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Chapter 253 - 131. Fifth in the East! (Additional Chapter for monthly votes)

Chapter 253: 131. Fifth in the East! (Additional Chapter for monthly votes)

The Bobcats steadied the situation and decided to counterattack in the second quarter, hoping to capitalize on their momentum and gain an advantage.

But plans can never keep up with changes, and the game is always unpredictable.

As soon as the second quarter began, Peja scored a three-pointer, stretching the lead to six points. In the following three minutes, the Bobcats scored only three points, with Gerald Wallace cutting to the basket for a 2+1 play, while the Pacers scored merely two points.

Just when the Bobcats were getting ready to continue their tough defense and play a tug-of-war, Peja ran to the right sideline, received a pass, and turned around to make a three-pointer in Zhang Yang’s face who was switching on defense.

The score reached 29 to 21, with the Pacers’ lead expanding to eight points!

The Bobcats’ offense, dragged down by the Pacers’ team defense, and Peja occasionally scoring, might just wear them out, Zhang Yang thought it was time to take his chances and shoot.

But at this moment, Bickerstaff called for a timeout, replacing Zhang Yang with Keith Bogans.

Zhang Yang was surprised; how many shots had he missed? No, that’s not right! He was just starting to think about how he would miss... but still obediently returned to the bench to sit down.

Also subbed out with him were Okafor and Brezec, with Melvin Ely and Perkins coming in.

With the loss of interior passers and high-post facilitators, the Bobcats’ offensive play had turned into Felton and Gerald Wallace taking turns shooting.

In the next three minutes, the Bobcats scored four points.

On the Pacers’ side, Peja made a mid-range shot, and after drawing a double team off a screen, he dished an assist to a rolling young O’Neal. Combined with Stephen Jackson’s long two-point jumper from the wing, they scored six points.

Halfway through the quarter with a score of 14 to 7, the Pacers extended their lead to ten points, 35 to 25!

After an official timeout, Bickerstaff brought Okafor back in, but still didn’t substitute Zhang Yang, opting for a backcourt of Karim Rush and Alan Anderson, with the frontcourt composed of Gerald Wallace, Okafor, and Perkins.

By the end of the half, the score reached 45 to 33, with the Pacers leading by 12 points!

During the halftime break, Bickerstaff emphasized the Pacers’ defensive weaknesses and exchanged views with Zhang Yang on Pacers’ defense, but when announcing the starters for the third quarter, Zhang Yang’s name was not called.

Zhang Yang could sit patiently at courtside in the second quarter, but this time he couldn’t stay put. As he returned to the court, he stood by the sideline, biting his jersey, and crossed his arms, with the camera giving him a close-up.

When the third quarter began, Bickerstaff walked to the sideline and said to Zhang Yang, who couldn’t hide his impatience, "Jack, in the playoffs, you need patience and to wait for the right moment."

The right moment?

Zhang Yang looked toward the court, where his teammates continued to grind it out against the Pacers, fighting a hard knock defensive battle. The Pacers’ scoring didn’t seem any easier than theirs... and how had the ball gotten to Peja again?

Although Zhang Yang grew anxious during the second quarter, he was still paying basic attention to the situation on the court.

In fact, the Pacers’ team offense wasn’t able to break through either.

Young O’Neal was strong, but his presence wasn’t very intimidating, and he struggled to break open the game under pressure and wasn’t too keen on taking on that role, preferring to play tactically.

Stephen Jackson had a one-dimensional scoring method, bold at shooting but weak at creating his own opportunities.

It was Peja’s ten points in the second quarter that stretched the Pacers’ lead to 12 points.

When Bickerstaff asked Zhang Yang during halftime how to deal with this, his response was to sacrifice a bit of defense to cut off Peja’s receptions and go head-to-head with the other Pacers’ players.

This adjustment received support from Jordan, who was present at the time.

Bickerstaff also said it was a good idea, in line with what he knew about Zhang Yang.

Yet just two plays into the second half, they left Peja wide open!

Just as Zhang Yang was filled with question marks, Peja’s three-point shot clanged off the rim...

Zhang Yang: Huh?

The Bobcats didn’t break out with a fast break, falling into a half-court offense where Felton tried a floater off a screen... which was swatted out of bounds by young O’Neal, with the ball grazing Perkins’ arm, turning over the possession to the Pacers.

Zhang Yang clapped his hands; it was such a pity.

It was the Pacers’ turn to attack, and this time Zhang Yang focused his attention on the defense. Gerald Wallace started to challenge Peja as he approached the three-point line, and when Anthony Johnson penetrated the paint, Gerald Wallace directly retreated, pressing against the receiving young O’Neal just as he got the ball!

O’Neal passed to the sideline, Peja caught it and shot another three-point attempt... and missed again!

Okafor secured the defensive rebound and passed to Felton, who led the counterattack!

Felton passed to Gerald Wallace on the break, who then passed to the trailing Okafor... Okafor got blocked, but he didn’t rush, patiently holding the ball high to avoid being stolen by Peja and Stephen Jackson who were closing in.

Bickerstaff called for a timeout and patted Zhang Yang on the shoulder, "Jack, get out there and put the ball in the basket!"

...

Zhang Yang stepped onto the court and took a deep breath.

He had quickly switched his mindset, and after watching a couple of plays, he understood Bickerstaff’s intention – to use defense to drag the game and exhaust Peja through physical play.

He hadn’t been brought on for nearly a quarter to conserve his energy.

The intention wasn’t hard to discern, it was just that his line of thinking wasn’t aligned with it at first.