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Chapter 307 - 150. Then let’s deplete each other!

Chapter 307: 150. Then let’s deplete each other!

Zhang Yang launched a sneak attack from behind, dunked over Yao Ming, and immediately took off after the dunk.

Running past the three-point line, Zhang Yang turned back and gave Yao Ming a ’yeah’ gesture, then high-fived his retreating teammates in celebration.

During the last round, when Zhang Yang saw Yao Ming positioning for a rebound, the idea came to him... The main reason was that Yao Ming’s defensive positioning was too far inside while covering Felton, within the restricted area. When Zhang Yang got to the free-throw line and saw Yao Ming there, he didn’t think twice and just charged in.

He didn’t actually figure out where the ball would land, but he believed Yao Ming had.

This type of center, when positioning himself for a rebound, generally stands where he predicts the ball will drop.

During the transition from offense to defense, Yao Ming aggressively positioned himself against Perkins, calling for the ball in the low post.

Alston passed the ball to Yao Ming, who took two steps to bump Perkins under the basket, grabbed the ball, turned around, raised it... pass!

The ball flew past Okafor, who had moved in, to Juwan Howard in the left elbow area, who caught it and made the mid-range jumper!

Okafor hadn’t expected Yao Ming to calmly pass the ball at that moment; Zhang Yang’s provocation seemed to have no effect!

Moreover, the pass was fast and accurate, and the timing was well-grasped; the big man’s handiwork was incredibly fine!

As Zhang Yang was getting the ball under the basket to inbound it, he brushed past Yao Ming and noticed the giant glancing at him out of the corner of his eye.

He knew he had been too clever for his own good.

It was Yao Ming’s fifth year in the NBA, and he had been provoked countless times.

Zhang Yang had a deep understanding of this too.

If he, Zhang San, hadn’t provoked him, the "little giant" might have clumsily retaliated, but his provocation had instead calmed the opponent down.

When it was the Bobcats’ turn to attack, Felton continued to handle the ball, with Alston sticking close. Felton didn’t continue to forcefully penetrate inside but looked for Perkins to set a screen.

Juwan Howard stepped out to block Felton’s shot, while Alston left Perkins open, standing between Felton and Okafor to cut off the pass.

Felton’s long shot was still covered, so he had to drive inside.

After setting the screen, Perkins didn’t notice Zhang Yang sprinting from the left corner around the three-point line, also cutting towards the basket.

Felton drove in, colliding with Perkins. On Okafor’s side, McGrady also double-teamed with Alston to cut off the pass, leaving only Gerald Wallace open. Felton hurriedly passed the ball to him.

Gerald Wallace caught the ball and charged toward the inside...

Yao Ming defended on top, McGrady quickly converged into position... blocked!

McGrady blocked the shot and grabbed the ball himself, initiating the counterattack!

Zhang Yang retreated to the backcourt as McGrady drove into the lane, soaring up to dunk just as Zhang Yang reached to grab the ball... Zhang Yang’s quick reflexes enabled him to slap the ball upraised by McGrady, thwarting McGrady’s counterattack but failing to gain possession, as the ball bounced out of bounds.

McGrady spread his hands towards the referee who ignored him; Zhang Yang’s block was clean.

McGrady didn’t linger; it was just a try. He wasn’t getting many calls anyway. Except for the year he won the scoring title with multiple breakthroughs, averaging 9.7 free throws per game, other seasons he capped at an average of 7 free throws at best.

Zhang Yang exhaled deeply, feeling immense pressure even though the game had just begun.

The last play was purely McGrady being overconfident, overlooking Zhang San’s presence, which allowed him to deflect the ball.

If McGrady had been more cautious, or passed the ball to Alston, who was following up on the flank, Zhang San would have been helpless.

But Zhang Yang’s pressure didn’t come from the opponent’s last counterattack; it was their defense, the Rockets’ defensive coordination was too good!

With Yao Ming like a pillar under the basket, Alston and Juwan Howard blocking outside shots, and McGrady helping double-team on the wing... their team offense simply couldn’t break through!

As the Rockets settled into their half-court offense, Yao Ming didn’t continue to call for the ball in the low post but instead spread out to the wing to wait for the pass.

Alston passed the ball to McGrady for a one-on-one.

Zhang Yang thought the Rockets’ point guard was really interesting. During the 04-05 season, Bob Sura didn’t look to pass to Yao Ming, only to McGrady. Now, Alston seems to dismiss McGrady, preferring to pass to Yao Ming first...

McGrady drove past Gerald Wallace in a one-on-one, while Gerald Wallace struggled to catch up, teaming with Perkins to double-team McGrady. McGrady attempted a close-range shot... no good!

Okafor secured the defensive rebound and passed to Zhang Yang.

Zhang Yang led the break, with Battier closing in fast to restrict his acceleration. Zhang Yang turned around Battier and surged into the frontcourt. Alston stood in his way, and with McGrady having already run back after his shot, reaching the three-point line, Zhang Yang had to stop and wait for his teammates to get into position for the half-court offense.

Felton continued to try pick-and-roll offense, this time looking for Okafor.

Last round, he chose Perkins, hoping to pull Yao Ming out. Even if Yao Ming didn’t come out to defend the pick-and-roll, getting Okafor to pull him away from the paint a bit would have been good, however, the opponent’s defensive teamwork was so fluid it made his scalp tingle, forcing him to honestly seek Okafor for the screen-and-roll.

But the result wasn’t great. After using the screen, Felton was trapped by McGrady and Juwan Howard on the right side of the key, while Gerald Wallace cut in from the baseline, with Yao Ming already back under the basket!

Fortunately, Felton remained calm, protecting the ball with his sturdy body and pulling out, passing to Zhang Yang who came up to assist.

Zhang Yang faced Battier in a mid-range one-on-one at the front of the basket, using a fake drive followed by a pull-up jumper!

He learned the step-back jumper from Frank Hamblen, with an erratic release timing that could fool most people, but not Battier.

Battier seldom jumped on defense, nor did he hastily retreat; he knew he had backup. When Zhang Yang stepped back, Battier immediately closed in.