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Chapter 735 - 313. The Inescapable ’Curse’_5

Chapter 735: 313. The Inescapable ’Curse’_5

Carter averaged 5+ assists for the first time in his career, playing 30 games with an average of 25.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.2 steals. With the aid of Odom and Richard Jefferson, he had the most impressive statistical season of his career. In terms of compatibility, a center like Odom and a 3D forward like Jefferson were definitely more suited for him than Kidd and Jefferson.

Richard Jefferson averaged 22.6 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.9 blocks.

Odom averaged 17.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks.

The trio’s performance ranked among the top in the league among all trios.

However, aside from them, the Nets had no one else, they could hold their own against anyone, but when facing strong teams, they seldom won.

At 8:24 PM, the game ended.

Carter made 8 of 18 shots, including 2 of 5 from three-point range, plus 7 of 8 free throws, securing 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Richard Jefferson scored 21 points and 5 rebounds, and Odom had 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists, both also performing exceptionally well, with the Nets’ trio all scoring over 20... but they were the only three scoring in double figures.

On the Bobcats’ side, Jarett Jack, although a starter, only played 23 minutes tonight, and a few minutes were as a scoring guard substitute.

Substitute Rondo, on the other hand, played 35 minutes!

Rondo, shooting 4 of 10, including 1 of 3 from three-point range and 2 of 3 free throws, earned a triple-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists!

Along with Hill’s 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists, and Millsap’s 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists... The Bobcats had a high total of 31 assists tonight.

Against the Spurs and Rockets, the team’s offense couldn’t unfold, but against the Nets, everything came together.

Under his teammates’ excellent passing, Zhang Yang scored easily, making 13 of 20 shots, including 1 of 1 three-pointer, and 7 of 7 free throws, efficiently scoring 34 points with 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks.

to 99, the Bobcats, having returned from a nightmarish away series, struck hard against a weaker team, winning by 16 points!

Zhang Yang now understood how the Mavericks players felt when they played against them, the feeling of venting was truly exhilarating...

But the joyful times always passed quickly, after a day’s rest, on January 10th, the game day arrived where the Bobcats faced the Pistons at home.

This game was taken very seriously from the players to the coaching staff to the owner.

The Pistons and the Chicago Bulls were two teams they’d at least meet in the playoffs, and if they couldn’t win the Eastern Conference top spot from the Bulls, the Bobcats aimed to face both.

Although the consecutive away games in the West were frustrating, having lost against the second, fifth, and eighth in the West, the Bobcats didn’t lose their confidence, as the rest of the teams in the East, apart from the top three, were easy marks.

They paid extra attention to the Pistons... mainly the head coach and the owner had a particular interest, both had scores to settle with the Pistons.

Joe’s nature was such that paying back once in the playoffs wasn’t enough; if there was a chance, he would keep settling scores.

Carlisle, although he started serving as a consultant during last year’s Eastern Conference Finals, had never officially led a team to defeat the Pistons, and his grudge hadn’t faded one bit.

In the morning, the league announced the first stage of the All-Star voting results. From December 26th to January 8th, accumulating over two weeks, Zhang Yang led with 1.14 million votes, currently the only player with over a million in votes, leading the pack.

The youngest FMVP ever, starting the season with 13 consecutive wins, maintaining the top position in the league for over two months... the media commented—this was Zhang Yang’s season to become a superstar.

Wade, with 670,000 votes, was second among the Eastern guards, over Carter with 590,000 votes, and Felton with 560,000 votes ranked fourth.

The competition for another starting guard in the East was intense, with the topic "Who is better, Carter or Wade?" heating up again after Christmas, as fans of both players argued non-stop.

For forwards, James was first with 910,000 votes, Okafor second with 830,000 votes, and Ben Wallace third with 600,000 votes.

For centers, Yao Ming led with 890,000 votes, significantly ahead of Howard with 670,000 votes in second place, and O’Neal with 440,000 votes in third.

In the West, Garnett led with 1.01 million votes, ranked second in the league.

Garnett’s immense popularity exploded upon arriving in the City of Angels, becoming the season’s Western popularity king; if considered just within the US, he was first.

For Western forwards, Anthony was second with 650,000 votes, Nowitzki third with 580,000 votes, and Yi Jianlian fourth with 450,000 votes...

For guards, Kobe led with 950,000 votes, like Garnett, decisively leading, with Iverson in second at 630,000 votes, McGrady third at 550,000 votes, Nash fourth at 510,000 votes, and Kidd fifth at 490,000 votes...

At center, Duncan led with 870,000 votes, clearly ahead of Stoudemire with 760,000 votes in second.

Zhang Yang felt a little proud seeing the first stage of votes, but he knew to maintain his lead, he needed to continue performing well, especially since Garnett’s popularity this year was a bit exaggerated.

Yao Ming still being the first in the East, both the former and future leading centers of the league seemed quite tragic.

Duncan being the leading center... Zhang Yang remembered how before Christmas, Duncan in an interview had admitted he cared about being a center!