Basketball miracles

Chapter 241 [Historical Records, For Heaven's Sake]

In the final quarter, Don Nelson again fielded a two-guard lineup, with Nash partnering with Tony Delk. Nelson also had Walker play power forward, while Jamison went to the bench for a rest.

Old Nelson is now "trying anything as a last resort," wanting to see how well he can get Delk to double-team Xiao Tu.

Xiao Tu remained calm when he saw the Mavericks' lineup, having already planned how to play before even arriving in Dallas.

You can substitute players as you like. No matter what defensive strategy I employ, I can score.

As long as I take a lot of shots, I can score points by taking more shots; I can ignore the shooting percentage. Compared to super stats, my shooting percentage isn't that important today.

The Mavericks started the game, and Delk performed well on offense, shaking off Eddie Jones with a screen and hitting a three-pointer from the left 60-degree angle. 101-89.

The Mavericks' offense is incredibly strong. The Heat only had Xiao Tu on the baseline, and the other players still left gaps in their defense.

Kenny Smith said, "Both sides were playing at a high level in regulation time, constantly going at it offensively."

Barkley said, "Delker has been excellent offensively, scoring 14 points today. Jones didn't play well, otherwise the gap between the two sides would have widened."

Jones was a mismatch against Delk for a long time, but he didn't score much because his offense relied too much on his jump shot. This is also related to Riley's tactics; Jones has been a role player this season and hasn't been able to get many shots to find his rhythm.

The Heat were on offense, with Finley and Delke double-teaming Xiao Tu on the perimeter, leaving Wade open. Now the Mavericks were directly double-teaming him off the ball, their primary task being to limit Xiao Tu's scoring.

Nash went to defend Jones, leaving not only one player unmarked on the court, but also a clear mismatch.

Wade had an open jump shot opportunity but didn't shoot; Riley told him to take fewer shots and pass the ball more.

Xiao Tu made an off-ball run to the baseline, but was still followed by two players. Wade looked awkward for a moment on the court, unable to pass the ball out, and his open three-pointer from the middle missed.

Riley watched from the sidelines, shaking his head. Wade was in the same preseason, shooting less than 30% from jump shots and only able to score on drives. He did listen to Xiao Tu's advice, though; today he didn't take open mid-range shots, but instead took three-pointers.

Riley can't always keep Wade on the bench; rookies need experience to realize their potential.

When they returned to defense, Xiao Tu also clapped twice and gave Wade a thumbs up to encourage him to shoot an open three-pointer.

Future All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo plays like this: take every open shot, otherwise the opponent will always give him two steps. During the 2020 playoffs, Rondo's three-point shooting percentage was over 40%, the highest on the Lakers.

The Mavericks were on offense. Nash and Nowitzki combined for a three-pointer, with Nash pulling up for a quick step-back on the right side. Another three-pointer! 101-92.

The enthusiastic applause from the fans gave them renewed hope of winning; the three-pointer was a fast way to close the gap.

The Heat are on offense. Xiao Tu makes an off-ball run, drawing two defenders. Wade drives, drawing Nowitzki's help defense, and passes the ball to the middle, where Haslem easily scores with a mid-range jumper. 103-92.

Haslem was having a great day. He was outmaneuvered and his shots were as easy as if he were in practice. He was very confident in his open shots.

The Mavericks players passed the ball around a few times, Finley's jump shot missed, and Xiao Tu grabbed the defensive rebound, his 9th of the game.

At this point, the Mavericks completely abandoned their low-post offense and focused on competing with the Heat in outside shooting. Nowitzki is a well-known "big guard," and his shots are mostly jump shots from outside the paint, while Walker is not good at strong drives.

Xiao Tu dribbled quickly up the court from the backcourt, changed direction and got past Walker. When he was about to dribble behind his back to get past Finley, he was grabbed.

Finley fouled Xiao Tu before he could shoot, denying him a free throw opportunity. Unfortunately, the Mavericks players did so a little too late; Xiao Tu had already scored a lot of points and was now relaxed and not in a hurry.

The ball was inbounded and passed around a few times before reaching the baseline. Odom's layup attempt missed under Nowitzki's interference. Another weakness of the Mavericks was exposed: their inadequate protection of defensive rebounds.

Haslem grabbed the offensive rebound and passed it to Xiao Tu, who was cutting inside from the middle.

Xiao Tu received the ball and jumped to prepare for a layup. At the same time, Finley jumped up and fouled Xiao Tu, sending him to the free throw line.

Mavericks fans have stopped booing Xiao Tu; in fact, many are applauding him.

Xiao Tu calmly made both free throws, making it 105-92, his 55th point.

Barkley said, "Shaw was too good today; he still managed to score even when double-teamed."

Smith said, "His free throws are incredibly consistent. He's really going to create a 60+ triple-double miracle today! Many Mavericks fans also want to see him put up amazing numbers."

