First Quarter.
Blake Su scored only 5 points, mostly watching Curry put on a one-man show. But in the second quarter, in just a little over half a quarter, Blake Su erupted for 17 points.
By halftime, Blake Su had 22 points, paired with Curry's explosive 23-point half.
With the two of them exploding together, the Suns erased a 25-point swing and turned the game around against the Spurs, leading the No.1 team in the West by a full 15 points.
That dealt a heavy blow to Spurs fans. The terrifying scoring ability of Blake Su and Curry made them uneasy, making them truly feel what it meant to be in adversity.
In the stands.
Wall stared at the surreal turn of the game with a dark expression.
"How did this happen? Is that damn rookie Blake Su really this strong?!
Even the No.1 team in the West, even 'GDP', can't beat them?!"
Wall was once again beginning to question life.
As for Griffin, his feelings were still mixed. But this time, his worries and excitement had swapped places. He was worried that Blake Su had finally exploded, yet encouraged by the fact that the Spurs didn't seem quite as unbeatable as before.
Next game.
He had a chance to lead the Clippers to a win over the Spurs and snap their frustrating three-game losing streak.
Across the stands.
Yoona raised her delicate brows.
"Jessica, see? Just like I said. He just hadn't gotten into rhythm yet. Blake Su is still really strong.
Look, the Suns are leading by 15."
"Mm-hmm!"
Jessica nodded with a smile.
"He's really impressive. Great skills, and his looks match our taste too. I think… I'm becoming a fan of Blake Su."
"I'm already a fan!"
Yoona laughed.
Meanwhile, Roger Federer, who had long since become a fan and had come to watch again, was completely fired up watching Blake Su's offensive explosion in the second quarter, enjoying the game to the fullest.
...
Halftime.
Spurs locker room.
The atmosphere was somewhat heavy.
Going from leading by 10 to trailing by 15, a 25-point swing, was not something anyone could take lightly.
"It's fine."
Ginobili stepped forward.
"It's only 15 points. We still have two quarters left. We're the best team in the West. We can catch up.
Besides, we've already come back from a 15-point deficit this season.
So don't lose confidence. Believe in yourselves. We can do it. We've always been a powerhouse in the West and one of the best teams in the league."
"Right."
Parker nodded.
"They're young and full of firepower, but they lack experience. In the second half, we'll use our experience to launch a run.
We'll put together a scoring run, erase the deficit, and win the game. We can do it."
"Oh!"
The team nodded.
With encouragement from two members of the "GDP" trio, the Spurs players regained their confidence.
Meanwhile, Tim Duncan, the "Big Fundamental", who had been posterized earlier in the game, remained silent.
But the calmness in his eyes alone gave everyone a sense of reassurance.
...
Soon.
The 15-minute halftime break ended.
Second half.
Teams switched sides and the game resumed.
Spurs possession.
Parker brought the ball up, used a screen from Ginobili, accelerated from the right wing into the paint, and before Carter could rotate over to help, he released another soft floater.
"Swish!"
Good.
Then another pick-and-roll between Parker and Ginobili created an opportunity for Parker again. With his shooting touch hot tonight, he attacked once more before Blake Su could rotate over.
"Whoosh!"
Parker released another floater.
The floater is one of the most common ways for smaller guards to avoid shot blockers, and Parker is one of the league's most accurate players with it.
But this time, the defender was Blake Su.
Height, long arms, and a terrifying vertical.
"Clang!"
The shot missed under Blake Su's contest.
But Tim Duncan secured the offensive rebound. As he grabbed it, he immediately went back up, slightly shifting sideways and finishing with a small hook facing the basket.
"Swish!"
Good.
Next possession.
Tim Duncan called for the ball in the left low post. Posting up Frye, he powered through contact with his core before suddenly spinning, creating separation.
He slipped into the paint and finished with a sideways bank off the glass.
"Swish!"
Good.
Next play.
Still the left low post.
Duncan caught the ball. Frye was under the rim and didn't step up in time, so Duncan calmly rose for a jumper.
His signature bank shot.
"Swish!"
Another one.
"Clang!"
Curry missed a three that would have extended his hot streak.
Parker pushed the ball up again and fed Duncan once more in the left low post. Facing Frye, Duncan backed him down with one strong step.
Half-turn mid-range jumper.
"Bang!"
"Swish!"
Another signature bank shot.
"So steady, incredibly steady. Tim's bank shot is so reliable it makes you feel at ease. Whenever he shoots it, you almost feel like it's guaranteed to go in.
Wow.
It's Tim again. He catches the ball, explodes immediately, and finishes with a twisting dunk despite Frye's contest.
Tim is truly remarkable.
The team is down 15 points. In the previous quarter he was posterized by a rookie and turned into a highlight backdrop.
Yet he remains completely unfazed.
The 'Big Fundamental' Tim Duncan.
Steady as a mountain.
Five straight scoring plays.
Ten consecutive points.
With the team stuck in adversity, the 'Big Fundamental' stepped forward. The Spurs answered with a 12–3 run, cutting the Suns' lead down to just 6 points.
Parker in good times. Duncan in bad times.
With Parker and Duncan pulling the wagon together, how could the Spurs not be formidable?"
Mark Jackson praised them while commentating.
Jon Barry added,
"Don't forget Ginobili.
The 'GDP' trio is no joke.
With the gap only 6 points and more than a quarter left to play, tonight's outcome is still completely up in the air.
This is a clash between the No.1 and No.2 teams in the West.
It won't end that easily."
And indeed.
Just as Jon Barry said, after the "Big Fundamental" exploded, the game entered a tense stretch of back-and-forth scoring.
Trading baskets.
Neither side giving an inch.
Until the end of the third quarter, neither team managed to put together a decisive run.
The score difference hovered around five points.
After three quarters.
The Suns led by 5.
A two-possession game.
With an entire quarter left to play, that could only be called a lead, not a true advantage.
Quarter break.
At the commentary table.
Jon Barry said,
"After the Spurs fell into adversity at halftime, Tim, as the team leader, bravely stepped up and carried the responsibility. With his rock-solid low-post scoring, like the 'Big Fundamental', he helped the team close the gap."
"Exactly."
Mark Jackson smiled.
"Tim Duncan, the 'Big Fundamental' who seems born for adversity, always steps up to score when the team is trailing, giving his teammates a calming sense of confidence.
The 'Big Fundamental' truly lives up to his name."