First in scoring

Chapter 451: Battle with the Old Blacksmith (Part 450)

Now it was the Zen Master's turn to call a timeout. There were more than 3 seconds left. He didn't want to play overtime with the Bobcats, who were mainly composed of young players.

Kobe pouted and shook his head as he walked towards the bench.

He is a person who likes to study details. Paying attention to details before, after and during the game has become his instinct.

Before Zhang Yang's final attack, Kobe felt a subtle sense of disharmony because of the details of his opponent's body movements.

It was not until Zhang Yang moved sideways and Kobe rushed forward immediately but was a beat slower than the opponent that he realized the subtle disharmony - it was not like what a player who played for 44 minutes should be like.

He was not particularly shocked by this. In the world of sports, there is no strongest, only stronger. There are always those special people.

The old blacksmith's speculation - when it comes to the critical moment, Zhang San's adrenaline bursts and he seems to feel no tiredness.

Look, Kobe glanced at the opposite side and saw Zhang Yang starting to breathe heavily again after he made the key shot.

It was certainly uncomfortable to be hit by a three-pointer at face value and the score was tied, but it also made him think more highly of Zhang Yang.

Being able to make a crucial shot is a skill; being able to take the initiative to take the responsibility for a crucial shot is courage; and being extremely excited when it comes to taking a crucial shot...

After the timeout, Carlisle replaced the players with Afflalo, Zhang Yang, Hill, Okafor and Perkins.

The Zen Master sent out a combination of Kidd, Fisher, Kobe, Garnett and Gasol Jr.

The Lakers served the ball in the frontcourt, and Gasol Jr. made a beautiful predictive lob to Kobe who was using Kidd's screen, but Kobe was trapped by Afflalo and Zhang Yang as soon as he received the ball on the left side of the free throw line.

Kobe turned around and shot against the double team... He missed. Perkins swatted the ball away before Garnett could. The red light came on and a long whistle sounded.

At the end of regular time, the two teams were tied at 92-92 and entered overtime!
The statistics of the highest-scoring players on both sides were posted on the big screen, and the fans at the scene and in front of the TV were all amazed.

科比打了39分钟，30投16中，其中三分球8中3，加上10中8的罚球，拿到43分5板3助攻2抢断。

张杨打了44分钟，33投15中，其中三分球11中4，加上10中8的罚球，拿到42分7板3助攻1抢断1盖帽。

There are actually people who can throw better than the old blacksmith!

The hit rate is not enough, so crazy shots are used to make up for it. In the past, it was always the opponents who were tortured by the blacksmith brother like this. I never thought that one day I would see the blacksmith brother being tortured by others!

Sometimes people's likes and dislikes are so unreasonable. When Kobe's fans saw this set of data and thought of Zhang Yang's crazy shooting tonight, even though he just made a three-pointer to tie the game and dragged the game into overtime, they found it difficult to feel any aversion to Zhang Yang. Instead, they felt more like him...

...

Back on the bench, Zhang Yang felt as if he was reaching his limit.

After a longer break, he relaxed and felt much more tired than during the 20-second timeout. However, he did not gasp for breath and rush to replenish oxygen like he did during the timeout. Instead, he looked fine and listened to Carlisle's arrangements before overtime.

He is the psychological pillar of his teammates. Before, the 20-second timeout was so tight that no one would notice him, but now there are several minutes and he has to be well behaved.

It is really a deadly thing to compete with Kobe. On the defensive end, Zhang San has given up on defending the opponent's point guard alone, but facing Kobe's one-on-one defense + Garnett or Kidd's assist defense, he almost collapsed.

Fortunately, the situation on Kobe's side didn't look particularly good. On the last shot, he quickly moved after receiving the ball with the help of a screen, but when he was facing double-teaming, he didn't even jump high enough... Of course, if it was a one-on-one, there would be no need to force speed up the movements, so it wouldn't be like this, but it is still different from previous years.

After all, the old blacksmith is already 30 years old. Facing the rotation defense of Hill, Pietrus and Afflalo, as well as the double-teaming of Zhang San, Millsap, Okafor and Ibaka, the old blacksmith still uses the style of play of both offense and defense as in previous years... This overly strong character can be exploited.

In addition to this, Zhang Yang felt that even if he used the same fighting style next time, he would consume less physical energy.

This was the first time we faced the Lakers this season. All the preparations we made were in vain, except for the effective execution of the defensive tactics. The Zen Master on the opposing team was too experienced and we couldn't play any tricks on them.

He was often forced to take shots because the team's opportunities were really bad. He couldn't put the pressure of high-difficulty offense on his teammates... unless the great Jack was on the court.

