"Beep—beep!"
Alvin Gentry called a timeout.
1:44 remaining.
Rose first completed a "cutting without decelerating" drive for a layup to take a one-point lead. Then, with an "air handle pass," he assisted Korver for a three.
He pushed his explosive talent to the limit—not only erasing the deficit but turning it into a four-point lead.
Now, the Suns had just 1 minute and 1 second left.
Down four with 1:01 on the clock, the pressure shifted squarely onto Phoenix. Gentry had no choice but to call timeout and draw up a scoring plan.
"'Cutting without decelerating,' 'air handle pass'—those aren't moves you can make without elite talent.
Rose has converted that talent into true clutch ability, delivering four huge points in a do-or-die stretch. Impressive.
The Bulls' rise to the top of the East over the Heat's 'Big Three' this season is no coincidence."
From the stands, Parker said with a sigh.
"Absolutely," Ginobili nodded. "Rose has been phenomenal this year. Blake Su missing that three off the double screen really hurt.
But…
You can't expect perfection from a rookie. The fact he's battled Rose to this point is already remarkable. Even if they lose, give him time—he might end up even better than Rose."
"Right," Parker agreed.
"Hey."
Tim Duncan spoke calmly. "Don't rush to conclusions. There's still a minute left. The game's not over."
He didn't say much, but Duncan had an unspoken belief in Blake Su.
This center—overflowing with talent and uniquely skilled offensively—
could take over a game.
Nearby, John Wall clenched his fists, a faintly smug smile on his face.
"Lose. Just lose. That's the Bulls. That's Derrick. That's the 'Windy City Rose' I can't even beat.
Blake Su, you're not winning this either."
On the court.
"Beep!"
Play resumed.
Final 1:01.
"Thump, thump, thump!"
Curry brought the ball up and handed it off to Blake Su as they cleared to one side. Facing Luol Deng, Blake Su didn't hesitate—he drove immediately.
One hard step to the left.
"Screech!"
A sudden stop and between-the-legs crossover sent Luol Deng off balance. Blake Su powered past him in long strides, racing toward the rim for a quick two.
Inside the paint, Boozer and Noah stood ready—four arms raised, waiting.
But fortune favors the bold.
One step inside the free-throw line—
Blake Su gathered and exploded upward.
Like a force descending from the sky, he overpowered four outstretched hands, rising over Boozer and Noah and hammering the ball through the rim.
"Boom!"
The rim rattled violently.
"My goodness! Blake Su just detonated over two defenders! That was sheer force!"
Mike Breen slapped the desk in excitement.
"Strong—so strong!"
Jeff Van Gundy's voice rose. "That was pure dominance from Blake Su. A violent, emphatic dunk.
He's telling the league he can score in every way imaginable—and telling the Bulls that winning here won't come easy."
"Exactly," Mike Breen added. "With that dunk, Blake Su now has 41 points tonight. 44.3 seconds left, down just two—the Suns are still very much alive."
On the court.
Bulls ball.
Rose brought it up, draining the clock before calling for a screen. Isolated against Curry, he relied purely on his physical gifts.
"Whoosh!"
Another burst past Curry, into the lane. Mid-air, he twisted and hung for a double-clutch layup. The difficulty was enormous—
"Clang!"
Missed.
Rebound—
Noah secured it. He kicked it back out to the perimeter. Rose caught it again with 25.1 seconds left. George stepped up to pressure him. They had to get a stop—
Even if… it might be impossible.
Blake Su rushed over as well, forming a trap with George. The two rookies swarmed Rose and forced him to pick up his dribble.
Rose stayed calm, shielding the ball and scanning the floor.
Two rookies weren't enough to rattle him.
Seeing Luol Deng flash into space, Rose passed.
But he overlooked Curry lurking behind them—in their blind spot.
"Smack!"
Curry shot out of nowhere, deflecting the ball forward and sprinting after it.
"Not good!"
Rose spun and gave chase at full speed. He caught up in the frontcourt as Curry gathered the ball—but Curry didn't slow down.
Full speed to the rim.
With Rose riding him defensively, Curry penetrated inside the free-throw circle—then softly tossed the ball high above his head.
Blake Su, sprinting in from behind, planted and soared.
The next instant—
"Boom!"
One hand extended, he caught the ball mid-air and crushed it through the hoop.
"Wow! The alley-oop connection between Curry and Blake Su—smooth and perfectly timed!"
"What a play!"
"The Suns have tied it!"
The home crowd erupted.
"Beep!"
Tom Thibodeau called timeout.
13.8 seconds remained.
"Wow…"
Parker shook his head. "The Bulls were up four a moment ago, and now it's tied. What a game."
"Indeed," Ginobili smiled. "The Suns have shown more resilience than I expected—especially Blake Su. A dunk over defenders, then the alley-oop with Curry.
Four straight points to tie it.
That kind of composure—you wouldn't guess he's a rookie."
"See?" Duncan grinned. "I told you Blake Su is better than you think. A center with that kind of agility and talent—
He's anything but ordinary."
"True," Parker said. "Blake Su has been outstanding. But the Bulls still have one possession. If the Suns get a stop, it's overtime. If not… it's a dagger."
"Beep!"
Timeout over.
The Bulls' final 13.8 seconds began.
"Thump, thump, thump!"
At the top of the key, Rose had the ball—as expected. Guarding him straight up… Blake Su.
Rose milked the clock down to 8.3 seconds.
Luol Deng stepped up to screen. Rose turned the corner to the right wing and rose as if to fire a three to end it. Curry rotated over to contest—careful not to foul.
But with 6.4 seconds left, Rose used a pump fake—
Then exploded.
He blew past Curry like lightning and attacked the rim.
Frye stepped up. George chased from behind.
In mid-air, Rose extended into a massive double-clutch layup attempt.
"Bang!"
"Swish!"
Off the glass—
And in.
"No!"
A cry of despair swept through the arena.