Chapter 277: Splashing water, Nash's habit
With Chen Yan lighting the fuse, Phoenix ripped off a 9 to 1 burst and flipped the game on its head in a blink.
That was Suns basketball at its purest. One run, one wave, and the scoreboard suddenly belonged to them again. They did not fear falling behind, and they never treated defense like a reason to slow down.
Even with America West Arena roaring like a jet engine, Popovich stayed on his feet and kept his timeout in his pocket. He had already spent one on the prior possession. Two early timeouts in a row would have been a white flag, and that was never San Antonio's style.
Parker dribbled through the noise, steadying the ship. The Spurs were too seasoned to let the crowd shake their execution.
San Antonio ran a clean sequence and worked Duncan into a good look at the rim. Diaw stepped in and wrapped him up before he could finish.
Barkley nodded from the booth. "That's a smart foul. You take away the easy two and make him earn it."
Kenny added, voice calm. "Especially against Duncan. He is around 60 percent at the line this season. In the playoffs, that's a trade you can live with."
Clang.
Duncan's first free throw caught iron.
He reset, breathed once, and dropped the second.
11 to 11.
The game was tied, but the Spurs were quietly losing rhythm. They had not manufactured a real open floor score in a while, and Popovich was tracking every empty trip. Still, he did not rush to sub. He wanted his starters to solve the drought together.
Phoenix came back down.
Nash crossed half court with patience. San Antonio's defense was loaded toward Chen Yan now, shading him on every cut, every flare, every step beyond the arc.
Chen Yan sprinted through off ball traffic, used Diaw's screen to shake Bowen, and caught Nash's pass a step outside the three point line. The Spurs switched instantly, and Finley slid into the matchup.
Barkley chuckled. "They are glued to him and he still gets it. If you want to really lock Chen up, you better bring handcuffs."
Kenny laughed. "Seriously. The effort is there, but he is too good at finding daylight."
From the top of the key, Chen Yan called for another pick and roll with Stoudemire. Stoudemire set the screen, Chen Yan tried to turn the corner, and Duncan lunged out with a long stride to cut him off. He did not want to switch twice, he just wanted to stall the drive.
The moment he disrupted Chen Yan's acceleration, Duncan snapped back inside, taking away the passing lane to Stoudemire. At the same time, Finley jumped forward to crowd Chen Yan on the perimeter.
The timing was sharp. The coverage was tight. San Antonio did everything right.
Chen Yan still fired.
Right when Duncan retreated and Finley surged, Chen Yan rose from just outside the arc and launched a deep three. Finley got up late, but Chen Yan's vertical on the shot was so high it looked almost unfair. Finley's hand seemed close, but there was no real contest.
Chen Yan flicked his wrist and held the follow through. Distance was not a question for him anymore. Only touch.
The Suns DJ dragged the moment out like the whole city was holding its breath. "For three…"
Splash.
14 to 11.
Chen Yan stayed frozen in his stance as the arena screamed. The TV cameras caught the same reaction at home, fans jumping before the ball even settled.
Deep threes like that were not common in this era. Most stars still worked with a two step rhythm behind the line. Chen Yan's one step range was from a different timeline, and kids all over the country were already copying it after Game 1, even if half of them could not reach the rim.
San Antonio answered, but their possession got heavy.
Parker got them organized and fed Duncan on the block. Diaw's positioning crowded the turn, so Duncan kicked it out. Bowen caught, faked, couldn't beat Nash, drifted laterally, then swung to Finley. Finley returned to Parker. With the clock under 9, Duncan set another screen to free Parker, then the ball swung back inside.
Too many passes. Too much searching.
Chen Yan read it like a book.
As Duncan moved the ball, Chen Yan exploded with his God Level Steal.
Snap.
He knifed in and stripped it clean, and Duncan stumbled as the turnover landed on the floor.
Phoenix ran right away.
Bowen tried to chase, but his legs were not built for a sprint war anymore. It was not that Bowen got slower, Chen Yan had simply become faster, so the gap looked cruel.
Parker and Finley retreated in time to form a wall near the free throw line. Chen Yan pushed to the stripe, saw the double coming, and swung the ball between his legs into the open lane behind them.
Not showmanship, just the cleanest passing angle available.
Nash caught it beyond the arc.
No dribble. No hesitation.
Splash.
17 to 11.
Barkley slapped the desk. "That is Suns basketball. One steal, one push, and you are staring at a three before you blink."
Kenny nodded. "Perfect transition read. Great pass. Great shot."
The Suns bench stood with three fingers up, celebrating as one.
Nash's role had shifted all year. He was taking only 10.8 shots per game, down about 2 from last season, yet his scoring average stayed steady. With fewer attempts, his efficiency climbed, and a big reason was Chen Yan's gravity. Defenses could not tilt toward Nash anymore when Chen Yan was pulling from the logo.
After the make, Chen Yan pointed at Nash in appreciation. He usually did not run over for a high five, because Nash had a quirky habit after free throws, licking his palms like he was tasting the air. Chen Yan respected the shot, but he was not trying to share whatever ritual that was.
Popovich finally called for time.
The Spurs had gone nearly 4 minutes without a real field goal, surviving only on free throws. For a team that prided itself on control, that was brutal.
Out of the timeout, Popovich went to Ginobili early.
The Magician checked in and struck immediately, slicing through the defense for a clean layup.
Even with the lead, Phoenix stayed locked in. They knew San Antonio too well. The Spurs did not break just because you were up, not even in May.
The first quarter ended with Phoenix ahead 26 to 19, a 7 point cushion as the building kept humming.
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