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Chapter 242 - 127. One step away from the playoffs!_2

Chapter 242: 127. One step away from the playoffs!_2

Garnett had no solutions, but he wasn’t anxious either, having already played worse games this season.

As the Timberwolves’ offensive rebounds and defensive hustle began to decline, Zhang Yang’s opportunity came back!

In the final quarter he scored 6 points with 2 rebounds and 1 assist!

At 9:23 PM, the final buzzer sounded and the Charlotte Bobcats defeated the Timberwolves with a score of 85 to 76, improving their record to 40 wins and 36 losses.

Zhang Yang played 30 minutes tonight, made 7 out of 20 field goal attempts, including 0 out of 2 three-pointers, and 4 out of 6 free throws, scoring 18 points with 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block.

Gerald Wallace scored 17 points with 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 4 blocks; Okafor contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds; Felton added 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 6 assists...

Matt Carroll made significant contributions in the first three quarters, hitting 5 of 9 shots, including 4 out of 7 from the three-point line, and without his long-range threat, the Bobcats’ offensive space would have been even more constrained earlier on.

Garnett had a tough night, targeted heavily, making only 5 out of 15 field goals and 3 out of 5 free throws for a total of 13 points, but he also gathered 21 rebounds, distributed 6 assists, and contributed 2 steals and 2 blocks.

It was unclear whether or not Gerald Wallace and Okafor’s goal to target Garnett was achieved, as they did not feel particularly effective.

Garnett’s individual strength was formidable, and he continually sought ways to break free from difficulties: if he couldn’t score, he would defend, rebound, organize the offense... until he was completely out of options.

His character aside, Garnett’s talent and his never-give-up attitude are admirable.

...

For the first time in their history, the Bobcats achieved 40 wins! In just their second year, they continued to break records set by teams newly entered into the NBA in the last 20 years, sparking a series of discussions.

This time the media and fans dragged the King and Adelman through the mud, speculating what might have been if they had given Gerald Wallace a chance to develop his talent and paired him with the newly traded Artest...

The following day, on the 9th, the Bobcats headed to the Air Canada Centre in Toronto to challenge the Toronto Raptors on the road.

The Raptors, with a current record of 24 wins and 52 losses, were second to last in the East, aiming for first but always failing to surpass the Knicks Team.

Tonight, only two Raptors players scored in double figures, with Mike James making 10 out of 25 shots, including 5 out of 12 from the three-point line, plus 7 out of 10 free throws, scoring a high of 32 points; Bosh scored 14 points with 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block on 6 out of 13 shooting.

The Bobcats opted to shut down the other players, putting Felton on Mike James and Karim Rush on man-to-man defense, sticking to him if possible, distancing if not.

Although Mike James scored 32 points, the Bobcats held the Raptors to just 88 points as a team.

Felton notched 19 points, 10 assists, Okafor 17 points, 11 rebounds, 6 blocks, Gerald Wallace 11 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, Jumaine Jones 11 points, Matt Carroll 14 points, and Zhang Yang 21 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals...

With a score of 104 to 88, the Bobcats easily defeated the Raptors, advancing their record to 41 wins and 36 losses, securing a winning percentage above five hundred ahead of time!

Zhang Yang finally achieved his first night of 20+ points in the new month, and it wasn’t easy!

The next day, on April 10th, the Bobcats returned to Charlotte to play a back-to-back home-and-away game against the 47-win and 30-loss Grizzlies.

Zhang Yang and Felton both played well tonight, with Zhang Yang making 10 out of 17 shots, including 1 out of 2 three-pointers, and 5 out of 5 free throws, efficiently scoring 26 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, and dishing out 2 assists and 1 steal.

Felton made 6 out of 14 shots, including 3 out of 6 threes, and 2 out of 4 free throws, totaling 17 points and 7 assists, which was better than his season average.

However, the teammates’ performances tonight were not great, and the second game of a back-to-back showed its effects on their physical stamina. Additionally, the Grizzlies were much better prepared than during their last encounter, collapsing effectively under the rim and tightly defending the wings.

Okafor made 5 out of 11 shots for 14 points and 9 rebounds, Gerald Wallace only made 2 out of 9 field goals, and had to rely on 7 out of 10 free throws to get 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists.

But these didn’t matter much; with two core players performing well and one performing adequately, it was already not bad.

What was fatal was the perimeter shooters’ combined three-point performance was worse than that of Zhang Yang and Felton; the two of them together made 3 out of 6 from beyond the arc, while their teammates combined for 2 out of 12. Despite many opportunities, they just couldn’t make the threes, and as they continued to miss, the Grizzlies’ defense became more emboldened.

Besides the four of them, the highest scorer for the Bobcats was Brezec, who scored 6 points, with the role players together adding only 19 points.

On the opposing side, Gasol had 16 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, Battier 14 points, Atkins 12 points, 6 assists, Eddie Jones 17 points, Mike Miller 14 points, and Bobby Jackson 10 points, with six players scoring in double figures!

The scoreboard read 87 to 96, and the Bobcats suffered a home defeat, bringing their record to 41 wins and 37 losses.

The aspirations of rushing to the season’s end on a winning streak shattered, and the Bobcats players felt a deep regret, but by the next day, they had collected themselves and flew to the away game with high spirits.

Their next opponent? The Knight!

At 5:40 PM on April 12th, amidst a sea of boos, the Bobcats players stepped confidently and energetically onto the court at the Quicken Loans Arena.

At the home team’s tunnel entrance, James saw the ’arrogant’ demeanor of the opposing players and was furiously powerless.

Actually, the Bobcats were just full of vigor and excitement, especially as the evening’s game was nationally televised, which made them a bit more hyped up.

But in James’ eyes, these guys were up to no good and intended to target him.

Well, he wasn’t wrong about that...

The Knight currently held a record of 47 wins and 31 losses, with the fifth-placed Wizards at 44 wins and 35 losses. Even with three remaining games, if they won all, it would only account for 47 wins. Since the Knight had won all four encounters this season, they had already locked a top-four spot in the East ahead of time.