One Year Left to Play-Chapter 362 - 111: True Double Kill Against the Bulls!
Zhang Hao didn’t dodge, letting his face be pressed by the opponent, raised his arms, and looked at the referee.
Players from both sides also gathered at this moment.
Conflict, it’s routine, the referee actively coordinated the dispute, both sides separated without additional fouls.
There are only 41 seconds left in the game, if Rodman is given two technical fouls now, it basically declares the end of the game.
Zhang Hao walked to the free-throw line, feeling a bit embarrassed... but it’s within the rules, as long as there’s no malicious foul, no intent to harm others, and ensuring not to touch the bottom line as a human being, sometimes such things, it’s okay to do them once.
He adjusted his mindset well, Zhang Hao took the first free throw... scored!
With Zhang Hao’s second free throw also scored, the Bulls called a timeout!
to 119, 41 seconds left, the Bulls are trailing the Lakers by two points.
Jordan’s focus has been solely on the game tonight, he’s no longer trash-talking.
It was somewhat a way of conserving energy, defending against Exel long-term rather than Zhang Hao who’s more suited for him to guard, also to conserve energy.
After all, at his age.
No matter what the reason, whether the opponent had assistance off the field, whether the other side brought in new recruits unfamiliar to them, or even their veterans’ decline in stamina back-to-back... it doesn’t matter, this is the game.
Jordan now is focusing on only one thing—Zhang Hao brings resilience to the Lakers!
In cases where the strength gap is too large and the performance gap between the two teams is too evident, it might not matter much.
But once the game gets intense, Zhang Hao’s remarkable resilience and leadership skills, beyond everyone’s expectations, are extremely dazzling!
Anyone with eyes can see that the Lakers are playing crucial moments under Zhang Hao’s leadership now.
Thinking about last time against Brooklyn Nets, thinking about the Pistons being defeated twice by Zhang Hao, thinking about the Pacers being defeated by Zhang Hao’s buzzer-beater...
Tonight, we must win!
However, at this moment, Jordan is very calm: "Can’t always lose to a rookie, right?"
The preseason head-to-head scoring duel, Jordan also considered it a loss, truly 1 on 5 lost.
...
After the timeout, both teams made adjustments.
The Bulls didn’t make any substitutions, originally planning for critical defense by Luke Longley but he wasn’t put into play, the Bulls were continuously attacking in the fourth quarter, except for the time Pippen was blocked, the offensive was well-played at other times, and it was due to the offense that the point gap was narrowed.
On the Lakers’ side, Campbell, George Lynch, and Sedale-Srte replaced Jason Williams, Sibaros, and Van Exel, Zhang Hao and Anthony Piller stay on.
Zhang Hao guards Pippen, George Lynch guards Jordan, Anthony Piller defends Kukoc’s shot, Sedale-Srte guards Steve Kerr.
In the visible stamina slump where Pippen was struggling to play, Zhang Hao remained on the field, Del Harris didn’t want Zhang Hao’s shooting hand to lose its touch due to resting.
The Lakers’ strongest defensive lineup!
However, no matter how strong the defense, in front of Jordan it’s like paper.
Jordan did not opt for a one-on-one outside the three-point line but made a strong drive to the basket!
Facing Campbell’s supplementary defense and Zhang Hao’s collapsing double-team, and George Lynch chasing defense, Jordan switched hands mid-air, his right hand got hit by Campbell but had already switched the ball to the left hand, with his body tilted hitting the throw bank shot...
Just as the ball bounced off the backboard into the basket, the referee’s whistle sounded!
Jordan’s score is valid and also a free throw!
If it didn’t go in, the referee most likely wouldn’t have blown the whistle, this game, the viewership is quite high.
But it scored, so they blew it, expanding the Bulls’ advantage!
Jordan made the free throw, the Lakers called a timeout.
Relying on Jordan’s 20 points in the fourth quarter alone, the overall score raised to 50 points, third time this season scoring 50+ in a single match, the Bulls achieved a fourth-quarter score of 33 to 23 with 15 seconds left, overtaking by one point at the last moment!
Zhang Hao walked back to the bench, unsure of how to describe his feelings.
He imagined how the Bulls would execute this attack, possibly Jordan going one-on-one, but it was too straightforward, directly breaking in to take on three defenders making a 2+1, simple and brutal.
They fought tooth and nail, using every tactic possible to achieve 23 points in the fourth quarter, of which he, Mr. Zhang alone contributed 13 points.
Whereas for the Bulls, Jordan alone got 20 points in the fourth quarter!
During the timeout, Del Harris arranged a strategic play for a crucial shot and made personnel adjustments.
Van Exel, Anthony Piller, Sibaros, Zhang Hao, Jason Williams lineup got re-substituted.
On the Bulls’ side, Luke Longley finally got substituted, Ron Harper, Jordan, Pippen, Rodman, the strongest defensive lineup re-entered the game!
After the timeout, the Lakers opted for a frontcourt ball.
The audience was already excited, shouting "defense" when Van Exel advanced.
Van Exel quickly advanced to beyond the three-point line, at this point, the Bulls players didn’t apply immediate pressing defense post inbound or intercept the inbound, it’s unnecessary, too risky for a potential quick pass-and-cut by the opponent. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶
However, Del Harris had drawn up a strategy, once Van Exel advanced beyond the three-point line, Zhang Hao and his teammates quickly repositioned, Jason Williams immediately went for a pick and roll for Van Exel, but the defense by the Bulls was too well-executed!
Even Pippen, having paused for several rounds, gritted his teeth, exerting every last bit of strength for defense.
Zhang Hao, facing Jordan’s rabid-style pressing defense, couldn’t shake him off even after maneuvering around!
