The Miami Heat's home court is in downtown Miami, Florida, where the climate is truly wonderful. After the Thunder players got off the plane, they couldn't help but discuss:
"Besides Los Angeles, my favorite place is here. Sunshine and beaches are my absolute favorite!"
On the way to the hotel, Russell said, sounding somewhat intoxicated.
"I like it here too. The girls here are very hot. Last year, I stayed in Miami for a long time during the offseason."
For Jeff Green, who likes Latinas, this was indeed a good place.
"Alright guys, after you put your luggage in the hotel, wait for my text message. I promise, I'll make sure you have a wonderful night!"
Durant started contacting his good brothers as soon as he got off the plane. When in Miami, he had to have some fun.
"Kevin, keep it low-key. Give Coach Brooks some face!"
Kayce quickly reminded Durant. Going out to have fun was fine, but it should be done discreetly. Doing it ostentatiously would be too much.
Durant immediately lowered his voice, patted Kayce's shoulder, and indicated that he would show him a good time tonight!
The nightlife in America is diverse. As long as you have money, you can choose from various services. Tonight, Durant and Beasley were treating everyone to a private, small venue.
It was high-quality and private, exclusively serving wealthy big spenders, and generally not open to the public. Of course, if you were a beautiful woman, you would be welcomed for free.
Many high-end gold diggers would come here to find a sugar daddy. Catching one meant at least half a year of not worrying about food and drink.
Kayce and his group were dressed rather low-key tonight, but their low-key attire also revealed a hint of luxury, as could be seen from the large gold chains around their necks.
Beasley was also a member of the chain-wearing tribe, with chains of various lengths, widths, and styles. Kayce felt tired just looking at them!
"Hey, Bro, thanks for the treat tonight. This place is awesome. Next time you're in Oklahoma City, be sure to call me. Don't be shy!"
Kayce first exchanged a series of flashy hand gestures with Beasley, then bumped fists in greeting, officially initiating their bro-mode.
"Kayce, you're much cooler in person than in pictures. Kevin always talks about you. Let loose tonight, don't worry, I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"
Beasley said to Kayce, beaming. Black brothers definitely care about face, and tonight's bill was on Beasley.
Multi-colored lights flashed wildly, and the music blared like wailing ghosts, but it had to be said that the girls Beasley found were of good quality.
A voluptuous blonde woman saw the tall and handsome Kayce and immediately latched onto him. With drinks flowing, everyone chatted and played, quickly getting into the mood.
Except for Ibaka, who was a bit reserved as it was his first time in such a setting, Kayce, Russell, Durant, Jeff Green, and Beasley were already having a blast.
Kayce had the best alcohol tolerance, accepting every drink, almost getting Beasley to swear brotherhood with him.
Besides drinking, bragging, and chatting, the rest was just a wild, chaotic dance.
On the dance floor, the blonde woman clung tightly to Kayce. Her figure was incredible! Once she hugged him, she wouldn't let go.
Kayce didn't mind. Tonight, at most, he would practice his ball-handling skills. As for driving to the basket, he had no such intention. Feeling the increasingly soft body in his arms, he sighed silently:
"Boys really need to protect themselves when they're out."
The next morning, Kayce still woke up refreshed for his morning run. Although he felt a tiny bit of mental fatigue, after drinking the B+ level functional beverage, his body had recovered to its optimal state.
During the afternoon training session, Kayce saw that the few people who had partied last night were still a bit dazed, and he couldn't help but tease them:
"Your alcohol tolerance is too poor. Remember to exercise more during the offseason!"
"God, we shouldn't have drunk with you. I missed that beautiful Latina girl!"
Jeff Green looked regretful. Why drink? Wouldn't it be better to practice ball more?
"It's a shame, indeed. We drank too much last night. I don't even remember how much I drank. Next time, let's set the rules beforehand!"
Durant also felt a bit regretful. The girls last night were indeed good. He really should have drunk less.
"Alright, when we go back to Oklahoma City, I'll treat everyone. It's time to try something new. I have a brilliant idea!"
Kayce was about to introduce his planned big party when he was suddenly interrupted by Russell.
"Nina said that if you're having a party in Oklahoma City, you absolutely have to bring her, otherwise, you know, she'll definitely tell Britney on you!"
"…" Kayce was speechless. Being a henpecked husband was not good!
The atmosphere at the American Airlines Center was red-hot tonight. The team's record so far this season was excellent, with a 7-2 start, which made the fans very happy.
However, Miami Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra felt it was tricky because the Heat's lineup didn't quite match up against the Thunder. Seeing a bunch of small guards under his command, he immediately became worried.
The San Antonio Spurs could contain the Thunder because their frontcourt players matched up in size, plus they had defensive anchor Duncan inside. The Miami Heat couldn't compare in this regard. If they played one big and four small, the small players outside would be too small.
"This is the only way. I hope the opponent isn't shooting well tonight!"
Erik Spoelstra looked at the tactics board and thought silently.
The Thunder's 10-game winning streak had, after all, attracted a lot of media attention.
