One Year Left to Play-Chapter 254 - 89: The Latecomer Surpasses the Predecessor

If they could restrict Zhang Hao like the Blazers did, it would definitely be a reason for Kurt Thomas to celebrate.

However, ever since he got on the court, he's been getting pounded by Zhang Hao…

Here it comes again!

At this moment, Zhang Hao understood why Jordan and future Kobe loved to overpower their opponents in the low post like a center; when you have the advantage in static physical attributes and strength, playing this way is incredibly easy, possibly the least exhausting way to play one-on-one.

Exert force, roll back!

A player with back-to-the-basket skills and passing ability benefits not so much from the passing itself but from having more opportunities to play one-on-one!

Keith Askins and Koels on the outside didn't dare to shrink in, and Moning hesitated with another opponent's interior player behind him.

Zhang Hao once again successfully pushed Kurt Thomas from the free-throw line to the left sideline of the paint, attempted a turnaround fadeaway…

The opportunity was great, but unfortunately, it didn't go in; just a tad too much excitement and strength on the release.

Moning found it hard to grab the offensive board over Jason Williams, and likewise, facing Moning's broad physique, Jason Williams found it difficult to snatch it away.

Moning secured the rebound and passed it to Owens.

During the transition defense, the Heat quickly communicated about their offensive coordination, and Owens pushed to the frontcourt, stalling time, and with 10 seconds left on the shot clock, aggressively attacked Almon Gilliam!

Owens had the speed and agility advantage, and Edwards immediately double-teamed him.

At this moment, Keith Askins set an off-ball screen for Koels, Moning was more determined in his effort to crash in; Owens passed the ball to Koels, who then took a high-jump shot from the right side of the free-throw line… It's in!

Finally, after several rounds, the Heat scored!

13 to 15! A two-point difference!

The Heat players suddenly got excited; on defense, seeing Zhang Hao continue with his backplay starting from the free-throw line, Moning began moving his feet in advance.

But this was noticed by Almon Gilliam, though he didn't know if Zhang Hao noticed, he began moving towards the free-throw line.

When Zhang Hao used his rear to push Kurt Thomas to near the left side of the paint, Almon Gilliam suddenly pushed off Owens, cutting through the middle!

At this moment, Moning's attention was fully on Zhang Hao; Zhang Hao exerted force to push Kurt Thomas into the paint, and Moning immediately moved to double-team!

This position for double-teaming meant Zhang Hao wasn't afraid of a baseline pass, but he saw Almon Gilliam's cut, passing through the middle!

Almon Gilliam received the ball and stepped forward to jump and slam it with both hands!

After the dunk, Almon Gilliam, like a gorilla, pounded his chest in celebration and wanted to high-five Zhang Hao in gratitude, only to see Zhang Hao running off directly.

"This kid is really…"

For the Heat players, who had just accumulated strong momentum, that play dealt quite a blow.

Unlike Zhang Hao's first successful back shot or his second assisted play, this time, the Heat were well-prepared.

But Zhang Hao still seized the opportunity to pass.

If Zhang Hao had been a second slower, Moning could have filled the gap at Almon Gilliam's position.

The impact was entirely different.

It also affected the Heat's subsequent offensive side; as Owens advanced to the frontcourt, he even forgot about stalling time.

He directly forced a breakthrough against Almon Gilliam, attempting a quick strike against the Brooklyn Nets while they were unsteady, thinking the Nets might be used to their Heat's slow-paced attack and speeding up might yield different results.

But Edwards, the veteran, consistently monitored Owens' movements, immediately double-teamed him; Koels and Keith Askins hadn't yet prepared an off-ball screen!

Owens forcibly tried to lift the ball, only to have it stolen by Edwards!

Without hesitation, Edwards immediately looked for Kenny Anderson and passed it out without delay.

The Heat's transition defense discipline was indeed commendable; practicing tirelessly during off days wasn't in vain. Koels, Keith Askins, and Owens all quickly transitioned back.

