One Year Left to Play-Chapter 228 - 77: Charge! Charge! Charge!

Chales and Edwards, the Brooklyn Nets' best defensive guard pairing, lack impact on the offensive end, but their defense is decent, a specific type of guard combo. It's impossible to completely shut down the opposing team, but they just need to limit their performance, making the Pistons' star guards play less effectively.

What they need to do is ensure their success rate is higher than their opponent's!

Luckily, they did it!

Relying on Almon Gilliam and Jason Williams' inside offense, they scored on four consecutive possessions at the start of the third quarter, including Jason Williams grabbing an offensive rebound and converting a second-chance opportunity into a 2+1 play, making the free throw.

On the other side, the Pistons truly didn't anticipate the Brooklyn Nets' increasingly targeted style of play, as they were caught off guard!

The Pistons' coaching staff had great confidence in their players, believing they had the capability to make the playoffs, as evidenced in the preseason.

In their view, the Brooklyn Nets, without Coleman, are undoubtedly a competitor in the Tim Duncan race.

If the Brooklyn Nets underestimated the Pistons before the game, then the Pistons didn't even bother to consider the Brooklyn Nets at all in the pre-game analysis.

However, they did pay extra attention to rookie Zhang Hao.

Of course, as the Brooklyn Nets started playing well, the Pistons began taking it seriously, actively looking for weaknesses in the Brooklyn Nets and exploiting them to the fullest.

Yet, the Brooklyn Nets' strength indeed exceeded the Pistons players' expectations, far more than anticipated. The Brooklyn Nets also have playoff potential!

This detail even the Brooklyn Nets themselves hadn't noticed.

Both coaches are rookies, and the players set themselves at a low position, believing they just need to give their all.

While the Pistons found themselves in this current situation, for now, they can only grit and play hard.

Although their strength has made a leap this year, it's still the first game.

In the opening four possessions, only Alan Houston's mid-range jump shot made one, as the Brooklyn Nets went on a 9 to 2 run!

67 to 60!

Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, the Pistons called a timeout to make a substitution; with only two minutes into the third quarter, they were forced to bring Grant Hill on.

Grant Hill felt immense pressure; this season is different from last season. Last season, despite leading the team to poor results, fans were still willing to vote him as the All-Star King because he was a rookie.

But now, he is already the All-Star King!

Currently, the expectations he faces are the same as those of superstar players, he must lead his team to victory.

Joining Grant Hill on the court were Lynch Hunt, Michael Curry, Edith Soper, and Terry Mills.

As he glanced at the opposition, Grant Hill noticed they hadn't made any substitutions. Zhang Hao, Chales, Edwards, Almon Gilliam, and Jason Williams were huddled together discussing tactics.

Roughly, Grant Hill guessed what changes the other side might make.

Back from the timeout, Pistons were now on the offensive.

With a player nearing superstar level, the changes were apparent. Right up there, Grant Hill drove to the basket, beating Zhang Hao to score.

His weight was still a bit off, unable to completely stabilize, and Zhang Hao wasn't able to defend effectively, conceding a foul as well.

Grant Hill made the additional free throw.

63 to 67, instantly the score was back to a tight contest.

Having been overtaken by Grant Hill, Zhang Hao surprisingly found enjoyment in it; this was what he wanted, although there was a bit of pain.

He is really strong! Without doubt, a super versatile player of the era capable of defending power forwards.

In this situation, Zhang Hao really wanted to shout—come on, a bit harder.

To make Grant Hill go harder, it would be best if Grant Hill directed every offensive play towards him.

Initially, it hurts somewhat, but the more it happens, the more you get used to it.

Although this kind of offense has a higher success rate, it consumes Grant Hill much more than middle-range and close-range shots!

Switching offense and defense, this time Grant Hill surprised Zhang Hao.

Originally, he thought Grant Hill would come to defend him, as it's evident Almon Gilliam needed rest, couldn't be left undefended, but there was no need to use Grant Hill.

Zhang Hao thought at this point the Pistons surely saw this, thus would use Grant Hill to defend him, so he could lead Grant Hill on a run, further consuming him.

This idea came to Zhang Hao because Grant Hill spent a considerable time defending him in the first quarter.

However, Grant Hill went to defend Almon Gilliam, leaving Edith Soper to guard Zhang Hao.

"Is he prioritizing Gilliam or has he seen through our strategy?"

Zhang Hao hesitated a bit, then decided to ignore it, with Edith Soper guarding him, in this formation… it's his turn to attack!

Chales made a similar judgment, signaling, Gilliam draws the defense close, Edwards draws it outside the three-point line, Chales and Jason Williams initiate the pick-and-roll offense, Zhang Hao takes the main attacking role!

As Zhang Hao set up the pick on the perimeter, he suddenly sped up, with Chales watching him closely, passing accurately to Zhang Hao who received the ball at the baseline for a mid-range shot…

It was off!

Yet, as Edith Soper pulled back to contest the rebound, Jason Williams managed to tip the ball over Grant Hill and Edith Soper, directing it towards Zhang Hao at the left baseline.