"Down 23 at halftime? It's over!"
"Don't do this. Conley, Allen, Gay, Marc Gasol, Randolph, can you guys explode just once? Just once.
"As long as we win, that's enough."
"The Suns only have Blake Su, just one rookie. Even the 'Black Bear and White Bear' duo can't stop him?"
"It's over. It's really over now."
"If we lose tonight, winning Game 7 will be way too hard."
"A 23-point gap is too big. Is this series really going to follow the script written by that arrogant rookie Blake Su?!"
"Hang in there, Grizzlies!"
"..."
The Grizzlies fans were completely panicking.
But... their unwillingness to accept defeat, along with their thirst for victory, kept them clinging to a sliver of hope. They were still fantasizing about a miraculous comeback in the second half.
As for the Suns fans, they were already in a victory-celebration mood.
Blake Su had hit six threes in a single quarter and poured in 29 points by halftime. Curry and George were also sharp on offense. The three young forces of the Suns' new generation were all blooming at once.
They knew that against a Suns team like this, the Grizzlies had no chance of winning.
At the commentary desk.
Jon Barry adjusted his collar and said, "Mark, what do you think about tonight? Or rather... how do you see the series going from here?"
"Uh..."
Mark Jackson thought for a moment and said, "There's still a half left tonight. Being down 23 is obviously a huge uphill battle.
"But it wouldn't be appropriate to say the Grizzlies have already lost.
"However, if the Grizzlies lose tonight, then for Game 7, I can say with certainty that the Suns will win."
"Why is that?"
Jon Barry pressed, asking the question on the minds of many fans watching the game.
"Because tonight is the Grizzlies' best chance to win."
Mark Jackson adjusted his mic and continued, "First of all, the Grizzlies still have two chances to close the series tonight.
"In other words, even if they lose, it won't be a fatal blow. Psychologically, they aren't under that much pressure. The pressure is on the Suns.
"Second, they have absolute home-court advantage. The Grizzlies fans have really shown up tonight, and the atmosphere is incredible. Playing in this kind of home environment gives them an extra boost.
"If they still can't win under these conditions, then after losing three straight games, facing another elimination game, and having to play on the road, the Grizzlies' confidence will take a massive hit. It may even drop all the way to rock bottom.
"They won't have any chance to win.
"By then, even though it will be called a do-or-die Game 7, in reality, it will be a game with no suspense at all. The Suns will be certain to win."
"That makes sense."
Jon Barry nodded in agreement, then added, "So... you could say tonight is the Grizzlies' final chance to end the series.
"Can the Grizzlies fight back in the second half?
"Let's wait and see."
As the commentators chatted, the second half began.
The commentators and fans all thought, or hoped, that the Grizzlies would fight with everything they had, unleash their strongest push, close the gap, and bring suspense back into the game.
But some things cannot happen just because people wish for them.
The Suns were first in the West and first in the entire league during the regular season. They were an incredibly strong team that had recorded two separate 20-plus-game winning streaks in a single season.
They had overwhelming strength.
Now they also had a 23-point lead. Even with the Grizzlies at home, going all in and fighting with their backs against the wall, they were still under tremendous pressure.
Their offense could not get going.
Or rather... they could not produce the kind of big run needed to fight back.
Midway through the third quarter, the gap was 22 points.
By the end of the third quarter, the gap was 14 points.
It seemed as if there was a faint chance of a comeback, but in the fourth quarter, after only half a quarter, the gap widened again to 18 points.
On the surface, cutting it down by five seemed possible.
However... the Grizzlies only had half a quarter left. They did not give up. They were still fighting with everything they had.
Unfortunately, time waits for no one.
In the blink of an eye, only 1 minute and 13 seconds remained, while the gap was still 11 points. And that was only because Blake Su had already clocked out long ago.
In the end, the Suns won by a commanding 13 points, once again slaughtering the Grizzlies on the road. They won three straight games and forcefully rewrote the series from 0-3 to 3-3.
They dragged the series into Game 7!
After the game.
At the commentary desk.
Jon Barry said, "Blake Su played less than half of the third quarter, picked up 5 points and 3 assists, then called it a night.
"In the first quarter, he also played only half the period.
"Tonight, Blake Su was on the floor for roughly two quarters, yet he still produced a gorgeous stat line of 34 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.
"He was once again the undisputed MVP of the night.
"It's worth mentioning that before Blake Su, in the 2002 playoff matchup between the Celtics and the 76ers, Antoine Walker, the sixth pick from the '96 Golden Generation,' hit six threes in a single quarter, setting the NBA playoff record for threes made in one quarter.
"Tonight... Blake Su also hit six threes in one quarter. As a rookie center, tying that record is truly remarkable."
"Exactly."
Mark Jackson smiled and agreed. "Blake Su has already put together a crazy rookie season that stands above even the 'God of Basketball,' Michael Jordan.
"He is absolutely incredible.
"Also, now that the Suns have slaughtered the Grizzlies once again and dragged the series into Game 7, the truth is... Game 7 has no suspense left."
As the commentators spoke.
At the same time.
On the court.
ESPN's renowned reporter "Woj" once again found Blake Su tonight, ready to interview the player who had performed best and led his team to victory.
"Damn it!"
When Blake Su heard Jon Barry say that he had tied the playoff record for threes in a single quarter, he was so angry he could not help cursing.
"Why didn't you say that earlier?"
"If you'd told me earlier, I would've made one more three. Then I would've broken the record, broken three records in a single series, and completed the random mission.
"Then I could've received ["The Glove" Gary Payton's defense]!
"Seriously..."
Blake Su felt depressed.
"What's wrong? You won and you're still not happy?"
Woj walked over and asked with a smile.
Seeing that there was an interview, Blake Su finally managed his emotions and put on a professional "work-mode" smile. "No, of course I'm happy we won."
"Heh."
Woj smiled. He really liked Blake Su, this genius he had been following and interviewing throughout the way.
"Blake Su, congratulations. Tonight, you delivered another brilliant performance, led your team to victory, and dragged the series from a desperate 0-3 deficit all the way into Game 7.
"Back on their home court, the Suns will have every advantage. So, about Game 7, is there anything you want to say?"
"Uh..."
Blake Su thought for a moment, then shrugged. "Not much. After all... everything is going according to the script I wrote before."
...
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