Chapter 72

69 to 66, the game between the Suns and the 76ers entered the latter half of the third quarter.

The 76ers still maintained a slight lead on the road, with a 3-point difference.

After the substitutions, both teams dispatched their most offensive lineups, and the decisive moments of the game arrived early.

The Suns maintained the peculiar rotation from the first quarter, with Marion and Diaw in the frontcourt, paired with the sharpshooters Bell and James Jones on the perimeter, and Nash orchestrating the backcourt.

In the 76ers' starting lineup, the defensively strong but offensively weak Hunter was replaced by Chen Mu, who energized the offense. The frontcourt now had two playmaking pivots, while Iverson moved to the weak side to draw defensive attention.

The game resumed!

The Suns had the ball, and after reaching the frontcourt, they made a slight tactical adjustment.

Although they still used the V-formation, this time the two frontcourt players did not immediately set screens. Instead, Diaw moved to the top of the key, and Nash dribbled to the left side, then passed the ball to the frontcourt magician.

James Jones on the weak side moved up to the 45-degree angle, and Diaw passed the ball to him, then quickly cut inside to set a screen for Jones.

Jones dribbled laterally and began to cut from a position slightly to the right of the top of the key.

Marion simultaneously moved up to set a screen for Diaw, then ran to the three-point line.

Diaw used the screen to drive to the basket, completing the basic positioning.

"Third variation of the V-formation offense!"

In Chen Mu's mind, the tactical analysis skills honed through countless hours of gaming in the original timeline began to take effect. He quickly judged the subsequent developments, gently pulled Weber to defend the basket, and quickly moved up to guard Marion near the three-point line.

Jones reached the free-throw line, and Weber was already in position. Diaw's offensive power was not as strong as Marion's, leaving no space to attack the basket. Jones turned and passed the ball to Nash on the left side of the three-point line.

Nash received the ball and smoothly passed it to the top of the key.

According to the tactical positioning, at this point, the ball movement and off-ball screens by Marion and Diaw should have caused defensive confusion for Chen Mu and Weber, giving Marion a three-point opportunity at the top of the key.

This tactic is a derivative of the V-formation offense, but it is also one of the three basic setups. The Suns had practiced it countless times, and it was so familiar that they could execute it without thinking.

However, Chen Mu had already anticipated the pass.

"Slap!"

Chen Mu intercepted the ball. While Marion and Nash were momentarily stunned, Iverson had already started sprinting.

At this moment, the arena cameras captured an incredible scene:

Chen Mu's left hand extended forward, making contact with Nash's pass. Without any adjustment, he used a "push-pass" motion to send the ball directly to the frontcourt.

Although this move seemed almost magical, like something from a "fantastic basketball masterpiece" in the original world, it was indeed possible under specific circumstances.

Iverson, caught off guard by the speed of Chen Mu's pass, received the ball before Nash could even start moving, and ran to the frontcourt for an easy layup.

5-point difference!

"This passing skill... Is this kid really a frontcourt player...?!"

Marion was also taken aback. Chen Mu's quick action was like a one-touch pass in soccer, with the ball not pausing in the air but simply changing direction and heading to the frontcourt.

This level of adjustment required not only Chen Mu's extraordinary passing vision but also his exceptional ball-handling skills. A one-handed pass from the weak side in mid-air was extremely rare in the history of the league.

And the 76ers had two frontcourt players with such astonishing passing skills.

"Shawn, post up!"

On the next possession, Nash controlled the ball and called out to Marion. All the Suns players understood and immediately began the second variation of the V-formation offense.

Jones and Bell positioned themselves at the corners, Diaw moved to the high post, and Nash dribbled to the left side.

Marion, unusually, moved directly to the low post, using his long arms and muscles to pin Chen Mu behind him and signaled for the ball.

Nash and Diaw passed the ball back and forth several times, finally finding a passing lane at the 45-degree angle and cleanly passing the ball into the post.

Marion successfully posted up and began a low-post isolation against Chen Mu.

"Thud, thud, thud"

Marion dribbled while pushing Chen Mu toward the basket with his strength.

After a few probing moves, Marion spun toward the center, preparing to execute his classic "claw hook shot."

At this point, Weber had left Diaw at the top of the key and joined the double team. The former Kings' core player had a high basketball IQ and knew that Marion's passing from the low post was poor, so he made a decisive choice, extending his long arms to block Marion's path.

"Shawn, pass back!"

Nash shouted anxiously. Marion, with no other choice, turned to pass the ball, but instead of Nash, he saw a yellow-skinned figure.

"What...?!"

Marion was surprised, having no idea when Chen Mu had moved into the passing lane. He quickly tried to recover the ball and turn toward the baseline, looking for an opportunity to attack the basket between Chen Mu and Weber.

"Beep, beep!"

The referee's whistle blew, calling a traveling violation on Marion.

"Wait... wait! Ref, my pivot foot is still my left foot, it didn't leave the ground, the pivot foot didn't change, I didn't travel!"

