The first quarter.
If the first half was characterized by Carlos unilaterally suppressing Westbrook, the latter part turned into an offensive duel between Carlos and Durant.
Suns (27): (25) Thunder.
Carlos scored 13 points in a single quarter, while Durant also contributed 8 points. However, the Thunder's overall strength was still slightly stronger, and after one quarter, the point difference was only 2 points.
"Wow..."
"Facing the Thunder's Big Three, staying calm, scoring 13 points in a single quarter, better stats than Durant, and locking down Westbrook's offense. Carlos is even calmer and more powerful than I imagined," praised Mario in the Mexican National Television studio.
"Hey!"
Jose also took off his glasses, smiling loudly, "Of course, Carlos is the savior of Mexican basketball. It's only natural for him to outperform Durant."
"Hehe!"
Mario joked, "Jose, your metaphor is quite vivid!"
...
At the Western Arena.
Between quarters break.
Carlos continued his flawless performance, earning praise from the spectators and leaving them in awe of the Mexican center's boundless strength.
In the 10th row.
Historical superstars, "The Dream" Olajuwon and "Skyhook" Jabbar, came to watch the game tonight. After witnessing the duel between Carlos and Durant in the first quarter, they were also deeply moved.
"The league has completely moved away from our era of 'centers'!" Olajuwon said, looking at the players running on the court.
"Yeah..."
"Starting from the era of the 'Four Aces' (Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady) and the disappearance of the 'center' era, players' offense has been moving closer to the perimeter. Now, the league is rapidly entering the small-ball era," Jabbar agreed, adding.
"That's true."
Olajuwon hesitated, touched his chin, and then said, "Indeed, it's the small-ball era, but... the outside attacks of Carlos and Durant tonight are still distinctive."
"Oh?"
Jabbar blinked, somewhat puzzled by his words.
"Height!"
Olajuwon smiled and explained, "Durant's official height is 206 cm, actually around 211 cm, completely the height of an inside player. Carlos is 215 cm, not to mention. They should be attacking from the inside, playing as centers, but they are shooting jumpers and making dazzling drives from the perimeter. It's unbelievable, yet it fits the times!"
"Yeah..."
Understanding, Jabbar nodded and said with a smile, "The times are always changing, always waiting for someone to bring about a change. I think... that person will appear soon."
The older generation of historical superstars discussed with emotion.
On the court...
The second quarter began...
First, a battle between substitute players.
On the Thunder's side, Harden officially led the team, while the Suns' rookie Paul George, who had just arrived, also got some playing time. However, in terms of offensive ability, Harden was more than twice as strong as George.
In his second year as a rookie, Harden had excellent finishing ability in one-on-one situations, while George's offensive efficiency at the NBA level was not high.
However...
On the defensive end, George was very active.
This was one of the reasons Gentry valued him.
George's physical talents allowed him to make a contribution to the team with excellent defense, even if he was slightly weaker on the offensive end. In a situation where the team did not lack offensive options, every team coveted such a defensive player.
After 5 minutes and 13 seconds of rotation.
Harden led the team to win by 3 points, helping the Thunder fill the 2-point gap and take a 1-point lead.
"Beep—beep!"
Gentry called for a tactical timeout, whispered a few words to the assistant coach, and sent the well-rested starters back onto the court. The Thunder also brought back their starting lineup.
Suns' possession...
Nash held the ball at the top of the arc, feigned a drive to the left wing, successfully attracted the defense, and passed it back to Carlos at the top of the arc. Carlos took one step, made a breakthrough, and stopped for a jump shot.
"Swoosh!"
It went in...
Jeff Green's defense against Carlos on this play was flawless; it could only be said that the talent completely overwhelmed him, rendering Green's defense ineffective.
On the next offensive play.
The same tactic, Nash drove and passed to Carlos again, attacking Jeff Green at this point, relying on talent to overwhelm him. However, this time Sefolosha came over for help defense.
Double-team...
The battle continues.
"Swoosh!"
Carlos saw the opportunity and didn't hesitate, immediately making a cross-court pass to the left low post where Curry was waiting.
"Swoosh!"
The open mid-range shot went in.
This is the power of the team's core! Unable to defend one-on-one, when Carlos is double-teamed, he creates scoring opportunities for his teammates.
This was a serious test for the Thunder.
On the next possession, Carlos cut to the free-throw line, received the ball, and initiated an attack. Accelerating on the right wing, he shook off Jeff Green with a smooth turn and faced Westbrook's defense head-on.
"Swoosh!"
Without losing speed, Carlos smoothly evaded Westbrook with a turn, faced the basket, released a quick toss, and prepared for Ibaka's attempt to block.
But Carlos is tall enough, so the release point of the shot was high, completely avoiding the block.
"Bang!"
Another successful shot.
"Swoosh!"
Westbrook got the ball, quickly sprinted to the frontcourt, rushed to the free-throw line, Curry shifted over for defense, and Westbrook suddenly jumped, taking a mid-air shot.
"Clang!"
The ball didn't go in.
"Snap!"
Carlos leaped almost above Ibaka's head, grabbed the rebound, and immediately made a missile-like long pass accurately finding Curry in the frontcourt.
"Swoosh!"
Curry caught the ball without hesitation, moved away from the arc, and hit a three-pointer off the dribble.
From way downtown...
"Swoosh!"
A clean shot.
"Good ball!"
"Great teamwork!"
Coach Gentry couldn't help but shout in satisfaction, completely pleased with the coordination between Carlos and Curry.
The starters returned...
Carlos: 1 point, 2 assists, 1 rebound. Connecting with Curry, they unleashed an 11-0 offensive burst, delivering a heavy blow to the Thunder and instantly gaining control of the game.
"Boom!"
The home atmosphere became even more heated during this 11-0 run, with intense cheers severely affecting the Thunder's mentality.
"My goodness, this momentum... could it be that the Suns are really going to crush the Thunder? Could Carlos really defeat the Thunder's Big Three by himself?!"
In the Mexican National Television studio, Mario was astonished.
"Hey!"
"That's the way it should be. Take the initiative, sweep away the Thunder in one go, let the entire league feel the absolute dominance of our Mexican super center."
Jose also became excited.
"Cut!"
On the court, Durant's gaze turned cold, his already dark face slightly reddening.
Yes! Durant was completely furious, like a dangerous male lion!
Durant, facing the boos of the Suns' fans, slowly pushed the ball forward.
"Bam, bam, bam!"
Facing Carter...
Lowering his center of gravity, accelerating past him, rushing into the paint, rising with the ball, like a giant enraged demon.
"Boom!"
A thunderous dunk!
"Roar!"
As Durant landed after letting go of the rim, he roared in anger, revealing his snow-white teeth. It was as if he was telling the Suns' fans that victory was not so easily obtained. However, his pride did not last long.
"Boom!"
On the counterattack, Carlos rushed from the backcourt to the frontcourt. In the same manner as Durant, he tore through Jeff Green's defense, charged into the paint, soared high, and executed a dunk in retaliation.
However, Carlos's dunk was faster, higher, and more explosive, creating a more intense visual impact!
"Wow!"
Mario widened his eyes, tongue-tied, and said, "It's the same rapid attack, but Carlos is... 'Bigger' than Durant!"