But one person sprinted out from the paint, surpassing Owens among the Heat players in retreat at the three-point line!

As Owens was being surpassed, the first to initiate a fast break, Kenny Anderson was also overtaken because Owens distracted him during his launch!

Being closer to the opponent's basket than the four teammates, Zhang Hao saw a line of words flash in front of him, "Single Rider (Gold) Activated…"

As those words appeared, Zhang Hao's speed skyrocketed!

Koels and Keith Askins, both fairly fast guards, saw the opposing Kenny Anderson and Zhang Hao launch a dual counterattack; Kenny Anderson was pinned down by Owens' prediction of the counter line, and they were planning to double-team Zhang Hao at midcourt or the three-point line, but as they turned their heads past midcourt… the number 8 jersey rushed right through!

What just happened?

The two hurriedly accelerated to their top speed, trying to catch up to Zhang Hao… but failed!

After surpassing the two, "Single Rider" was fully activated!

By the time he rushed to the free-throw line, the ball indeed arrived.

Zhang Hao took two steps forward just in time to catch Kenny Anderson's lob, jumped and gently dunked the ball!

"Dunk Master (Bronze) Activated, Brooklyn Nets' morale significantly boosted for the next three rounds…"

"Single Rider" and "Dunk Master" are simply a perfect match! As long as Mr. Zhang seizes such counterattack opportunities, he can link-activate these two skills!

Regardless of whether the final dunk was explosive or not, the counter itself is explosive enough!

19 to 13, the point gap widened to 6!

Seeing the time of the first quarter running out, the Heat players got anxious; they wanted to close the score before the first quarter ended.

Keith Askins hurriedly inbounded the ball, and Koels, in pushing mode, quickened his pace, reverting to last season's style.

Not only did the two of them speed up, but the entire Heat team also accelerated without slowing the pace, attacking in haste.

Indeed, playing fast breaks easily creates passing and receiving opportunities; as the speed increases, it greatly tests the defense's mobility.

Moning succeeded in receiving the ball on a cut, saw Jason Williams under the basket and directly jumped up against him!

Posterize!

Must posterize!

This is the only way to lift the currently low morale.

Just as Moning forcibly dunked the ball at Jason Williams, and Jason Williams was just about to shout "blocked out," a slim, long arm suddenly appeared in their vision, slapping the ball!

The combined force exerted on the ball caused it to wobble and ricochet off the rim!

Kurt Thomas, seeing Edwards at the drop point, chose to retreat due to the distance.

Indeed, another fast-break duo from the Nets!

Kurt Thomas directly retreated to the basket; Kenny Anderson this time faced no hindrance, being the first to sprint past half-court, attracting Koels and Keith Askins' defensive attention, with no big center under the basket, just a rookie power forward—external defenses couldn't stop Kenny Anderson's isolation plays.

Seizing the moment, Kenny Anderson passed the ball; Zhang Hao caught it at the three-point line and shot a long two in transition…

Owens, who caught up, could only watch as Zhang Hao comfortably received and scored!

21 to 13, the Brooklyn Nets' lead expanded to 8 points!

On the sidelines, Pat Riley couldn't help but start fidgeting with his Armani suit like his student!

He planned to continue strengthening the defense in the latter half of the first quarter; with Keith Askins at 201 cm, Owens at 201 cm, and Kurt Thomas at 206 cm, these three could handle switching on Zhang Hao better than in the first half.

Offensively, relying on Moning's interior presence to create opportunities for Kurt Thomas, a rookie with mid-range shooting skills,

The idea was simple, but in Pat Riley's eyes, it was enough to deal with the Brooklyn Nets.

Yet, unexpectedly, it was a total failure!

Pat Riley glanced at the opposing bench, spotting a spectacled man with a smile who seemed amiable, and another with a stern face looking hard to get along with—"I thought these two guys had no ability; I misjudged them..."