After a while, Nash and Wade became the main players on the court, trading baskets and scoring repeatedly. The Mavericks' defense focused on Xiao Tu, while Wade began to utilize his physical advantages on fast breaks. Wade was the most aggressive player on the court, and the Mavericks players left him wide open, giving him ample time to accelerate. When Wade got going, it was difficult for the interior players to help defend, let alone the slender Nash.

Xiao Tu was also very aggressive on fast breaks, and in the final quarter he had a physical advantage, becoming more and more energetic as he ran.

With 7 minutes and 14 seconds left, Odom missed a layup, and Xiao Tu followed up to grab the offensive rebound. He then launched a powerful floater from close range, dodging Walker's block and scoring, bringing his personal 57th point.

At this point, Xiao Tu had already grabbed his 10th rebound, achieving a super triple-double.

With 6 minutes and 22 seconds remaining, the Heat launched a fast break, a 3-on-3 situation in the frontcourt. Xiao Tu received a pass from Wade, stopped abruptly on the right side, stepped back, and launched a three-pointer over Finley's defense at a 60-degree angle, scoring his 60th point.

He played very simply in the final quarter, shooting whenever he had the chance. He made 1 of 3 three-pointers, and that basket made the Mavericks players' hearts skip a beat.

When Xiao Tu returned to defense, he patted his left chest and raised his index finger to the sky in celebration, signifying "we are only thinking of God".

This is Stephen Curry's classic celebration move, and Xiao Tu did it in his excitement. He shot a lot of three-pointers today and couldn't help but think of Curry.

The Mavericks fans in the arena applauded Xiao Tu, many captivated by his dazzling performance. Watching the home team play would never yield such a high-scoring performance.

Barkley said, "Nowitzki's scoring ability can't compare to Shaw's. His highest single-game score was 42 points against the Trail Blazers in this year's playoffs. Shaw's single-game score today surpassed that of the four best shooting guards."

Smith exclaimed, "That's incredible! It's unbelievable that this is only his rookie season and his fourth game in his career!"

"He still managed a triple-double today, which is incredible. Maybe, as he himself said, his playing style makes it easy for him to get triple-doubles."

Since the score difference between the two sides was not large enough, Xiao Tu was not immediately substituted off the court.

At 5 minutes and 18 seconds, Xiao Tu received the ball in the low post on the left side, attracting a double team and passing the ball to Wade, who had an open three-pointer in the middle and finally made one.

Wade made 1 of 3 three-point attempts today, which did provide some relief.

With 4 minutes and 23 seconds remaining, Nash committed a turnover on a pass to the inside, and Grant stole the ball and passed it to Wade for a fast break. Wade quickly advanced the ball up the court, drawing help defense, and then passed it to Xiao Tu, who was following up on the right side.

To strengthen the defense, Nelson substituted Delk, who had scored 17 points. Jamison wasn't quick enough to get back on defense and couldn't double-team Finley on fast breaks.

Xiao Tu received the ball and forced his way up three steps close to Finley, drawing a foul. He made both free throws, scoring his 62nd point.

By the second half of the final quarter, Finley was exhausted and would be beaten by Xiao Tu if he didn't foul.

Xiao Tu's lotus-like body gives him a physical advantage in every game. He can sit in the locker room for a while during halftime and then sprint back and forth in the second half.

He pedals his bicycle like crazy in the summer, which is more tiring than playing a competition, but he can endure it.

Finley is a formidable opponent and was once considered "Jordan's successor." However, his matchup against Xiao Tu shows that youth has its disadvantages, and Xiao Tu is already in his decline. After 30, athletes generally face declining physical condition and increased injuries, and Finley is no exception.

Don Nelson called a timeout, not to adjust tactics, but to remind Riley that it was time to give the home team some face.

At this point, the score difference between the two sides had widened to 20 points, and Xiao Tu was finally substituted.

As Xiao Tu left the court, he high-fived each of his teammates in celebration. Many Mavericks fans applauded him again, and a female fan very close to the bench shouted, "Xiao! I love you!"

肖途出战不到39分钟，33投20中，三分球16中10，罚球12中12，狂砍62分11篮板16助攻1抢断，还有2次失误3次犯规。

Mavericks fans adore Xiao Tu, yet Xiao Tu completely disregarded the Mavericks during the draft. If he were to replace Josh Howard as the last overall pick in the first round, it would be the worst thing that could happen.

No ball possession, long-term support for Nowitzki, that soft guy—that's the treatment a Mavericks rookie gets.

With the Heat's key players all substituted and resting, the game entered garbage time.

Don Nelson also substituted his starters, leaving Jamison as the sole scorer. Jamison, who was already a substitute and had only played a little over 20 minutes per game since the start of the season, was somewhat dissatisfied with the coaching staff's decision.

The Mavericks' morale was low, and there was no possibility of a comeback with the remaining time. Don Nelson didn't like having his star players pad their stats and play the "never give up" game during garbage time; it would be a huge loss if they got injured.

(End of this chapter)