novelraw Chapter 384 - 115: Finally Took the Bait!
Chapter 384 - 115: Finally Took the Bait!
David Robinson nearly lost his balance in the air, and after landing steadily, he wanted to jump up for the rebound again but was blocked by Campbell. Zhang Hao grabbed the defensive rebound and immediately passed it to the Magician for a counterattack!
The Spurs retreated quickly. By the time Zhang Hao dashed to the opposing three-point line, the opponents’ three-man perimeter group had already retreated, with two people under the basket.
At this moment, the Magician first passed the ball to Van Exel. Van Exel received the ball and attracted Elliott, who remained on the perimeter, and immediately passed to Zhang Hao, who had slowed down his pace. Zhang Hao, at a 45-degree angle on the left side a bit to the right, caught the ball to shoot... suddenly pulled the ball back... and then went up again...
Got hit!
The referee’s whistle sounded!
Discovering David Robinson rushing up, Zhang Hao was already prepared, using core strength to maintain balance when hit during the jump, and tried his best to push the ball out from his chest... This angle made it so that even after fouling, David Robinson couldn’t swat the ball away. The ball was successfully pushed out by Zhang Hao!
As the ball flew out and fell into the basket, Zhang Hao was knocked off balance and fell to the floor... This was a shot made after the shooting motion was fouled, the referee indicated that the shot counted, and there’s a free throw!
Zhang Hao just tried his best to push the ball toward the basket and didn’t expect it to go in!
He fell quite hard, but excitement and thrill suppressed the pain. Zhang Hao quickly got up and moved around a bit, no problem, just a tough fall, passing by the regretful-looking David Robinson without saying anything or showing any expression.
At this moment, Zhang Hao didn’t notice that when he quickly stood up and twisted his shoulders and waist to bypass David Robinson, Van Exel tried to come over and give a high-five but couldn’t find anyone...
Completely blocked, yet Van Exel’s hand was already raised.
I’m ugly, but I’m gentle—Elliott.
Elliott came over to comfort when David Robinson was fouled for a 3+1, patted Robinson’s back, saw Van Exel with his hand out but missing a teammate, thought for a second, and reached out to high-five Van Exel...
The on-site fans were all cheering for Zhang Hao’s last shot. Fans started cheering from the moment Zhang Hao counterattacked, screamed when Zhang Hao was hit, and got even more hyped after the shot went in!
No one noticed how complicated Van Exel’s feelings were at this moment...
Zhang Hao walked coldly to the free-throw line, received the ball from the referee, and calmly made the free throw!
to 4! The Lakers lead by 4 points!
With these two shots, Zhang Hao once again showed his talent—physical fitness and brains!
This time, a highly successful defensive counterattack three-pointer. In terms of technique, Zhang Hao’s excellent shooting allowed him to still aim at the basket even when his body was tilting and about to fall.
But more so, it reflects physical fitness and basketball IQ!
The technical level is not high, but the on-site fans were all very excited—what’s up? Our rookie is just talented!
As for the once highly anticipated Eddie Jones and Divac... Can’t fans be forgetful?
It’s the Spurs’ turn to attack again, and this time, they’ve changed their approach.
David Robinson, on Avery Johnson’s signal, came up to high post to receive the ball, then passed it back to the cutting Avery Johnson.
Avery Johnson used excellent pacing around the pick to force the Magician to switch defense. The current Magician can’t keep up with the pace of a point guard. Avery Johnson drove straight to the basket, a floater shot and scored!
Everyone thought Avery Johnson would pass to Peldo, but he shot it himself!
Can’t defend!
In rounds where morale and positivity don’t dip, the Lakers don’t care if the Spurs score, they just try to defend.
But this round wasn’t defended, and the players suddenly remembered their defensive weaknesses.
The Lakers started well, but looking closely, the Lakers scored 8 points in the first 4 rounds, 6 of which were scored by Zhang Hao.
And in these opening rounds, if Zhang Hao hadn’t had a moment of brilliant defense during the Spurs’ third attack, the Spurs would have gotten great opportunities with each offensive play!
The unease and worry suppressed earlier by morale and positivity all surged at this moment.
Another round passed, and the Lakers didn’t score, while the Spurs scored another two points, starting 5-4 from 8 points and tying the score!
During the Lakers’ attack, the Magician tried to organize the offense with the ball himself, but was facing David Robinson’s defense, and now he can’t even create passing opportunities by pulling out beyond the three-point line.
The decline in personal offensive ability is why the Magician’s passing rating is only 90 amid his unchanged vision, passing awareness, and passing precision.
He is no longer good at attacks centered around him...
After the morale-boosting phase, the Lakers fell into a passive position!
Watching the score go to 10 to 14, with their team only scoring two points for several rounds, Zhang Hao also noticed this issue—without a point scorer like Sibaros who could break through strong, the Lakers’ gameplay relies heavily on morale! Highly depends on positivity and momentum!
Any team missing a scorer averaging 20 points per game would be affected, the Lakers are no different.
Finally, after the Spurs started 7-for-6 from the field and 2-for-2 from the free-throw range, Elliott missed a long two, and the Lakers weren’t quickly widened in points by the opponent.
Morale, this thing, always rises and falls, their Lakers morale dropped, while the Spurs’ morale grew increasingly high.