After beating the Thunder, the Suns had two days off.
During the day.
With last night's 50-point explosion and game-winner, plus a second straight Player of the Week award, Blake Su remained the center of attention even without a game. His popularity kept climbing.
At night.
Several matchups drew major attention.
First.
The Lakers faced the Nuggets. It was a showdown between Kobe and Carmelo Anthony. Both poured in 30+, but the defending champions were simply too strong as a unit.
The Nuggets fell short.
Next, Heat vs. Cavaliers—the top team in the East against the conference's bottom team. The game itself wasn't particularly exciting, but LeBron returned to face the franchise he had spent seven years with.
On the road.
He endured boos from start to finish.
Wade and Bosh kept reassuring him, telling him not to let it affect him. LeBron understood—he had been prepared for this the moment he left Cleveland.
And he knew.
Once he won a championship, everything would answer itself.
Cavaliers (85) : (100) Heat.
The Heat won comfortably by 15. Amid constant boos, LeBron finished with 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists—almost as if to say, the jeers wouldn't weaken him.
Then came another marquee matchup.
Celtics vs. Spurs. Eastern third seed vs. Western first seed. The Celtics' "Big Four" against the Spurs' "GDP." On paper alone, it was a heavyweight battle.
But the game didn't unfold as expected.
Pierce, Ray Allen, and Garnett attacked relentlessly—drives to the rim, outside threes, paint scoring. All three positions were firing.
The "fourth giant," Rondo, racked up assists at will.
Even "GDP" couldn't hold them off. By the end of the third quarter, the Celtics were already up 15. Halfway through the fourth, the lead ballooned past 20.
Garbage time arrived early.
In the end, the Celtics crushed the Spurs by 21 points—blowing out the West's top team.
Postgame press conference.
Tonight's MVP, Pierce, who finished with 31 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists, said calmly:
"Lately, a lot of teams and players have been getting attention.
Seems like people have forgotten we were in the Finals last year."
Buzz.
His words immediately reminded fans—the Celtics were last season's Eastern champions and league runners-up. Their strength couldn't be overlooked.
This year, with the "Big Four," Boston still had legitimate championship aspirations.
As Pierce's comments began trending, one fan comment drew fresh attention.
"Hey, have you looked at the Suns' upcoming schedule? Nets, Hornets, Trail Blazers, Celtics, Mavericks, Bulls!
Take one look—
Aside from the Nets, they're all strong teams!"
"Wow!"
Only then did many realize how tough the Suns' next stretch would be. Yet just as many fans were excited, eager to see Blake Su lead the team forward.
...
The next day.
The Suns, set to play the Nets on the road, flew to New Jersey that morning.
On the plane.
Gentry stood at the front, holding the schedule.
"Guys, we just beat the Thunder—the toughest team during this seven-game stretch.
We're not a weak team anymore. We're fighting for a playoff spot. And if we get there, we can make a run."
But.
"The next stretch won't be easy. The Nets may be relatively weaker, but the Hornets, Trail Blazers, Celtics, Mavericks, and Bulls are all strong—especially the Celtics, Mavericks, and Bulls.
We have to stay focused and take every opponent seriously. We're on a seven-game winning streak. I don't know how long it'll last—but I hope it keeps going."
"Do you believe?"
"Oh!"
"Of course!"
Fists went up. Spirits were high.
...
The Suns arrived in New Jersey that afternoon and checked into a hotel near the arena. The players went straight into rest mode.
Time to recharge.
Blake Su shared a standard room with Curry.
"Blake Su, I'm done. I can't stay up anymore. You're on your own."
Curry, who hadn't slept well the night before, tossed that line out and collapsed into bed. He was genuinely exhausted.
Blake Su leaned back against his own bed, his expression turning thoughtful.
"The Thunder's 'Big Three' aren't even fully developed yet and they're already this strong. If that three hadn't gone in last game, we would've lost.
So how strong are the Lakers, Heat, Spurs… and the Bulls with Rose playing at an MVP level?
My body's already strong.
But it's still a single-core team. The overall roster isn't dominant. So… I have to get stronger. Strong enough to carry the Suns further.
That 40+ triple-double System task—
I need to complete it as soon as possible.
I need [Peak Curry Three-Point Shot]."
With that decision made, Blake Su resolved to go all out against the Nets.
He had to secure that "40+ triple-double," complete the System task, and claim the reward.
Lost in thought, he eventually fell asleep.
When he woke up, it was already past five in the afternoon. After dinner at six, it would be time to head to the arena for warmups. Even if the opponent wasn't the strongest, they couldn't afford to relax.
Beep, beep, beep!
Just as he was about to leave, his phone rang.
"Mia Quinn?!"
Seeing the caller ID, Blake Su didn't immediately recognize the name. After a brief hesitation, he answered.
"Hello?"
"Hello? You should call me Quinnie. Blake, I heard you went to the U.S. I'll be coming over soon too. When I'm there, I'll come find you."
"Okay, Mia… Quinnie."
Blake Su remembered his mother, Dolores Su, mentioning a cousin who might come over. Seeing the contact name, he quickly put the pieces together.
So this must be the cousin she was talking about.
He agreed.
"So even in a parallel world, some things change. I never had a Quinnie before."
"Huh? Blake, what did you say? I didn't catch that."
Realizing he had spoken aloud, Blake Su quickly laughed.
"Nothing. When you come, I'll definitely treat you well."
"Good, good. I'll let you know before I head over."
"No problem."
"Bye, Blake!"
"Bye, Quinnie!"
Beep—
The call ended.
Judging by their tone, they seemed close. As Blake Su walked toward the arena, he searched his memory for details about "Mia Quinn."
And sure enough—there were fragments.
Mia Quinn's full name was Mia Quinn. She had graduated from the affiliated opera school of the Imperial Capital Academy of Dramatic Arts and was currently chasing her dream of becoming a well-known actress.
"Mia Quinn?"
Blake Su's eyes widened as the memory clicked into place.