One Year Left to Play

The score difference, with the Lakers leading 85-83, has reversed the Blazers by two points... Suddenly, everyone understood!

During the official timeout, even the officials of the Blazers went to check the individual player scores. Zhang Hao had 43 points at the official timeout, nearly 20 points higher than Rashid Wallace’s 25 points, and they noticed the Blazers’ third highest scorer, Nash...

Thinking back to the start of the third quarter, Zhang Hao seemed to have said to Nash and Rashid Wallace, "You both come on"... That guy, he is serious!

He felt bullying Rashid Wallace alone wasn’t thrilling enough, and wanted to drag Nash along to bully, and he’s already started taking action!

Not just the ultra-sensitive Rashid Wallace, even Nash feels immensely humiliated!

In the next 4 possessions, Nash and Rashid Wallace each took two shots, but apart from Nash hitting a step-back three-pointer on his first shot, none of the following 3 shots went in!

On the Lakers’ side, seeing Nash soloing Fisher with an obvious intent to shoot, they immediately guessed that this rookie was provoked by Zhang Hao. Initially, the Lakers players were lamenting that Zhang Hao was even more arrogant than they imagined, but now they realized Zhang Hao was truly smart! With just one word, he made their composed point guard solo indiscriminately.

So in the next three possessions, the Lakers defended tightly.

Originally, the hardest place to defend Nash and Rashid Wallace was not only their good offensive skills, but also their good passing and vision.

Taking advantage of the Blazers missing shots in three consecutive possessions, they went for a 9-3 streak.

94-86, the Lakers went from behind by 10 points to leading by 8 points in the third quarter, and in 4 possessions, Zhang Hao didn’t score a single point. Taking advantage of his earlier "hey" to attract the opponent’s defensive attention, O’Neal capitalized, and James Robinson hit an open three, with both contributing 9 points together!

The fundamental task, is more important to Zhang Hao!

The fundamental task, after Mr. Zhang was already 21 points ahead of Rashid Wallace, winning is the core goal that needs to be guaranteed!

Seeing the score difference nearing 10 points, Nash finally woke up and began organizing the offense properly. In the last few possessions of the third quarter, the Blazers’ offense played quite well, scoring 9 points.

At the end of the three quarters, the Blazers scored 95 points.

Single quarter score of 27 points, apart from those few possessions affected by emotions, the Blazers’ offense played exceptionally well.

Being a team primarily composed of first and second-year players, maintaining offensive stability in the crucial third quarter after halftime was quite impressive.

However, at the end of the third quarter, the Lakers increased their score to 108 points. In the final 3 minutes of the third quarter, the Lakers went on a 14-9 streak!

After Zhang Hao’s 2+1 in the third quarter, he only scored 2 points but had 2 assists, with the other Lakers seizing the distraction brought by Zhang Hao.

The Lakers went on a spree, scoring 50 points in a single quarter and achieved a single quarter score of 50-27, going from trailing by 10 points to leading by 13 points!

In the third quarter, Zhang Hao’s single quarter performance was 23 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, his stats improving to 48 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists, 5 blocks, 3 steals!

...

The fans present were already ecstatic!

It can be expected that Zhang Hao will undoubtedly complete a 50+ triple-double in the fourth quarter!

Last year, unable to see Zhang Hao’s super triple-double at home was a regret for the Lakers fans, but tonight there is a chance!

Moreover, with Zhang Hao’s scoring performance tonight, in the final quarter, it’s not impossible for him to score over 12 points... Fans who bought tickets to watch the game feeling like they’ve hit the jackpot! This is not a popular game, no live broadcast, only they can witness Zhang Hao’s performance firsthand!

On the other hand, the Blazers players were already dazed by the beating.

Throughout the game it was still alright, but entering the break, seeing on the big screen a single quarter score of 50-27, seeing Zhang Hao’s stats in the second half "coasting", still achieving the single quarter of 23 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals — stats other stars might not accomplish in an entire game...

Last season, they saw the New York Knicks being thrashed by Zhang Hao, it was just news, although it felt frightening, ultimately it was someone else’s turmoil.

This time, they are the backdrop!

They feel like the poor protagonists in the story, having done nothing, yet being taunted and abused!

It’s unjustifiable!

How come they encountered such a little demon!

PJ Callesimo looked at Nash with 18 points, 12 assists, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal; Rashid Wallace with 29 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks... both worked so hard but are still 1 point short compared to Zhang Hao.

Looking again at the score difference, and especially the comparison of the second half scores, he wanted to give up this game.

If Zhang Hao were to soar in the fourth quarter like he did in the third, whether it’s scoring 60+ in a single game or achieving a super triple-double, it would be a huge blow to them!

The main issue is the two talents targeted by that demon... Even disregarding if Nash and Rashid Wallace can combine for 20 points again in a single quarter, even if they win the bet, scoring more than Zhang Hao, what good does it do?

This kind of "victory" would only hit them harder, because the situation has already been turned around due to Zhang Hao’s individual effort!

However, such a game might also become an opportunity for both of them to strive harder... PJ Callesimo decided to continue fighting!

Although he felt turning the game around was hopeless, he remained very motivated in mobilizing the players.

Every coach has different features in coaching and different ideas in nurturing young players, PJ Callesimo prefers this rough approach.

And, a 13-point difference, considering this game, isn’t too large, besides, that rookie took it really hard in the third quarter, especially in the latter half, although not scoring much but exerting effort in drawing double coverages and distributing the ball tirelessly, he played the entire three quarters! Physical strain would definitely be an issue...

Strategizing by encouraging.. no, motivating the players, talking more and more, PJ Callesimo himself even felt more confident!