Jack didn't play very well tonight, but whether he was facing Kidd's defense or Kobe's switch defense, he dared to throw the ball, which is very important for maintaining the offensive rhythm.

With an understanding of the Lakers' strongest defensive form after this matchup, we will be better prepared for the next match. Of course, the Lakers will probably be more fully prepared as well, but at least with three players, he can have a better plan for allocating his physical strength.

A few minutes passed quickly and overtime began.

The Zen Master sent out a combination of Kidd, Kobe, Luke Walton, Garnett and Gasol Jr.

This lineup focuses on good space, with Kobe leading the offense, Kidd assisting, and Luke Walton coordinating.

Carlisle sent out a combination of Felton, Zhang Yang, Afflalo, Okafor and Brad Miller. He chose Afflalo over Hill, Pietrus and Afflalo, mainly because of physical strength issues. Afflalo played the least time in regular time.

Garnett defeated Okafor to win the jump ball. Kidd advanced to the frontcourt and passed the ball to the low post. Kobe received the ball with the help of Garnett's screen and faced Brad Miller's defense and turned around to make a hook shot.

In the past two years, Kobe was willing to play without the ball most of the time because of Kidd. When he ran out of opportunities, the ball would always come into his hands. Moreover, Kidd's passing was different from Luke Walton and even Garnett. Those two sometimes couldn't see what he thought were opportunities, but Kidd could.

When the Bobcats attacked, Zhang Yang slipped out from the baseline, took advantage of the screen and received the ball on the left side of the three-second zone for a jump shot... but was blocked by Garnett who came to defend.

Looking back, Kobe received the ball in the high position, turned around and shot directly, and it went in again! Kobe scored 4 points in a row, and his personal score increased to 47 points. The Lakers led 96-92!

It was the Bobcats' turn to attack again. Felton advanced to the frontcourt and waved at Zhang Yang. Zhang Yang did not hesitate and moved to the left corner with his hands on his hips.

Kobe was led away by Zhang Yang. Even though Zhang Yang stood with his hands on his hips in the corner, he didn't dare to let go.

Felton and Okafor played pick-and-roll, bringing both Garnett and Kidd to the outside, disrupting the Lakers' defensive formation.

Felton used the screen to break through Garnett who was switching defense, but he couldn't get past him. Garnett did a good job defending the smaller player, and Felton broke through to the close-range shooting threat point and passed the ball back to the high position.

Okafor cut into the middle and was blocked by Kidd and Gasol Jr., but Brad Miller passed the ball to... Afflalo!
Afflalo received the ball and jumped, then dunked with both hands behind Gasol Jr. to score two points!

The Bobcats' defensive mobilization ability that made the Zen Master uncomfortable was once again demonstrated, and this ability has been integrated into the teamwork of the Bobcats players and has become an instinct. If Garnett was three or four years younger, his mobility returned to its peak and his movement speed was closer to Kirilenko's...it would be difficult for the Lakers to trade for Bynum, and maybe even if Bynum and Odom were sent away together, there would be no Kidd.

When the Lakers attacked, Garnett assisted from a high position. After receiving the ball, he did not pass it but shot it himself... and it went in!

98 to 94, the Lakers once again took a 4-point lead.

It was the Bobcats' turn to attack. Felton continued to play pick-and-roll with Okafor. Garnett noticed the movement of Brad Miller and Afflalo, and hesitated in pressing forward to defend the pick-and-roll. Felton attacked decisively, took advantage of the screen to enter the three-point line half a step, suddenly braked, stepped back and shot a three-pointer...which also went in!
97 to 98, the difference narrowed to 1 point!
After the two teams scored 5 to 6 at the beginning of overtime, the baskets on both sides seemed to have lids on them in the following time.

Kobe Bryant missed the shot, Okafor missed the shot, Garnett missed the shot, Felton missed the shot, Kidd missed the shot... the sound of shots missing the shot resounded throughout the Staples Center.

Overtime is like this, the scoring time is very concentrated, and scoring stops at any time. Forget about continuity. It is very common to get three or five points in five minutes. Occasionally, there will be no score at all in five minutes.

But a strong team is a strong team. Even if both teams have been missing shots, the offensive organizers on both sides are still working hard to create better scoring opportunities for their teammates.

After missing shots for nearly 3 minutes, the scoring drought was finally broken. Ariza, who came on as a substitute, cut in and received the ball from Kobe who was trapped, and made a layup!

100 to 97, the Lakers lead by 3 points!
In the transition from offense to defense, Felton continued to play pick-and-roll, broke through to close range, stepped back, and shot backwards under the interference of Garnett's defense...

Felton couldn't see where the basket was for this ball, and fadeaways were not his forte, so he could only try his best to shoot the ball.

