One Year Left to Play-Chapter 270 - 96: Early Celebration

Zhang Hao failed to intercept, turned around and saw Schmitz tiptoeing for a floater, sending the ball into the basket.

Post-up 97, passing 93, Mark Jackson's two top-tier and even superior skills were displayed to the fullest at this moment!

Although he was the opponent and Zhang Hao felt a lot of pressure from being played against, while running to the frontcourt, Zhang Hao thought of Mark Jackson's post-up just now, feeling envious—Is this the ultimate form of my post play? So amazing, if only my post play were this strong... huh? Something seems off, I'm a big man! How did I end up comparing myself to a guard...

Reaching beyond the three-point line, Zhang Hao put aside his cluttered thoughts and looked to the backcourt, where Kenny Anderson was advancing past half-court under Mark Jackson's entanglement.

Upon reaching the three-point line, Kenny Anderson began to isolate.

Kenny Anderson couldn't stop Mark Jackson's post-up; in the NBA, there are hardly any point guards who can withstand it, but few point guards can also stop Kenny Anderson's speed-driven breakthrough in the NBA!

Relying on his speed, Kenny Anderson drove straight to the baseline, then executed a Tim Hardaway-style abrupt stop crossover, reaching one step outside the right side of the three-second area for a floater... The ball flew over Schmitz, who came up for a help defense, and went straight into the basket!

A classic point guard-style breakthrough and floater!

In transition, Mark Jackson continued post-up play starting beyond the three-point line, with PJ Brown moving early towards the free-throw line to prevent Mark Jackson from reaching the low-post area, which would be too dangerous.

Mark Jackson astutely distributed the ball out to Derek McKay at the top arc, Derek McKay facilitated from there, and Zhang Hao already saw Dale Davis cutting in, but Schmitz was pressuring him tightly, and he couldn't figure out whom Derek McKay was actually going to pass to from the top arc. Dale Davis successfully cut to the basket, received a pass from Derek McKay, used Schmitz as a screen to block Zhang Hao, and comfortably floated the ball for two points.

This offensive play by the Pacers can be described as slow yet stinky, casual fans might not appreciate it, but it's really impressive!

After these two plays, not only did Zhang Hao think of Mark Jackson as a model for his post-up and playmaking, but even the Brooklyn Nets coaching staff believed so.

However, they couldn't pinpoint whether it was Mark Jackson's playing style that was peculiar or if Zhang Hao's playing style had issues...

Anyway, both of their playing styles were unconventional.

On the transition, Kenny Anderson continued to break through, and Zhang Hao noticed the change in the opponent's defensive positioning during Kenny Anderson's breakthrough, trying hard to analyze possible defensive movements and potential changes in teammate positioning.

Seizing the opportunity, Zhang Hao actively circumvented from the top, reaching the left side of the free-throw line when Kenny Anderson reached the baseline.

Just as Zhang Hao had analyzed, Kenny Anderson was blocked at the right-side position of the three-second area! Simultaneously, the passing line to Chales at a 45-degree angle on the strong side of the right three-point line was intercepted, and the passing space to his recently vacated left baseline was also obstructed.

But just then, the Pacers exposed a passing lane facing the left front of Kenny Anderson in the three-second area! Kenny Anderson saw Zhang Hao appearing there and immediately passed the ball!

The Pacers' defense reacted quickly, but Zhang Hao's shot was decisive; before the Pacers' defense could set up, Zhang Hao received the ball and took a mid-range shot...

From the free-throw line distance, it was too comfortable; Zhang Hao's mid-range shot hit again!

23 points!

78 to 75, the Brooklyn Nets continue to maintain their leading advantage.

The Pacers' game has very distinct characteristics, evident in their offense; you can often see them performing excellently in the first quarter, dropping sharply in the second, and then doing well again in the third. During this period, their defense remains very consistent, as is the case tonight.

The most obvious feature is their fierce opening attack in the fourth quarter, sometimes even fiercer than the first, coupled with strong defense, they often manage to overwhelm their opponents at the start of the fourth quarter.

Their defensive prowess doesn't need much explanation, but their offensive trait is brought about by Mark Jackson. Their enhanced stability on offense is entirely due to Mark Jackson's addition. Before Mark Jackson's arrival, they were an ordinary playoff team, with great player configuration but just ordinary playoff strength. Last season, Mark Jackson's inclusion brought out a stable and efficient offensive performance along with the defensive system built by Larry Brown, allowing them to play this well.

It is evident that with Mark Jackson, their offensive stability is among the top in the entire league. Once Mark Jackson's strong attack time passes, the offensive efficiency drops by a level, and when Mark Jackson goes for a rest, it drops another level.

And Mark Jackson's stamina isn't great, so he usually uses his post-up to initiate offense in tense fourth quarters, and it's during this period that the Pacers always deliver their strongest offensive performance.

But tonight, the Brooklyn Nets are still holding onto their lead in the first half of the fourth quarter, relying on their intense momentum and outstanding performance, resisting the Pacers' strongest segment of offense in the whole game!

After a few rounds in the fourth quarter, the Brooklyn Nets are still leading the Pacers by two points at 84 to 82, and it's going to be the Brooklyn Nets' ball next!

Thanks to Derek McKay cutting off a pass and knocking it out of bounds, the Pacers temporarily halted the Brooklyn Nets' offense, dead ball, and called a timeout.