In just one minute, the Suns went from leading by four to trailing by one.
The pressure instantly shifted onto Phoenix.
"Heh heh heh!"
In the stands.
Pippen chuckled, looked at Jordan, and said, "What's that saying again? 'If JR weren't so unpredictable, he'd be an All-Star every year. Cover his head and tell me it's Jordan, I'd believe you.'
So, Michael, what do you think?!"
"Hahaha!"
Jordan shook his head with a smile. "I don't buy that, of course. But to be fair, those two shots from JR were huge. That's real clutch performance.
Especially that last 360-degree spin. That layup could've ended the game."
"True."
Pippen nodded, then added, "But don't forget, Blake Su is 'The Man Born for Game-Winners.'
There are still 8.6 seconds left.
If it's him, I think there's still a chance for one last play. He could finish it with a game-winner and complete the comeback against the Nuggets."
"That's easy to say, but it won't be that simple."
Jordan shrugged.
Still, inside the arena, not a single Suns fan had given up. Everyone believed in Blake Su, the man known as "Born for Game-Winners."
They believed he could do it.
"Blake! Go for the game-winner against the Nuggets~~~"
Mia Quinn clenched her fists, cheering him on, convinced he could create a miracle and seal it at the buzzer.
Meanwhile.
On the Nuggets bench.
Head coach George Karl gathered his players and said in a deep voice, "Guys, don't underestimate these last 8.6 seconds.
That rookie, Blake Su, can really do it."
"Yeah, we know."
Chauncey Billups nodded seriously. Anthony and the others focused as well. There was no trace of early celebration on any Nuggets player's face.
They all understood.
That center, Blake Su, truly had the ability to hit a game-winner. So until the clock hit zero and the win was secured, they could not relax for even a second.
"Lock in for these 8.6 seconds. Shut down Blake Su and win this game!"
"Yeah!"
Holding a one-point lead, the Nuggets were fully locked in.
On the Suns bench.
They hadn't given up either. Alvin Gentry held the clipboard and said, "8.6 seconds is enough for one possession.
They won't foul.
So whether it's a two or a three, as long as we score on this play, we have a great chance to win it at the buzzer.
Stay sharp. Get the ball to Blake Su. He's the primary option on the final possession. Of course, the Nuggets will do everything to stop him.
So.
Set solid screens for him and make sure he gets a good look."
"Yeah!"
The team responded in unison.
When it came to Blake Su, his teammates trusted him without hesitation. They all wanted to see him finish it.
"Mm."
Blake Su nodded. With the game on the line, he had to step up and complete this possession. Finish it. End it with a game-winner.
Moreover.
To unlock the [Jordan's Post-Up Ability], not only did he need "30+ points and a near quadruple-double," he also had to win the game.
So tonight's victory was non-negotiable.
Amid all the discussion, every bit of attention focused on Blake Su, on this man who always seemed capable of turning the impossible into reality.
"Beep!"
Back from the timeout.
The final 8.6 seconds began.
Suns ball.
Steve Nash inbounded from the sideline near midcourt.
Blake Su and Curry started moving. Carter and Frye set screens for Blake Su, while Curry's off-ball movement helped create space for him to receive the pass.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"
On the Nuggets side.
Anthony, JR, and Martin all locked onto Blake Su. Anthony and Martin stuck to him tightly, denying any chance to catch the ball.
In an instant.
Five or six players collided in a cluster.
"Whoosh!"
Using multiple screens and constant cuts, Blake Su finally broke free. Nash immediately delivered the pass, and Blake Su caught it at the top of the key.
"Snap!"
The moment he caught it, Frye set a high screen. Blake Su exploded forward. With only Anthony in front of him, it looked like a perfect scoring chance.
But.
JR and Martin had anticipated the attack. They rushed in at lightning speed, collapsing on him the moment he entered the paint.
In a split second.
He was trapped by three defenders, completely locked down. He was about to pick up his dribble, and the clock was rapidly ticking away.
The Suns fans were on edge.
"It's over, he's going to lose the ball!"
"Damn it, the Nuggets read it. They're all focused on stopping Blake Su!"
"No time left!"
Anxiety spread through the crowd.
On the court.
Blake Su's eyes sharpened. Just as he was about to be forced to stop, his peripheral vision caught Curry waiting at the left 45-degree arc.
"Step!"
Without hesitation, he gathered and rose, facing the three defenders closing in, as if forcing up a shot. But at the instant he drew all three defenders to contest.
"Whoosh!"
A back pass.
Through the tightest gap, he slipped the ball out of the triple team.
At the left 45-degree arc, Curry caught it in rhythm. Only 2.7 seconds remained, leaving almost no time to adjust.
"Whoosh!"
Wide open, Curry immediately raised the ball and launched a three without hesitation.
"Step!"
Billups lunged to contest, but he was just a fraction too late. The ball sailed past his fingertips, spinning toward the rim.
"Beep~~"
Time expired.
"Blake Su's pass through the gap!"
"Stephen!!!"
The home crowd raised their arms, eyes locked on the ball, already ready to erupt.
"No way!"
"That's not going in!"
Nuggets fans shouted, eyes wide, wishing the ball would fly anywhere but the hoop.
But in the end.
"Swish!"
A crisp sound rang out, crushing all hope for the Nuggets fans.
The ball dropped cleanly through the net. Nothing but net.
Off Blake Su's incredible back pass through the gap, Stephen Curry drilled the buzzer-beating game-winning three!
...
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