The matchup between the Heat and the Suns was still being hyped up from every direction.
But the regular season was still moving forward.
After All-Star Weekend, the entire league began preparing seriously for the playoffs. The first priority was simple: finish at least in the top eight of the conference.
That was the cutoff for making the postseason.
So right now, every team ranked between seventh and tenth in the East and West was fighting with everything they had, trying to win every single game.
Some were trying to hold onto a top-eight spot. Others were trying to break into one.
As for the teams near the top of the standings, they were taking every game seriously too. The better their records, the more home-court advantage they would have in the playoffs.
And even the teams with worse records had not given up. At the very least, the players on those teams were still going all out every night, trying to put up strong enough performances to earn better contracts.
In short, after All-Star Weekend, every team in the league had become fully locked in on each game.
The regular season was starting to carry a faint playoff atmosphere.
Now, it was March.
Just like the NCAA's thrilling "March Madness," March in the NBA regular season was also its own kind of madness.
...
The next night, the Suns arrived at the Thunder's home court for a road game.
Fans had been disappointed that they did not get to see "Monster Rookie" Blake Su go up against the Thunder's Big Three.
Fortunately, tonight, they would finally get to watch that matchup again.
Soon, under the anticipation of countless fans, the game began.
With Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Harden, the Thunder were loaded with talent. Before the Suns suddenly rose, Oklahoma City had been the biggest dark horse of the season.
However, although this team was full of talent, its defense was only average, at least when compared to the Lakers.
So this matchup became a pure talent-versus-talent shootout.
In the first quarter, Durant scored 15 points for the Thunder. Russell Westbrook added 9, and Harden came off the bench to contribute 5.
For the Suns, Blake Su dropped 18 points in the quarter, while Curry added 8.
By the end of the first quarter, the two teams had gone blow for blow and were tied at 40.
Together, they scored an astonishing 80 points in one quarter.
In the second quarter, the rotation battle began. Harden led the second unit, got the better of George, and helped the Thunder build a 4 point lead.
After the timeout, the two teams went right back into their talent-fueled offensive duel.
The scoring remained explosive, leaving the fans unable to stop applauding and cheering.
By halftime, the score was tied.
Thunder 71, Suns 71.
The two teams had combined for an incredible 142 points in the first half. More importantly, the high-scoring back-and-forth was genuinely spectacular, leaving the fans fired up and completely absorbed.
During halftime, the crowd waited eagerly for an even more exciting offensive battle in the second half.
Soon, the second half began.
Under normal circumstances, the Suns would let Blake Su enter his personal scoring mode in the second half.
Tonight was no exception.
On the Thunder side, Durant also switched into attack mode.
As a result, the entire third quarter turned into a full-scale scoring duel between Blake Su and Durant.
The result?
By the end of the third quarter, Blake Su had once again scored an astonishing 18 points in the period.
Durant, meanwhile, had only 10.
On top of that, the Suns had opened up a 13 point lead.
During the break between quarters, at the commentary desk, Jon Barry smiled and said, "Blake Su and Durant are both among the top scorers in this league, but when you compare the two head-to-head, Blake Su is stronger.
"If I remember correctly, someone once said that Blake Su isn't just a bigger Durant. He's an enhanced version of Durant.
"Blake Su has even better and more stable scoring ability than Durant.
"And tonight, in this ultimate scoring duel, Blake Su's 18 points beat Durant's 10 outright. That also supports the idea that Blake Su is an upgraded Durant."
"That's right."
Mark Jackson picked it up and said, "Durant is one of the top three small forwards in the league. Whether he or Anthony is better is still debatable.
"There is no absolute answer there.
"But the best small forward in the league is definitely 'King James' LeBron. That much is beyond question. So at best, Durant is still number two.
"Blake Su, however, has already beaten out Howard and claimed the title of the league's best center. And he's a best center who mainly attacks from the perimeter.
"Number one versus number two. Upgraded Durant versus Durant.
"No matter which way you compare them, Blake Su is still a level above Durant. So it makes sense that Blake Su was able to outplay Durant in the third quarter."
"But..."
At this point, Mark Jackson paused, softening the statement a little. "Of course, shooting rhythm, form, and plenty of other factors are involved too.
"Right now, the Suns lead by 13, and there is still one quarter left. Let's see how the Thunder try to chase the score in the fourth."
After all, Durant was one of the very best superstars in the league. Mark Jackson did not want to write him off completely, so he added a few more measured words.
On the court, the final quarter began.
After the rotation stretch, Durant returned and immediately hit two straight threes, sounding the horn for a comeback and giving the fans endless hope.
However.
"Swish!"
"Swish!"
Blake Su and Curry each received a pass from Nash, and each buried a three.
Just like that, they directly crushed the Thunder's desire to mount a comeback.
The Thunder's Big Three all erupted together, fighting hard to close the gap.
At one point, they cut the deficit to only 5 points, but the clock had already run too far. In the end, the Thunder could not complete the comeback and lost to the Suns by 5.
"Wow."
After the game, Jon Barry exclaimed, "The final score was Thunder 130, Suns 135. Two teams filled with talented players gave us a brilliant 265 point battle.
"I have to say, that was a feast for the eyes."
"That's right."
Mark Jackson was also excited. "And the lead players on both teams were outstanding. For the Thunder, Durant scored 41 points, Russell Westbrook had 27, and Harden added 18.
"For the Suns, Nash put up a double-double with 15 points and 13 assists. Curry hit 7 threes and scored 30 points. And Blake Su had two incredible 18 point quarters.
"He finished with 55 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks. With a 50+ point performance, he took down the Thunder's Big Three and led his team to victory.
"He was without question tonight's MVP.
"And just like Jon said, regardless of who won or lost, the Thunder and the Suns really did give us a spectacular matchup tonight."
"Heh."
Jon Barry smiled and said, "If the shootout between the Suns and the Thunder's Big Three was already this exciting, then before long, when the Suns face the Heat, when 'Monster Rookie' Blake Su goes head-to-head with the 'Heat Big Three,' won't that be even more spectacular?"