Chapter 670 - 595: Stepping Outside the Three-Point Line (Part 2)

Chapter 670: Chapter 595: Stepping Outside the Three-Point Line (Part 2)

Oden was a center, and he had almost no ability to attack off the dribble. Even his post-up game wasn’t great; he much preferred to score off assists during the run of play.

So he needed someone to pass him the ball.

In this respect, Durant was clearly more assertive; he could create his own shot.

"The fact that Kevin made it to the finals has to say something."

Dragging two such weaker teammates all the way to the finals could only mean that Durant was the stronger player.

"Kevin’s teammates are more familiar with him now and more willing to play for him, so whether he wins or not, the initiative is in his hands."

If he dropped 40 points and became the most unstoppable offensive force on the court, Durant would win.

Stern nodded slightly, looking from Durant to Oden, his face filled with satisfaction.

The emergence of such phenomenal young talents was a clear sign that the NBA was developing well.

"By the way, Greg’s leg... there won’t be any problems, will there?" Stern suddenly remembered.

Everyone knew Oden had issues with his legs.

But to be able to play like this while dragging around a pair of problematic legs only proved that Oden was an even greater genius.

"Of course not."

Win or lose, Oden would get a three-million-dollar endorsement deal, which would more than cover the cost of his surgery.

Chen Yu had already arranged it with him; he would have the surgery as soon as filming for the show was over.

While the two were talking, the game had already begun.

Everything was done to NBA standards; even the referee was Danny Crawford.

Not long after tip-off, Oden pushed past Little Jordan for a powerful dunk, and the atmosphere in the arena instantly heated up.

The whistle blew again and again.

Harden and Little Jordan were truly putting their bodies on the line defensively, unafraid to risk picking up fouls.

The overall intensity of the game was nothing like a high-school-level match.

25-22. Oden’s Thunder team entered halftime with the lead.

On the sideline, Kobe couldn’t resist grabbing the whiteboard to draw up a play for the trio.

"DeAndre, you’re defending well, but it’s not enough. Have you noticed how the ref is calling the game? He’s being cautious with his whistle because you guys don’t have any subs."

"So I need you to be even more aggressive!"

Kobe said fiercely.

"Treat this like the Finals. The Finals are a war, a real dogfight. You can’t be soft out there."

Nowitzki also pulled Durant aside to give him pointers on his mid-range jumper.

"Screens, even double screens! Your only job is to create an open shot for Kevin. And Kevin, as soon as you have an opening, don’t hesitate. Shoot the damn ball!" Kobe yelled at Durant, slapping the whiteboard.

’Seventeen points in the first half? That’s not nearly enough!’

After halftime, the game remained a nail-biter.

It even drew blood.

While fighting for a rebound, Little Jordan accidentally bloodied Oden’s nose.

Oden didn’t seem to care. After getting it quickly treated, he returned to the court.

Seeing his teammate’s hustle, Durant couldn’t hold back. He went right at Patterson, sinking three straight shots and forcing the Thunder to call a timeout.

Oden used his most valuable item: the No. 1 Artifact Card.

Mulin subbed in Hardaway.

However, the Artifact Cards had been designed with balance in mind.

So there was no way Hardaway would play at full strength.

One minute wasn’t long, but with a 14-second shot clock, he could get at least three shots off.

With his skill, hitting three three-pointers against a rookie like Harden would be no problem at all.

That was nine points right there, enough to completely change the outcome of the game.

As a result, Hardaway didn’t take a single shot in his minute on the court, only passing the ball and assisting on two of Oden’s baskets.

47-47. In the final moments of the game, the two teams were tied once again.

Durant came off the court, panting heavily.

"Don’t panic, we still have a chance," Presti calculated. "Even if we can’t stop them on this possession, as long as we score, we can use our Artifact Card to get the ball back. Then we’ll have a chance for a game-winner."

They had already used the No. 2 Artifact Card; now, they were clutching the No. 3 card.

"We’ve worked so hard for four months. We can win this."

Presti’s gaze swept over Durant, then Harden, then Little Jordan.

He looked especially at Durant, who was gasping like an ox. Handling the load on both offense and defense, he looked like he was at his absolute limit.

He had already dropped 39 points—a game-high—and had poured out everything he had!

Durant took a deep breath and held out his hand.

Three large, young hands stacked together.

"Champions!"

Even though the final reward was the same for everyone, they needed this victory!

The game resumed.

On the sideline, even Chen Yu couldn’t help but get to his feet. He had never expected the game to be this close.

The Thunder had possession.

The ball went to Oden again.

He made a sudden spin to shake Little Jordan and drove straight to the basket.

He caught the ball, took a gather step, and went straight up.

Little Jordan hadn’t been completely beaten. The two giants collided violently.

As he lost his balance, Oden flicked the ball toward the hoop, then crashed to the floor along with Little Jordan.

As twenty thousand people watched, the basketball dropped through the net.

The whistle blew!

A 2+1!

In an instant, the stands fell into a dead silence.

Oden immediately scrambled to his feet, pushed past a celebrating Patterson, and took his place at the free-throw line.

With a panicked Little Jordan and a pale-faced Durant watching, Oden took the final free throw.

The ball bounced on the rim... and dropped in.

It was good! 50 points!

Durant slowly closed his eyes. ’It’s all over.’

Amid a sea of disappointed sighs, Presti roared and rushed toward the referee, yelling that they still had an Artifact Card and wanted to use it.

Crawford, along with everyone else in the arena, turned to look at Chen Yu.

The rules hadn’t specified whether the No. 3 Artifact Card could be used at the exact moment the 50-point target was hit, the game technically ended, and possession was lost.

Chen Yu considered for a moment, then gave a slight nod.

’If it’s not specified, then it’s allowed, even under these extreme circumstances.’

"Timeout!"

Overjoyed, Presti frantically signaled for the timeout.

Although only three seconds remained, they still had a chance to tie the score and force overtime.

Oden and his two teammates, who had been about to celebrate, quickly put their celebration on hold and huddled up to discuss their final defensive strategy.

"You have to stay on Durant!" Mulin barked, spittle flying.

Harden didn’t have a three-point shot, and it was even less likely from Little Jordan. Even if they left Little Jordan wide open for an easy two, it wouldn’t matter.

It was all about Durant.

Durant was a terrifying 3-for-4 from three-point range in this game.

After the 60-second timeout, the teams returned to the court.

Three seconds. It was so, so short.

Everyone held their breath.

The whistle blew, and the players exploded into motion.

Gritting his teeth, Little Jordan unhesitatingly set a screen for Durant, even as his ribs ached from Oden crashing into him.

Seizing the momentary opening, Durant sprinted toward the right wing.

Harden had already passed him the ball.

In that instant, Durant planted his feet, his peripheral vision glancing down for a split second.

’Good. I’m behind the three-point line.’

He caught the ball and, ignoring the hard-charging Jerry Bellers, saw nothing but the rim.

’Go in!’

Durant pleaded silently.

’Let this be the perfect ending to the last few months.’

’After so much bad luck, I’m due for a good break, right?’

The ball left his fingertips.

As the clock ticked away under the bright arena lights, the orange ball plunged straight through the basket.