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Chapter 296 - 146.Beat LA (8000 words)_3

Chapter 296: 146.Beat LA (8000 words)_3

By the end of the third quarter, the Lakers had taken a 1-point lead over the Celtics!

In these two quarters, the Celtics’ initial use of "isolation plays" had exposed some deficiencies, as their coordination wasn’t quite up to scratch.

The Lakers increased the number of double-teams in these two quarters and collapsed on drives more often, but the rest of the team’s supportive coordination still needed improvement.

Although Auerbach had taken into account the physical toll on Zhang Yang, Bird, and McHale, there were still oversights.

In the final quarter, the Celtics rallied, and the Lakers, their spirits lifted by overcoming the score deficit, fiercely contended with their opponents.

In the final quarter, the Celtics’ offense sprang back into action, scoring 35 points, but unfortunately, the Lakers were even more ruthless, scoring 38 points!

At 10:24 in the evening, the final whistle blew.

Bird made 14 of 26 shots, including 3 of 6 three-pointers, and went 12 of 13 at the free-throw line, scoring 43 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Zhang Yang made 14 of 28 shots, including 1 of 2 three-pointers, and went 6 of 7 at the free-throw line, scoring 35 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists.

Alongside McHale’s contribution of 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 assists, the Celtics’ big three exploded for a total of 101 points, but ultimately, the Celtics were defeated by the Lakers.

Magic scored 23 points with 20 assists, Scott had 22 points, James Worthy contributed 21 points, Jabbar added 24 points, and Cooper tallied 21 points... Five players from the Lakers scored over 20 points each!

to 135, the Lakers narrowly defeated the Celtics by 4 points!

...

Two days later, on the evening of June 10th at 7 PM, at the Boston Garden, the Celtics and Lakers switched venues for another battle.

Tonight’s game set a new NBA record for television ratings!

The high anticipation for the Lakers-Celtics rivalry was already explosive and had now reached a boiling point!

Because of the apparent disparity in strength shown in the two teams’ first game(G1), the TV ratings for G2 had dropped significantly. At this time, without the internet, even though some people turned to watch the television after hearing on the radio that the Celtics and Lakers were closely matched, this did not significantly boost the G2 ratings.

After the G2 reports came out, many fans regretted missing the game where the big three combined for 101 points and contended against the showtime performance—they had missed it!

By G3, the fans didn’t want to miss out again, especially the originally despondent Celtics fans who had their hopes reignited.

They had only lost by 4 points in G2; a win was not out of the question!

Tonight, the Celtics didn’t disappoint their fans, starting strong and once again pressing down on the Lakers!

Originally, Auerbach was just an old hand involving himself in the playoffs as a coach to help with fine-tuning and after G2, he truly got involved in the tactical adjustments, continuing to help optimize the "isolation plays" and enhancing the role players’ support in coordination, without changing the "big three."

Zhang Yang and Bird, having the experience from the first game, gained a better understanding of their opponents’ man-to-man defense and devised better ways to handle the opponent’s double teams and defensive rotations.

The Celtics led by 7 points at 39 to 32 by the end of the first quarter, and in the second and third quarters, they withstood the Lakers’ counterattack!

The score was 34 to 36 in the second quarter and 32 to 33 in the third quarter, finishing the third with 105 points, maintaining a 4-point lead.

By the last quarter, the Lakers had a run of 29 to 26 in the first 9 minutes, closing the gap to 1 point, chasing the score to 130-131.

But when it came to crunch time and isolated plays, the Lakers just couldn’t cut it.

Matching up against Bird for the clutch shots? Not even the young gods would suffice!

And the Celtics had Zhang Yang too!

Pick either one to take the crucial shots, and both would dominate the Lakers’ players—James Worthy included, who was still outmatched when compared to them.

In the last 3 minutes, Zhang Yang scored 4 points, Bird 3 points, Walton came on to score an easy 2 points, and the Celtics went on a 9 to 5 run against the Lakers, securing the victory!

Bird’s scoring dipped this evening, making 10 of 17 shots, including a perfect 2 of 2 from three-point range, plus 8 of 8 from the free-throw line, scoring only 30 points, but tallying 12 assists.

Bird decisively distributed the ball when faced with double-teams, delivering numerous exquisite passes to his supporting teammates. Auerbach’s adjustments were spot on, and Bird utilized them very well.

McHale’s scoring also dropped, notching only 16 points, but he contributed 12 rebounds and 5 assists.

However, these two weren’t the biggest headaches for the Lakers—who could sort of contain them through double teams.

The Celtics’ support players might shoot well, but their shooting percentages would still be below 50%. Letting these two shoot, their percentages would be definitely above 50%.

But there was one man who really didn’t pass—Zhang Yang!

Making 16 of 30 shots and 10 of 12 free throws, Zhang Yang exploded for 42 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists, with those two assists resulting from fast-break opportunities!

During one play, even when the Lakers had four players blocking him, it went like this—

But Zhang Yang still shot! Though he didn’t make the basket, he managed to draw the foul!

The Lakers didn’t play poorly on the offensive end this game, with Magic scoring 21 points along with 14 assists, Jabbar netting 27 points, James Worthy 32 points, Scott 15 points, and Michael Thompson 10 points—with still five players scoring in double figures, just a slight bit short compared to the last game, as they couldn’t possibly blaze past 140 points every game...

to 135, the Celtics narrowly defeated the Lakers by 5 points, refusing to go down 0-3!

...

After bringing the series to 1-2, the Celtics players finally had the confidence they previously lacked!

The argument between Bird and Zhang Yang became even more intense.

Bird had never thought he’d play like this, priding himself on being the most selfless player, but now he was using the most "selfish" way to play—and he was really enjoying it!

To not let someone get smug, he picked fights whether there was a reason or not.

Zhang Yang was also happy to argue with Bird, helping to alleviate some of the pressure on his teammates.

He could sense his teammates’ confidence returning, but the pressure remained.