Pause over.
Carlos scored two more jump shots, adding 4 points to his individual total of 15. Despite being considered a marginal reserve player, his efficiency in scoring, especially as a center, was extraordinary. With 3 minutes and 12 seconds remaining, what was once a 21-point difference was now reduced to only 6 points.
"Carlos has gone wild. Shouldn't they call a timeout and make substitutions?" Van Gundy expressed his confusion in the commentary booth. Just as he was saying this, Carlos, once again, successfully executed a jump shot on the perimeter, shaking off Martin by half a body's length.
"2 minutes and 48 seconds, 4 points difference, it's time to call a timeout."
"Buzzer!"
Mike Breen's words had just fallen, and the Wizards called a timeout.
"Boom!"
The arena buzzed with discussions, and everyone's eyes were fixed on Carlos. They observed him like a phenomenon, marveling at the center who was making perimeter breakthroughs and jump shots.
The miraculous aspect was not just the dreamlike speed at which the Suns closed the 17-point gap, giving their home fans hope for a comeback. It also instilled a tremendous sense of crisis in the Wizards.
"Who is this Carlos? How can he be so strong?!"
On the Wizards' bench, Nick Young spoke in a low voice, and Gilbert Arenas concentrated, saying, "I haven't heard of any Mexican players participating in this year's draft. It's highly probable that he entered the league as a free agent. A center attacking from the perimeter, even making breakthrough jump shots, his offensive style is very unique and rarely seen. That's what makes it headache-inducing."
"Hmph!"
Wall let out a soft snort.
Tonight, he was supposed to be the shining star, but the limelight was stolen by an unknown rookie, making him a bit displeased. He said in a calm tone, "The rookie's game ends here. I'll finish this game soon. Let this rookie know that a center should stick to the basics in the paint."
"Good!"
Nick Young clapped his hands and laughed, "The more confident Wall is, the stronger he becomes. Tonight, you will always be the protagonist. It depends on your performance, on how you end the game."
"Exactly!"
The former 'General,' Arenas, also smiled, "While Carlos has shown some good moments, in terms of talent and strength, you are undoubtedly the strongest among this year's rookies."
"Oh!"
Wall, not afraid of challenges as a newcomer, responded with enthusiasm to the compliments. He clenched his fists, ready to seal the game.
"Buzzer!"
After the timeout, both teams returned their starting lineups.
Wizards' starting lineup: shooting guard Nick Young, point guard Arenas, point guard Wall, power forward Andray Blatche, and center JaVale McGee.
Suns' starting lineup: point guard Nash, shooting guard Richardson, small forward Grant Hill, center Channing Frye, and center Carlos.
Carlos continued to replace Carter and stayed on the court.
With only 3 minutes and 12 seconds remaining and a 4-point difference, the battle was about to intensify.
"Tsk, tsk..."
"A 21-point deficit, reduced to just 4 points in a matter of minutes by Carlos, the center from Mexico. This has even forced the Wizards' starting lineup out. Truly impressive!"
Wizards in possession... Wall dribbles the ball, facing Nash at the arc, determination in his eyes. He bends his knees, accelerates, clashes with Nash in a single step, then accelerates again, shaking off Nash. "Swoosh!" He speeds into the restricted area, faces off against Frye, and shoots a high bank shot.
"Swish!" It goes in...
"Wow! Wall, living up to being the NBA Draft's first overall pick, aggressively scoring against Nash right from the start, breaking the Wizards' scoring drought of over 3 minutes, bringing the deficit back to 6 points. The Suns want to win tonight, and the difficulty level is quite high. Wow, it's Carlos again, receiving Nash's bounce pass, hitting a jump shot on the left side, responding in kind.
Although McGee followed, his defensive footwork was too slow." Van Gundy exclaimed. Mike, also visibly moved, said, "Carlos, who made his debut in the final quarter, has already scored 19 points, maintaining a 100% shooting rate with 9 shots. Strong! So strong!"
"Oh?" Seeing Carlos respond so quickly, Wall squints, locking his gaze on Carlos.
Nick Young pushes the ball forward, one-on-one against Richardson. "Splash!" He attempts a signature turnaround fadeaway three-pointer, but unfortunately, it misses and hits the iron.
Fortunately, McGee grabs the rebound, passes it to Wall outside. "Bam, bam, bam!" Wall dribbles, asks for a screen, finds... Carlos at the top of the arc.
"Swoosh!" No need for extra words.
Wall focuses his gaze, swiftly changes direction with a behind-the-back dribble, accelerates to the right, and Carlos, despite the near-instantaneous change in direction, manages to keep up.
"Oh? Kept up? He does have some skills!"
Wall's eyes flicker. He accelerates once again, this time with a sudden stop and step-back move, pulling half a body's length away from Carlos.
He attempts a fadeaway jump shot, but just as the ball is released...
"Smack!"
Carlos springs up from the ground, his long arms extended, creating a monstrous block that sends the basketball flying into the stands, causing a stir in the crowd.
"Oh, my, god!"
"Carlos... Carlos blocked Wall, blocked Wall, the NBA Draft's first overall pick who had been in excellent form tonight?!"
"Is this real?"
"He had already shaken him off, yet he was still blocked. Carlos is... so strong!"
The fans opened their mouths wide, all caught in astonishment.
"Cut it out!"
Wall, with a displeased look, snorted, "It's just a bit of luck." Out of bounds ball... Still Wizards' possession, but only 7.3 seconds left on the shot clock. Sideline inbound, Nick Young on the left receives the ball, faces Richardson one-on-one, but misses the layup.
"Smack!"
Channing Frye secures the rebound, Nash takes the ball, pushes forward, comes to the top of the arc, hands the ball to Carlos, to this hot-handed and extremely confident center.
"Step!"
Wall steps forward, appearing in front of Carlos. Carlos glances at him, then lowers his center of gravity, reads the defense, and starts dribbling slowly to find his rhythm.
In the next moment...
"Swoosh!"
Carlos suddenly accelerates, rushing to the right.
"So fast!"
Carlos is even faster than Wall imagined. Wall grits his teeth and chases after him at full speed. But just then, Carlos abruptly stops, pulls the ball back between his legs.
"Splash!"
With Wall losing his balance, he zooms past towards the basket.
"Swoosh!"
Carlos takes a jump shot, hitting it steadily.
He glances casually at Wall, who is stumbling not far away, shakes his head slightly.
The top pick... is just like this!