“Don’t let the opponent throw us off our rhythm. Use your offense to win back the points we lost. I don’t believe Stephen can keep hitting those three-pointers forever.” Jeff Capel’s judgment was absolutely correct.

Although the Thunderbolts’ overall strength was above that of the Wildcats, the Thunderbolts were a single-core team. If Griffin had to attack and also be expected to defend at the highest level, this young player’s stamina would soon be exhausted.

Blake Griffin nodded. Now that he had calmed down, Shawn Finn remembered that the Chinese center hadn’t tried to go one-on-one again before the end of the first half. Maybe that high-post dribble drive was just a fluke.

Carl Whitford was the Thunderbolts’ backup big man, standing at 208 cm and weighing nearly 120 kg. Jeff Capel adjusted the lineup, hoping to unleash Griffin’s abilities on offense, and he instructed his players to attack decisively whenever an opportunity arose. Baldwin and David Pearson were much better than the other Wildcats players.

Stephen Curry had already scored 24 points in the first half, with nearly half the team’s points coming from him.

“Stephen, move more off the ball in the second half. I’ll set you up from the high post.” Before the second half began, Eric Bennett patted Curry on the head again.

“Hey, we really are a natural duo. That’s exactly what I was thinking.” Stephen Curry smiled. He had used up quite a bit of energy in the first half and needed a breather.

Eric Bennett continued to play in the second half. Assistant coach Jennings said worriedly, “He just joined us, and now we’re letting him take on the responsibility of organizing the offense. Isn’t that a bit too…”

Brian Whitman was stern-faced: “Listen, Jennings, in my eyes there’s no such thing as a rookie. Have you forgotten this is the NCAA stage? If Bennett has potential, he has to show it as soon as possible. No one here has the patience to wait for him to slowly grow. I’m not trying to force things, but he has to step up.”

Of course, Brian Whitman had his own motives. With so many scouts and agents watching, if Eric Bennett could play at the level he showed in practice, he’d soon be discovered by that top league.

The second half resumed, and the Thunderbolts made adjustments. Griffin was no longer matched up against Eric Bennett, which was a relief for Eric Bennett—after all, it was a bit too soon to go one-on-one with a likely number one pick.

The Wildcats continued to run pick-and-rolls between Stephen Curry and Eric Bennett. Carl Whitford and David Pearson left a small gap in their defense. Stephen Curry made a quick crossover and drove into the paint. The Thunderbolts hurriedly collapsed their defense, and at that moment, Curry made a flashy behind-the-head pass, sending the ball right to Eric Bennett at the top of the arc.

Eric Bennett caught the ball and shot immediately—clang! Unfortunately, it didn’t go in.

Eric Bennett wiped the sweat from his palm on his shorts. Carl Whitford was much slower than Blake Griffin, but he had just closed out on him very aggressively. Clearly, the Thunderbolts had set up a strategy to deny him three-point shots.

Now it was the Thunderbolts’ turn to counterattack. Blake Griffin received an assist from David Pearson and scored easily under the basket. After scoring, Shawn Finn taunted Eric Bennett, as if to say: I’m going to expose your flashy but empty style!

Suddenly, the Oklahoma Thunderbolts’ arena was filled with gasps of astonishment.

Why were the fans so surprised?

Blake Griffin’s eyes also widened.

Kevin Durant nudged Westbrook, who was playing on his phone.

Reggie Miller was thinking about how to commentate on what just happened…

Wildcats forward McMillan inbounded the ball from the backcourt, but instead of passing to Stephen Curry, who was being tightly guarded in the second half, he gave it to their center, Eric Bennett.

Since their guards were being heavily defended, it wasn’t unusual for a big man to come back and receive the ball to help bring it up, and some big men even dribble the ball past half court.

But Eric Bennett didn’t seem to be coming back just to help out, nor was he simply bringing the ball up. His dribbling rhythm and moves were pure point guard!

A seven-foot-tall point guard?

Wake up, he’s a center!

Thunderbolts forward Baldwin decided to teach the overconfident Eric Bennett a lesson and stepped up to press him. But Eric Bennett used a quick behind-the-back dribble to shake him off. Eric Bennett didn’t seem to be stopping—at that moment, the Wildcats had a five-on-four advantage. After a dazzling series of between-the-legs dribbles, Eric Bennett easily drove past Thunderbolts big man Carl Whitford’s defense. Then he faked a layup, drew Griffin’s help defense, and without looking, made a behind-the-back pass to the corner.

In both college and the NBA, the two corners are the most dangerous spots for Stephen Curry.

Stephen Curry eyed the rim. His slow shooting motion seemed to say, “I could eat a burger before I let this fly.”

Wide open!

With such a huge open shot, a hot hand tonight, and time to set his rhythm, there was no way Stephen Curry would miss.

Corner three—good!

The Wildcats took the lead again.

But at this moment, what surprised everyone even more was that series of moves by Eric Bennett.

It felt as out of place as if Yao Ming had used a crossover to shake off Allen Iverson…