Sometimes shooting is just a matter of feeling. The ball flew over Garnett, fell into the frame, and hit the basket!

99 to 100, the score difference returned to 1 points again!
It was the Lakers' turn to attack.

The current lineups of the two teams are that the Lakers have replaced the starting combination of Kidd, Kobe, Ariza, Garnett, and Kwame Brown.

The Bobcats did not make any substitutions, still with Felton, Zhang Yang, Afflalo, Okafor, and Brad Miller.

The rotation ideas of the two head coaches are quite different. The Zen Master is traditional in this regard. If the game is tense, then his previous rotation arrangements are all for the purpose of sending out the strongest lineup at the last moment. Carlisle is more unrestrained. Apart from Zhang Yang, whoever plays better will play more. What about the future core Millsap? He was tossed around badly by Garnett and did not play well tonight, so let veteran Brad Miller play more. If Felton and Okafor do not perform well, he will keep them on the bench.

Kobe received the ball in the low post and played against Afflalo, then turned around and faced the basket, and threw it up... and it went in! 102 to 99!

In the offense and defense transition, Felton received the serve and advanced to the frontcourt, Okafor pulled out for a screen, and the two saw Zhang Yang standing in the right corner this time, and they made adjustments tacitly. When Felton broke through with the help of the screen, Okafor went down the middle against Kidd's defense.

Felton rushed to the right side of the three-second zone and passed the ball to Okafor. Garnett double-teamed Okafor, and Okafor passed the ball to Brad Miller who moved to the left side of the free throw line. Brad Miller responded with a pass...

After Felton passed the ball, he turned and ran to the right sideline, a little lower than the 45-degree angle. When he got there, the ball arrived and he turned around just in time to catch the ball.

This time, Kobe was impatient and let Zhang Yang, who had thrown the ball twice in overtime and missed, see Felton running back after passing the ball. He couldn't help but pass the ball to Felton. As soon as Felton received the ball, he was stuck by Kobe. However, this is what he wanted!

Felton used his weight to withstand Kobe's pressure and pushed the ball to the right.

Zhang Yang received the ball in the corner. Garnett was really active in defense. After Okafor passed the ball, he followed Kobe's movement and made a move to the corner. But he was, after all, a power forward who claimed to be 211 cm tall and was already 32 and a half years old. He rushed with all his strength, but was still a little short of the distance. He could only shout and scream.

This did not scare Zhang Yang at all. Zhang Yang took the ball and shot a three-pointer...

In the first few minutes, he basically stood in the bottom corner on the offensive end, and he needed to try his best to defend on the defensive end at the beginning, but after both sides started to miss shots, he forced himself to put away his enthusiasm for help defense, and rested on the court for a few minutes, and finally recovered!
This time, he took a three-pointer with a good rhythm in receiving the ball, enough time to adjust in the big open space, and shot decisively...and it went in!
102 to 102, the score is tied again!
With 9 seconds left, Carlisle stood up and prepared to arrange defense, but the Lakers did not call a timeout!
Kidd quickly picked up the ball and passed it to Garnett. Garnett reacted instantly and immediately passed it back to Kidd who was in bounds. Kobe and Ariza also reacted quickly and rushed down the wings!

Usually, it is Zhang San who makes unconventional moves at critical moments to torment his opponents. This time, the Bobcats players were also tormented. Ji did not attack but tormented them. This is truly the king of counterattack!

The Bobcats reacted quickly and retreated to block the opponent, but they were obviously not prepared. Their defensive formation was messy and they were all blocked on both wings.

At the critical moment, Kidd chose to counterattack and actually made a transition from offense to defense!
Kwame Brown quickly ran down the middle and received the ball at the free throw line!

After blocking Kobe, Zhang Yang tried his best to move to the middle, but the distance was too far and he couldn't get into position at all. He could only yell at Kwame Brown who took three steps after receiving the ball: "Fake No. 1 pick, you blocked my shot!"

Kobe looked at Zhang Yang like he was a fool - he was at least three meters away, and you were about to take off, but I blocked your shot...

Then, he heard a "bang" and turned his head in confusion to look at the ball flying over Kwame Brown's head. It was not until Zhang Yang rushed up and took the ball from behind Kwame Brown that he reacted and rushed up to block... After Zhang Yang got the ball, he quickly called a timeout!

The home director couldn't stand watching this ball anymore and arranged a replay - Kwame Brown's hands were shaking when he dunked the ball, and his hands hit the basket frame, causing the ball to fly out and hit the inside of the basket and bounce off!

Kobe was really nervous when he saw the replay. He took three big steps and jumped up. He was so scared that he dropped his hand because of a yell. You are such a good fake No. 1 pick!

(End of this chapter)