Marion argued, but Chen Mu pulled him away.

"Hey, Shawn, don't argue."

Chen Mu smiled, "Didn't you see the ref's eyes? If you argue a bit more, you might get a T!"

Marion was taken aback, feeling a sense of familiarity with these words. After calming down, he recalled where they came from.

"Damn, this Chinese kid, using my own words to comfort me!"

Indeed, these words were what Marion had said to Chen Mu when Chen Mu received his first T while playing for the Suns.

Now the roles were reversed, with a rookie returning to his old team comforting a veteran who had played in the NBA for years, leaving Marion feeling both amused and bewildered.

"I really can't figure out if this kid is just overly simple or has a deep, scary mind...!"

Generally, when an opponent is emotionally agitated, few people would step forward to comfort them and warn them about getting a T.

But Chen Mu made this choice with his former teammate, leaving Marion puzzled about what Chen Mu was thinking.

In reality, Chen Mu's thoughts were very straightforward:

"If I can't defeat Marion head-on, I can't prove that Colangelo made the wrong choice. I have to defeat Marion honorably, and defeating anyone else doesn't count!"

On the 76ers' next possession, Chen Mu had a sudden idea and shouted to Iverson, "Mu-style strategy!"

"Oh...?"

Iverson quickly reacted, recalling the so-called "Mu-style strategy" used against the Heat. He felt a sudden joy, nodded slightly, and began giving tactical instructions to his teammates while dribbling.

Iverson made a flat "six" gesture with his right hand, and the players were taken aback.

Us? Run the V-formation offense??

But with the team leader giving such instructions, the players no longer questioned and positioned themselves accordingly. Covelli and Iguodala moved to the corners, while Chen Mu and Weber moved up to the high post to set screens for Iverson at the top of the key.

Iverson ran out from Chen Mu's side, and Nash was tightly screened by Chen Mu. Marion quickly moved to help, preparing to execute a show-recover defense, where Marion would delay Iverson and then quickly switch back to Nash.

Iverson seized the moment when Marion showed, suddenly spun his body, and used a behind-the-back dribble to slip past Marion's defense, threading through the gap between the two defenders.

One screen and roll broke the Suns' perimeter defense, and Diaw, with no choice, left Weber to block Iverson.

Iverson lobbed a high pass, and the ball landed in Weber's hands on the weak side. Nash also turned and quickly moved to defend Weber.

The Suns' defense near the three-second area was in chaos, and no one noticed Chen Mu's movement.

But Weber had seen it.

"Whoosh"

The ball whizzed through the air, and Chen Mu, who had just turned, dashed through the gap between Diaw and Nash, perfectly receiving the ball and leaping into the air.

"Bang!"

A thunderous dunk, and Chen Mu landed, flexing his muscles for the camera under the basket before heading back on defense.

"Too, too amazing...!"

The commentator was speechless. The V-formation offense was the Suns' killer move, and the 76ers were boldly using it against them, turning the tables with their own tactics.

In the 76ers' frontcourt, Weber's offensive power was not strong, even less so than Diaw's after his injury.

But in terms of passing and playmaking, Weber's skills were on par with Diaw's.

One screen and roll, two passes, and the most explosive player, Chen Mu, seized the opportunity to attack the basket. This combination was exquisite and left the audience in awe.

Especially after the Suns' consecutive V-formation offenses failed, the 76ers successfully executed the tactic, scoring directly. This bold strategy undoubtedly stabbed a dagger into the hearts of the Suns.

"In your face! Ha ha!!"

Owner Su was ecstatic, cheering for the 76ers, drawing disapproving glances from the surrounding Suns fans, who couldn't understand which team this guy in a Suns jersey was supporting.

In the next possession, the Suns changed their strategy. Nash dribbled around the paint and, from near the free-throw line, hit a fadeaway jump shot, reducing the deficit to 5 points.

But the 76ers didn't give the Suns a chance to rest, running the V-formation offense again in the frontcourt. This time, Iverson broke from Weber's side, Weber drove to the basket, and Chen Mu moved to the right side of the three-point line.

The Suns' frontcourt defense was more focused, and Weber had no opportunity, so Iverson passed the ball to Chen Mu.

Chen Mu received the ball, and Iverson continued to drive to the basket, while Weber moved to the strong side corner.

Iverson had an open look at the basket!

On the baseline, Bell, defending Covelli, had no choice but to step back to delay Iverson's cut, fearing Chen Mu's inside pass.

Covelli took advantage of the situation, moving up to the left 45-degree angle, creating a two-step gap with Bell. Chen Mu, seeing the opportunity, passed the ball without looking.

Covelli received the ball and immediately took a three-point shot. Under the watchful eyes of the fans, the ball seemed to fly for an eternity before perfectly arching into the basket.

"Swish!"

As the ball went through the net, Chen Mu clenched his right fist, his face full of determination, and pointed to the VIP box high above the court.

"In your face! Colangelo!"

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