Carlos, single-handedly, unleashed a three-point barrage that brought down the Western Arena.
Yes, it happened.
Carlos hit five three-pointers in a single quarter, showcasing an explosive performance. However, Curry also contributed with two three-pointers, and Celtics' Pierce added two more, while Ray Allen sank three.
In that quarter...
These four players made a total of twelve three-pointers, submerging the Western Arena in a three-point storm.
Phoenix Suns (82): (76) Boston Celtics.
The Suns led by six points with 1 minute and 15 seconds left in the third quarter. The Celtics had possession, and Rondo brought the ball up the court. At the top of the arc, he feigned a three-point shot, but Nash wasn't fooled.
He knew Rondo wouldn't take the shot!
As expected, Rondo, after successfully maneuvering past Pierce, lobbed the ball over to Paul. However, Paul found himself matched up against the formidable Carlos.
With no opportunity after consecutive back-to-back attempts, and the clock ticking down, Paul had no choice but to pivot and attempt a fadeaway jump shot.
"Swoosh!"
Carlos' long arms reached up to disrupt the shot.
"Clang!"
The ball hit the rim and bounced out.
Rebound?
Frye positioned himself under the basket, Carlos extended his arms gracefully, secured the rebound, and slowly advanced up the court. At the top of the arc, he held the ball, controlled the tempo, and glanced at the shot clock.
Then...
One meter beyond the three-point line, facing Pierce's defense, this magical archer suddenly released a cold arrow.
"What?!"
Pierce could only stand there, stunned, without even attempting to block.
"A deep three?!"
Mark Jackson's gaze remained fixed on the spinning basketball. As it sank into the net, he excitedly exclaimed, "Good shot!"
The fans in the stands joined in the cheers. Carlos hit an extraordinary long-range three-pointer, his sixth of the quarter, igniting the arena. The cheers and shouts echoed through the air like a tide in the arena.
"What's happening?"
Pierce was bewildered.
On the sideline...
Garnett was also dumbfounded. He had lied about his height to avoid restricting his offensive area to just under the basket. However, Carlos, the 215cm center, continuously hit threes from beyond the arc. Now, he even made a long-range three-pointer against defense, leaving Garnett thoroughly shocked.
Can a center really play like this?!
Garnett felt perplexed. After playing in the NBA for so many years, he was genuinely astonished by a rookie today, finding his playing style unbelievable.
Celtics' bench.
Coach Rivers held his head, looking at Carlos as if he were looking at a "monster," a guard who seemed to have taken a potion that could make him grow bigger.
Suns' bench.
"Hahaha!"
Gentry, excited and laughing, watched the entire arena being overwhelmed by Carlos' insane three-pointers. Seeing Rivers' shocked expression, as Carlos' coach, he was ecstatic.
On the court...
Amidst the shock, the game continued. With 31.4 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Rondo pushed the ball, attempting to use up as much time as possible to leave the Suns with minimal offensive time.
10 seconds...
The ball was given to Pierce, who took charge of the attack, accelerated and forcefully penetrated against Carlos, then passed the ball to Ray Allen. Ray Allen decisively attempted a three-pointer.
"Clang!"
It hit the iron...
Carter grabbed the rebound, without hesitation, threw it towards Carlos. Carlos caught the ball, and with 9.1 seconds left, pushed past the half-court.
One step...
Two steps...
Until two meters beyond the three-point line, Carlos halted. Then, in Pierce's dumbfounded gaze, he once again launched a three-pointer.
Another long-range shot!
Carlos' deep shot left everyone bewildered. As the spinning basketball soared into the sky, the third quarter came to an end, and the ball, heading towards the basket, hit the backboard.
"Bang!"
"Swoosh!"
It finally dropped in.
Another one!
Carlos hit a buzzer-beating long-range three-pointer.
Buzz!
The arena fell silent for an instant, then erupted into a deafening roar. It was like a bomb had dropped into a deep well, instantly detonating the entire stadium.
"Amazing!"
"Nice!"
"My God!"
The fans were all shocked, their mouths wide open, capable of fitting not just ten eggs but even a basketball.
"Unbelievable!"
Jon Barry was also stunned for a good while before tremblingly saying, "Consecutive two long-range three-pointers, seven three-pointers in a single quarter, and a total of ten three-pointers in the game. Carlos's three-point ability is so... so accurate!"
"Incredible!"
Mark Jackson was also taken aback. Carlos tonight was even more powerful than he had imagined. After being stunned for quite a while, he said, "In the third quarter, Carlos hit seven three-pointers, scored 25 points, and accumulated a staggering 43 points in three quarters. His final two long-range three-pointers also gave the Suns a 12-point lead entering the last quarter."
"Exactly..."
Jon Barry continued, "Facing the recently hot Celtics, who had successively defeated the powerhouse Heat and Spurs, Carlos, a rookie leading the team, won by 43 points in three quarters. That's truly impressive! However, because it's the Celtics, we can't take it lightly. In one quarter, they still have a chance to turn the game around."
Soon...
The final quarter's battle commenced.
With only 2 minutes and 19 seconds of rotation, both starting lineups returned early. In this highly anticipated showdown tonight, neither team wanted to lose.
Right from the start...
The Celtics substituted the slowing O'Neal with the tall 206cm power forward, Glen Davis, who had both height and speed, to team up with Pierce in strict defense against Carlos. Even beyond the three-point line, these two kept a close eye on Carlos.
"Hehe!"
Mark Jackson saw this scene and couldn't help but laugh. "Although it's not the first time, seeing a center being defended beyond the three-point line still feels magical."
"Hehe!"
Jon Barry also smiled and said, "Carlos himself is a magical center."
While they were talking...
On the court, Carlos used a screen, evaded Pierce, executed a turn, shook off Glen, dribbled past two defenders, and drove into the paint, finishing with a high layup off the backboard.
While back on defense, Carlos smiled slightly at Pierce, as if telling him that he wasn't just a three-point shooter.
In the next 4 minutes and 17 seconds...
Facing strict defense beyond the arc, Carlos continuously drove to the basket, scoring 9 points in a 12-4 offensive run, extending the lead to 20 points.
Gentry called Carlos off for a break, and with the sizable lead and the Suns' main players still on the court, the Celtics had no chance of a comeback. Three minutes before the end of the game, they conceded.
"Tsk, tsk..."
Watching the game turn into garbage time, Mark Jackson clicked his tongue and said, "The Suns, playing 'run-and-gun' tonight, even defeated the recently formidable Green Army. The Suns are really powerful now, with no limits!"
"Exactly..."
Jon Barry agreed, "The Suns' 'run-and-gun tactics' are back. However, the key to the victory tonight was still Carlos. The rookie center who scored 52 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, dished out 7 assists, and blocked 5 shots. With 10 three-pointers in a single game, he defeated the Green Army and led the team to an 11-game winning streak! The sharpshooter Carlos is truly formidable!"