Free Web NovelChapter 591: Chapter 181: Frenzied Playoff Debut! (Part 3)
Score, score, and score again!
From the first three quarters of intense defense and relying on counterattacks and free throws to score five or six points each quarter, Zhang Hao’s play suddenly changed in the fourth quarter, with a wild offensive surge!
Even during a counterattack after the official timeout in the fourth quarter, when Owens fouled Zhang Hao as he was the first to retreat on defense, Zhang Hao had already surpassed Owens in position, leading the referee to call for an unsportsmanlike foul, resulting in two free throws and possession!
The Lakers were originally hoping this lineup could hold out until Van Exel returned to the court. With him, they could continue playing, allowing Zhang Hao some rest. If they could hold on until the critical moments, having Zhang Hao, Van Exel, and Doug Christie, three players capable of clutch shooting, they could still compete despite the opposing starting guards both scoring 20+ points.
Van Exel was anxiously staying patient, waiting to go fight after getting on the court.
But who knew that after playing three quarters, Van Exel sat down... and never needed to get back up!
At 9 minutes and 53 seconds in the fourth quarter, Zhang Hao did a spin move to cut into the basket, received a pass from Doug Christie, and made a layup over the same year, 13th pick, Chris Williamson, drawing a foul from Collison Williams at the same time.
Zhang Hao went to the free-throw line and completed the additional free throw, causing the Kings to call a timeout and basically admit defeat!
In the final quarter, it was 21 to 13, not the scores of both teams, but Zhang Hao versus the Kings in nine minutes!
Adding Doug Christie’s three-pointer, Jason Williams grabbing Anthony Peeler’s missed three-pointer for a 2+1 play, and Doug Christie’s solo shot that scored at the beginning.
In nine minutes, the Lakers had a 29 to 13 run, extending the lead to 20 points after already holding a 4-point lead from the end of three quarters!
to 79, a previously tight game with back-and-forth scoring between the teams in the first three quarters turned into a one-sided slaughter in the fourth!
After the Kings called a timeout, they substituted Richmond and others off, putting in the bench players.
They had surrendered!
At that moment, when the Kings called a timeout, Del Harris probably guessed that the opposing side was surrendering, substituting Zhang Hao, the Magician, and Jason Williams off, even if the opponents didn’t, replacing them with Sedale-Srte, Anthony Peeler, Doug Christie, George Lynch, and Campbell.
After all, being cautious ensures lasting success.
One must follow the choice that feels most secure in one’s heart.
No need to set up any tactics or rush that kid back because ever since that kid scored the 2+1, stepping on the free-throw line, the on-site was already boiling!
Before this spin move to score, Zhang Hao already had 37 points, tying the Lakers legend George Mikan’s record for points in a playoff debut set in 1949, and when Zhang Hao made that acrobatic layup, he broke the record! freeωebnovēl.c૦m
Making the free throw as well, Zhang Hao became the first player in NBA history to score 40 points in a playoff debut.
No one had ever done it! Neither Chamberlain nor Jordan!
In 34 minutes of playtime, 26 shots with 14 made, relying on 11 of 8 in the last quarter, Zhang Hao turned a previously decent performance of 19 points with 15 attempts and 6 makes, plus 8 free throws of 7, into a dominantly high-efficiency showcase!
shots, 14 made, 13 free throws, 12 made, Zhang Hao wildly soared to 40 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals, 3 assists, and 4 blocks... plus 5 turnovers, leading the Lakers to crush the Kings in the final quarter!
...
to 86, in the end, the Lakers triumphed over the Kings with a 21-point victory!
Initially, the fans on-site were not disappointed but felt somewhat regretful that Zhang Hao, entering the playoffs for the first time, seemed noticeably unadjusted.
Though one game can’t prove Zhang Hao’s unfitness for playoffs, yet not performing like in the regular season from the first game made fans feel regret. In the hearts of Los Angeles fans, Zhang Hao was considered a super talent comparable to the Magician, Bird, and Jordan.
However, this emotion persisted for such a short time that fans hadn’t even warmed their seats yet when Zhang Hao, after playing a little over half a quarter and resting through almost half of a quarter and mid-quarter rest, made clear adjustments in the second quarter.
Although the adjustments were not towards the fans’ expectations for high scores, explosive attacks on the basket, or beautiful shots, not even pushing throws.
Tonight, Zhang Hao did not attempt a single three-pointer.
But after a short suppression, making effective adjustments already greatly surprised the fans on-site — Our Gentleman might not yet adapt offensively, but with that talent, he can do whatever he wants, finding ways to contribute to the team!
Moreover, relying on counterattacks, Zhang Hao still scored 19 points in the first three quarters, making only two shots but 4 on counterattacks, and forcing multiple tactical fouls to get on the free-throw line due to the counterattacks.
points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks, this was Zhang Hao’s contribution for the Lakers in the second and third quarters.
This already greatly pleased the fans, not as much as in the regular season, but with this performance in his playoff debut, fans were satisfied.
Just when fans were feeling satisfied, madness ensued...
In the final quarter, scoring 21 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, and 2 steals, Zhang Hao led the team in a frenzied 37 to 22 run, slaughtering the Kings!
From Zhang Hao’s last 2+1 free throw to the end of the game, people were constantly shouting "X" and "Golden Gate," and the cheers from the fans didn’t stop until the end of the game!
The large screen immediately displayed the moment Zhang Hao broke George Mikan’s 46-year-old playoff debut scoring record right after the game ended, already shown once when Zhang Hao scored the 2+1 earlier, and now once again!
After the final whistle, the Imperial Channel staff who got the post-game interview opportunity quickly rushed to the court’s edge while Zhang Hao was enjoying the cheers and looking at prompts.... ultimately, he was reluctantly forced to start the interview.
Xu Jicheng seemed more excited than Zhang Hao, the person involved: "Aix, you broke the record again! The playoff debut record is now yours! How did you do it? I felt you were out of energy in the fourth quarter, was it the fans’ cheers that revitalized you?"
Zhang Hao rolled his eyes: "Want me to be honest?"
Seeing Zhang Hao’s expression, Xu Jicheng sensed a hint of trouble but still nodded excitedly: "Yes, yes."
"Did you see me biting my jersey?"
"I saw it! It was so cool, I got goosebumps, felt like the blood in my whole body was boiling!"
"I was actually absorbing the salt from my sweat to recover my stamina... Hey, hey, hey, Old Xu, don’t walk away!"