ESPN sent its commentary duo, Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson, to this game. Before the game, the two began to warm up the broadcast.
"The Thunder started the season with a 10-game winning streak. This record is indeed somewhat unexpected. Do you think they will continue their winning streak?"
Mark Jackson began his routine of throwing out topics.
"Perhaps they will win this game, but believe me, as the regular season progresses, the Thunder, with their weak interior strength, will experience huge fluctuations in their record."
Van Gundy, as a former old-school coach, naturally disliked the Thunder's current tactical approach.
"Buddy, I have a different opinion. The Thunder have exceptionally talented perimeter players. No team can successfully limit them. Look at Durant's recent performance, it's very efficient!"
Mark Jackson, as a former point guard, preferred perimeter players more, so he played devil's advocate to continue heating up the topic.
"OK, I agree with you about the talent. Kayce, Russell, Kevin, Green, Ibaka—their talent is all very good. However, basketball games require a reasonable lineup and tactical arrangements.
I don't mean to disrespect them, but when you look at the competitive teams in the West, the Thunder's interior is the weakest. So, I will stick to my opinion."
Van Gundy also cooperated with Mark Jackson to continue warming up the broadcast.
"I like your persistence. Alright, the game is about to begin. Let's look forward to both sides' wonderful performance!"
At the American Airlines Center, after the live DJ loudly introduced the players, both sides began their final warm-ups. Kayce looked towards the Miami Heat's side, and his expression suddenly became a bit strange.
Aside from Wade and Jermaine O'Neal, the heights of the other players seemed off.
In America, players usually exaggerate their reported height, especially some interior players.
With an afro, some even dared to report an extra 6 centimeters, and if they were bolder, they would round up directly to 10.
Dwyane Wade was still the favorite of the home fans. Everyone loved watching Wade play. Even a casual dunk during warm-ups would draw a burst of cheers.
The game was about to begin. Coach Brooks gave Kayce a final instruction, as his task today was quite heavy:
"Kayce, try to limit Wade's catches, and make sure to stick to him when he's off-ball!"
"I understand, Coach!" Kayce immediately nodded in acknowledgment.
"The game officially begins! Jermaine O'Neal jumped for the first possession for the Miami Heat. The Heat's lineup on the court is very interesting right now!"
Mark Jackson also began to immerse himself in the game commentary.
"Indeed, Erik has directly put out one big and four small. Jermaine O'Neal is playing center, Michael Beasley is playing power forward, and the perimeter consists of Mario Chalmers, Dwyane Wade, and Quentin Richardson."
"Compared to the Thunder, the Heat's players on the court are a bit shorter. Oh! Kayce just stole Mario Chalmers' pass!"
Van Gundy was about to continue speaking when Kayce had already successfully stolen the ball.
The Miami Heat's opening play was still the usual routine: off-ball screens to create offensive opportunities for Wade. Kayce naturally put a lot of effort into defending off-ball, and Wade couldn't shake off his defense.
Mario Chalmers was a bit careless at the start. Seeing Wade coming out to receive the ball, he threw a soft cross-court pass. The ball speed was too slow, and Kayce anticipated it, snatching the ball away.
After the successful steal, Kayce dribbled and accelerated, rushing towards the opponent's basket, jumping with both feet for a one-handed tomahawk dunk.
"Slam!" The steal and dunk were completed in one smooth motion.
"Oh!! Boo!!"
The audience at the American Airlines Center first gasped in surprise, then immediately let out a huge boo.
Kayce quickly returned to defense with an expressionless face. This wasn't his home court, so it was best to show off as little as possible.
Mario Chalmers knew he had made a mistake and quickly raised his hand to indicate it was his fault. On the baseline inbound, this time Wade dribbled past half-court himself and signaled Jermaine O'Neal to come up for a pick-and-roll.
Kayce immediately stepped up to defend, but at this moment, Wade, who had feigned going right for the screen, suddenly changed direction with a cross-over, then accelerated and drove with his left hand.
The change of direction was too quick, and his center of gravity was so low that he easily blew past Kayce. Kostić's defense was also half a beat slow, and Wade easily drove into the paint for a layup.
"Wow! It seems our Flash has taught the rookie a lesson. The Thunder's interior defense is a bit slow."
Mark Jackson immediately praised Wade's drive.
"This is the problem I mentioned earlier. The perimeter players Kayce, Russell, and Kevin are very good,
but Jeff Green is at a great disadvantage defending the power forward position, and Kostić's lateral movement is slow. That's why the Miami Heat scored in the paint right from the start."
Van Gundy continued to express his opinion.
Kayce raised his hand to signal that the mistake was his. His defensive positioning on the perimeter was off, causing the interior defense to be slow to react.
After quickly dribbling past half-court, he looked at Wade, who was defending him, and sighed in his heart:
"Superstars are indeed formidable. If Wade had badges, he would probably be covered in purple ones. This matchup today will definitely provide a lot of experience, and this game will certainly be worthwhile!"