One Year Left to Play-Chapter 256 - 90: Charge Forward!

After Zhang Hao took the court, the Brooklyn Nets' inside space became even more open!

Pure defense, you really need a good enough defensive lineup to ensure strength. Even the future 2004 Pistons sometimes struggled in regular season play, and the Heat compared to that Pistons team, are clearly lacking!

39 to 30, the point difference came back to 9 points!

It was the Heat's turn on offense. Moning faced Zhang Hao and PJ Brown's double team, created space for a shot, but his force was unstable and the ball hit the front edge of the rim!

A 4-on-1 defense evidently can't be used for long, it just catches the opponent by surprise, so they used Robert Wodan to grapple regardless of fouls.

It worked!

In a game against a strong defensive team, having the initiative is crucial, as advantages snowball!

Even with Kevin Willis around, the Heat avoided the embarrassment of someone backing down from the free throw line, but the Nets regained the initiative.

Halfway through the game, in the last two and a half minutes, the Nets returned the Heat with a 9 to 3 run, leading them by 13 points at 46 to 33 into halftime!

Back in the locker room, Randy Whitman was conflicted.

To ride the momentum and push forward, or to be steady and wear them down slowly?

Both strategies have their merits. As a first-time head assistant coach with just over a year of experience, he still has a young heart, but his goal is to become a calm coach, constantly demanding this of himself.

After teammates returned from bathroom breaks or snacks... all gathered back in the locker room, Randy Whitman made his decision.

On hearing Randy Whitman's third-quarter strategy, Zhang Hao found it risky, but it was very conducive to his performance!

...

Halftime ended, and players from both teams returned to the court.

The third quarter was about to start, and the starting lineups for the second half were on the court.

The Heat rolled out a lineup of Koels, Keith Askins, Owens, Kurt Thomas, and Moning.

The Nets sent out Kenny Anderson, Edwards, Vaughn Fleming, Zhang Hao, and PJ Brown.

Randy Whitman's rotation wasn't rigid; whoever was more effective in the match was used.

The second half began, with the Heat on the attack first.

Moning caught the ball and high-held it to attract double teams, then passed to Kurt Thomas, who seized the opportunity—a mid-range shot went in!

35 to 46, the Heat players quickly retreated on defense.

It was clear that Riley spent halftime thinking hard about countering the Nets' double team of two athletic players, using Kurt Thomas instead of Kevin Willis, to ensure Moning was ready to pass for a good shot.

The Heat reignited their spirit, defending patiently and intently.

When it was the Nets' turn on offense, seeing Kurt Thomas at the power forward position, the Nets' players spread out, looking to let Zhang Hao continue backing down... only to find that Moning was now defending Zhang Hao! 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Backing down? Faced with Moning's presence, feeling the intense confrontation, Zhang Hao decisively began to move.

Intentionally, Zhang Hao didn't move at full speed, allowing Moning to catch up.

Kenny Anderson found the moment after advancing, changed pace, and accelerated, forcefully breaking Koels down to the basket!

Koels defended well, maintaining close coverage despite Kenny Anderson's breakthrough, denying Kenny a mid-range opportunity.

Kurt Thomas grabbed the chance to step up, cutting Kenny Anderson's pass route to PJ Brown, trying to pin Kenny Anderson outside the three-second area.

Kenny Anderson lightly jumped past before the double team formed, entered the key area, rose, shot a floater... and scored calmly!

Without Moning in the paint, Kevin Willis was absent, Kenny Anderson played with ease.

Though the Heat lineup boasted mobility in defense, it wasn't suitable against the Nets.

Pat Riley's aim wasn't to bolster defense but to enhance offense!

When the Heat attacked again, Kurt Thomas hit another mid-range shot after receiving a pass!

This didn't sway the Nets' strategy. Zhang Hao and PJ Brown persisted in wearing Moning down on defense, while on offense, Zhang Hao continued drawing Moning out, as Kenny Anderson or Edwards ISO against Rex Chapman defensively.

Several rounds passed, the point difference stayed resistant to reduction by the Heat, even increased by three, thanks to Kenny Anderson's three-pointer! 58 to 42, the gap widened to 16 points!

Heat's turn on offense, Rex Chapman made a catch-and-shoot three, Moning struggled internally, passed to open up the offense, achieving success at last.

With the Nets attacking, Moning chose to sit in the paint, spread wide without covering Zhang Hao, blocking Zhang from posting up, giving the Nets a smooth lane goal.

Kurt Thomas certainly can't defend! He needs solid footwork and more game experience.

Having scored 4 points and one assist and played well offensively, Kurt Thomas moved back to power forward against Zhang Hao, then cursed under breath!

"Can I see something fresh? How is it still this move!"

Seeing Kurt Thomas guard him, Zhang Hao took position on the left baseline near the key.

Why not straight to the basket?

With Moning double teaming on receiving the ball, how can one play? At that distance, space is ample, vision is optimal, facilitating passes better!

Perhaps to ascertain Zhang Hao's touch after halftime's first attempt, the Heat didn't double team, Zhang Hao confidently hit a close turnaround jump shot on left key!

"King of Turnaround Jumpers (Bronze)" triggered again!

Zhang Hao realized the probability of activating "King of Turnaround Jumpers" was higher with a complete move from backing down than from just catch-and-shoot.

This implies further refining catch turnaround jumps is necessary.

Though Zhang Hao scored, dissatisfaction lingered, while the Heat struggled since mid-first quarter till now, tension rising to bursting!

The Heat's turn, Moning faced a double team upon ball contact, perturbed, chose not to pass but forcefully shoulder bash away, hanging PJ Brown for a strong dunk...

The referee blew the whistle repeatedly, gesturing punching—charging!

The shoulder action was too overt; that foul needed calling even at the Heat's home turf.

In the Nets' offensive return, Zhang Hao continued to employ a steady pace. Moning spotted the chance, intervened this time without early double teaming, aiming to block Zhang Hao's shot.

Zhang Hao adjusted his shot arc... but missed, PJ Brown tipped in before Kurt Thomas arrived—scored!

60 to 45, the point lead was 15 points!

The Heat called a timeout!

Returning from timeout, both teams adjusted their setup.

In favorable circumstances, thoughts are clearer. Randy Whitman's intentions were straightforward, adhering to the halftime plan, deploying a lineup of Kenny Anderson, Chales, Zhang Hao, Jason Williams, PJ Brown.

Meanwhile, Pat Riley swapped Keith Askins for Rex Chapman, whose recent minutes' negative impact outweighed positive contributions, brought Kevin Willis for Kurt Thomas.

Reinforced defense against the paint and extended mid-range coverage.

The move severely dropped the Heat's offensive capability!

Koels' solo breakthrough's mid-range jump shot bricked under PJ Brown's defensive coverage, thanks to Moning's robust follow-through providence.

Post Moning's putback, Jason Williams immediately picked the ball up and sent it out.

Moning rushed to halt Zhang Hao, but Zhang Hao already darted forward!

Moning pursued earnestly... couldn't catch up!

Not only Moning lagged, Keith Askins reached midcourt ahead on defense, glimpsed Zhang Hao narrowing their gap hurriedly!

Keith Askins accelerated full back, maintaining distance, escaped Zhang Hao's overtaking during retreat. On arrival at the basket, Zhang Hao caught the pass at the free throw line, dribbled once in, leaped, Keith Askins looked up—a sudden blackout...

"Who am I? Where am I? Why am I standing here?"