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Chapter 489 - 214. Carlisle: I want to coach the Bad Boys... Legion!_3

Chapter 489: 214. Carlisle: I want to coach the Bad Boys... Legion!_3

...

Bickerstaff continued the practice of going toe-to-toe with the stars, actively relying on his own stars unlike Saunders who was forced to depend on them.

Who says Jeff Van Gundy’s approach is useless? It’s just that the Rockets’ lineup wasn’t up to par. Look at them here; with a few capable players, isn’t this strategy quite effective?

Zhang Yang continued to play.

In the first quarter he played less than 8 minutes, just over 6 minutes in the second quarter, and 10 minutes in the third; for the first three quarters, he only played 24 minutes. Plus, his defensive role was similar to a greatly injured McGrady, mostly taking care of Prince and Delfino who lacked ball-handling abilities and had a single scoring function, so he was in good physical condition.

Through the arrangement of defensive roles and lineup rotation, Bickerstaff created the conditions for Zhang Yang to play the entire final quarter.

On the Pistons side, Hamilton, who also played the entire three quarters, continued on.

Hamilton presents less concern for the coach in terms of energy distribution than Zhang Yang; there was simply no need to worry.

In 2005, during the finals against the Spurs, Hamilton averaged 42 minutes per game, the most on the court; in 2004, against the Lakers, he nearly ran Kobe ragged, averaging 44.4 minutes, second only to Kobe’s 46.2 minutes and the second-highest on the court.

Tonight, in terms of running distance and defensive intensity, Hamilton had no problem playing the full quarter.

The break between quarters ended, and the final quarter of the game began.

Zhang Yang and Hamilton continued their competition!

Hamilton ran wildly looking for opportunities to receive passes and shoot, while Zhang Yang seized the chance to go one-on-one.

Hamilton had Billups as the main controller, sharing the pressure of one-on-one plays, while Zhang Yang also had Okafor, Felton, and Gerald Wallace to assist him.

The confrontations and aggressive attacks from earlier had an impact by the final quarter; the scoring efficiency for both teams’ stars began to decline.

For the Pistons, Rasheed Wallace was almost useless by the last quarter, limited to defense and just staying outside waiting for three-point catch-and-shoot opportunities, unable to run and needing to stand with his hands on his waist to recover stamina for defense.

Even Hamilton saw a significant drop in shooting percentage in the last quarter, scoring only 6 points from 3 out of 8 shots after playing for over 10 minutes.

Billups threw four three-pointers, making only one, plus a successful drive that drew a foul and made both free throws, ending up with 5 points.

Adding Rasheed Wallace’s catch-and-shoot three-pointer, the Pistons scored a total of 14 points in over 10 minutes.

The Bobcats situation wasn’t much better, with Zhang Yang going one-on-one 8 times, successfully getting off 7 shots, but making only 2 out of 7 attempts, plus 2 free throws, totaling just 6 points.

Adding Okafor’s 4 points and Gerald Wallace’s 2 points, the Bobcats scored 12 points in over 10 minutes.

With 10 minutes and 24 seconds left in the last quarter, the Pistons closed the gap by two points, bringing the score to 85 versus 89!

It was the Pistons’ turn to attack with not much time left; Billups didn’t care anymore and went one-on-one against Gerald Wallace, driving... stepping back for a long two... and he scores!

At the crucial moment, you can always trust the civilian FMVP’s shot! 87 to 89, the gap closed to two points!

In the transition from defense to offense, when it came time for someone to step up and take the key shot, Zhang Yang never fell behind. He moved to the right elbow area of the paint and received the ball to post up Billups.

Hamilton was skinny, Prince comparatively slow, so at the critical moment, Billups took on the responsibility of defending Zhang Yang.

Zhang Yang’s post moves were slow and deliberate until he suddenly sped up, feigning a turnaround jumper. Billups hurried up to him... but he fell for the fake!

Zhang Yang spun with the ball, with great rhythm, shaking Billups off and driving into the paint, shooting over the defense of Rasheed Wallace... and he nails it!

to 87, the Bobcats led by 4 points again!

With the Pistons on offense, Gerald Wallace clung tightly to Billups, preferring to allow the drive rather than giving Billups a three-point opportunity with less than 1 minute left, his defensive choice earning unanimous praise from the commentators.

But Hamilton found an opportunity!

Dragging Felton around a long route, he managed to leave Felton unable to keep up, making it to the left 45-degree angle.

Billups coordinated perfectly, passing the ball to Hamilton as soon as he reached the 45-degree mark.

Hamilton caught the ball and turned, facing Zhang Yang rushing up from the baseline; he shoots a three-pointer... and hits!

to 91, the difference narrowed to 1 point!

Bickerstaff didn’t call for a timeout; Felton took the inbound pass and confidently advanced upcourt, afterwards signaling Zhang Yang to go down low, drawing Rasheed Wallace’s attention towards him.

This junior had such high basketball IQ; his stamina fading, no longer able to support long-distance drives, he inched his back-down position closer and closer, all the way to the elbow area regularly used by interior players.

Rasheed Wallace’s attention wavered for a moment, and he turned around... Okafor had run out!

He rushed to follow, but it was too late.

Felton used Okafor’s screen to shake off Hamilton, and fired a three-pointer... it’s good!

Felton answered Hamilton’s recent three-pointer, pushing the lead back to 4 points!

The Pistons called for a timeout!

Only 26 seconds remained, and Saunders set up a three-point play for Hamilton to take the shot.

Although Billups had stronger three-point ability, he was facing Gerald Wallace, making drives easier but threes more challenging, hindered by a height disadvantage of over ten centimeters...

Coming back from the timeout, the Pistons had possession in the frontcourt.

The Bobcats made a personnel adjustment, substituting Rondo in for Felton to chase Hamilton... but he was just as unable to keep up; Hamilton could run too well.

However, when Hamilton came around for his second loop to get the ball, Zhang Yang had gotten in front of him!

Zhang Yang didn’t even bother with Prince; if the Prince made the shot, good for him.

But Hamilton didn’t trust Prince with the key shot either and decided to take it himself, sidestepping... unable to shake Zhang Yang. With time running out, he forced a three-pointer against Zhang Yang’s defense... and missed! Zhang Yang’s contest was perfectly executed!

After contesting the shot, Zhang Yang immediately broke toward the frontcourt... and it was the right bet! Rondo, who had been shaken off at the elbow, grabbed the defensive rebound!

Billups only realized he had to chase down Rondo after he secured the rebound... too late!

Zhang Yang accelerated into the frontcourt, received the long pass from Rondo, took two steps and tossed the ball... it’s in!

to 90, with 8 seconds left, the Bobcats led by 6 points, securing the victory!