...

Tenacious, tough, strong defensive team cooperation. After playing for a quarter of the game, Zhang Hao felt that the Pacers were completely different from last season. These three points made him feel like they were in the 95-96 season again.

And the details on the defensive end have been done better. In the 95-96 season led by Larry Brown, the Pacers' defense is top-notch, but it feels like they are 6-10 in the league. This season, the Pacers' defense is definitely the top five in the league!

In addition to being better at defense, the Pacers have undergone earth-shaking changes on the offensive end. When they can't defend against defense, they can make up for it on the offensive end, which is something that Larry Brown didn't have when he was coaching.

In just one quarter of the game, Zhang Hao has seen the changes in Larry Bird leading the team.

Mark Jackson still has great autonomy and allocates the ball in an orderly manner. On this basis, the cooperation between the Pacers' other members on Mark Jackson's organizational offense is much better than the 1995-96 season.

Seeing these changes, Zhang Hao inexplicably felt a little sympathy for the two No. 1 picks of the 76ers.

Zhang Hao scored 5 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist in the first quarter, and his performance was not bad.

But he is not the one who decides the score in the first quarter. O'Neal scored 9 points and 2 assists in the first quarter, which is the one who leads the Lakers to an advantage in the beginning.

Unfortunately, after the two Davis combination came on the court, he caused a pass error and an offensive foul on O'Neal. With Jaylen Ross' outstanding performance, the Pacers recovered the gap, and the Lakers failed to further widen the gap in the second half of the first quarter.

O'Neal was replaced and rested, with Fisher, Piakowski, Rick Fox, Zhang Hao, and Jason Williams playing.

The Pacers sent a combination of Travis Best, Jaylen Ross, Derek McKay, Dell Davis and Antonio Davis.

The Lakers' lineup has no other advantages except for good space and clear offensive style.

The instructions Zhang Hao received when he came on the court were also very simple to play the Pacers' outside main players!

At the beginning of the second quarter, the Pacers attacked first.

The Lakers tried to use Doug Christie and Brent Barry to defend Jaylen Ross in the second half of the first quarter, but the effect was not very good. Jaylen Ross' left-hand shot was difficult to defend.

But Rick Fox came up and the limit effect was quite good. Jaylen Ross broke through the first attack in the second quarter and almost lost all three. Jason Williams defended the defensive rebound.

The two Davis lead the defense, and the Pacers retreated very quickly. Fisher was blocked from the fast break after receiving the ball, and Zhang Hao was blocked by Antonio Davis when he was about to get off.

The Double Davis is definitely an underrated player. Zhang Hao clearly felt this in the first quarter. The two of them remembered that they were only one of Reggie Miller's bodyguards.

But this time, Zhang Hao felt that these two people were at the age of 28 and 29, and they were definitely at the All-Star level.

O'Neal is not here, it is difficult for the Lakers to play at the basket, and Zhang Hao did not choose to break through and seek trouble, but came to the high position on the right side of the three-second zone.

Antonio Davis defended well, but Zhang Hao still found an opportunity, turned around and raised his elbow, carried out space, broke into the bottom line, took a step, and made a two-pointer to hit the bottom line!

Antonio Davis looked at Zhang Hao who was scoring the goal and retreating to defend, and ran to the front court with helplessness with his waist and shook his head.

He had already defended well, but Zhang Hao's back hitting made progress again. He still made such a huge progress and had a pretty good connection ability in back hitting.

Originally, Zhang Hao's single back-playing skills were excellent, especially back-playing jump shots. When there was a connection, Zhang Hao first used the fake action of back-playing jump shots to attract the opponent to close, and then cooperated with the "Ma Long's elbow" to turn around and break the bottom line and step down to shoot. Antonio Davis had no choice but to defend one and one.

When it came to the Pacers' offense, Dell Davis and Travis Best cut in and played beautifully this time, Dell Davis made a jump shot from a close range.

It was the Lakers' offense again. Zhang Hao continued to play behind the high post, but turned around and broke through. Antonio Davis didn't dare not stick to it. Zhang Hao's turnover jump shot was too accurate. However, this time Davis made up for defense in time and covered Zhang Hao's space to pass the basket. But it didn't matter. Rick Fox moved to the free throw line in time and received Zhang Hao's pass, and then passed it to the left sideline. Piakoschi made a three-pointer in the base corner!

The Pacers' defense cooperation was really good. When Zhang Hao passed the ball to Rick Fox, Derek McKay contracted in time to close defense Jason Williams received the ball.

But Rick Fox was also very aware and predicted this in advance. When catching the ball, he kept passing the ball directly to the bottom corner on the left.

The focus is on defense. In this lineup of the Lakers, when Zhang Hao has a better high-level back-playing game, he is equipped with pitchers Fisher and Piakowski, who is supporting the core Rick Fox at a high position, and Jia Jitou, the second strongest offensive rebounding expert in the league. It is difficult to defend the Pacers' half-stop defense, but the Lakers' lineup defense is only half-stop.

The Pacers are very smart, and there are few people who have to play even though they know that it is difficult to play. Jaylen Rose brought Rick Fox, the Lakers' best defense player, to the wing, to the wing, and Travis Best continued to play a pick-and-roll breakthrough with Dell Davis.

Jason Williams, who expanded to defend against pick-and-roll this time, was the one who expanded to defend. Like the last round, Fisher and the inside line who expanded to defend, blocked Travis Best, a very fast defender. Dell Davis received the ball from the left side of the three-second zone, and Zhang Hao made up for defense.

Davis has neither the height nor the wingspan nor the strength of the shot, and he scored the right bottom line. Antonio Davis, who had just opened up to make room for Travis Best, cut into the receiving ball and dunked...

"Bang..."

Just as Antonio Davis was about to smash the ball into the basket, Zhang Hao quickly moved into place and rushed onto the ball with a palm!

Crazy cheers broke out immediately at the scene!

The ball was directly fanned out of the baseline by Zhang Hao, and it was the Pacers' right to play.

After landing, Zhang Hao thought about it and shouted at Antonio Davis, who looked annoyed.

Antonio Davis was stunned for a moment and immediately responded with a "Ah..."

After roaring, Antonio Davis chuckled and ran to the sideline to prepare for serving.

Neither Davis was angry, and the system prompted "Wolf Roar" prompt did not work, which made Zhang Hao feel very regretful.

Zhang Hao was not surprised that Dell Davis and Antonio Davis were players who were good at irritating their opponents. How could they be easily angered by their opponents?

But this time the blocking was very effective. The Pacers were slow and the pick-and-roll offense was launched very late, with only 6 seconds left.

Jaylen Ross received the ball and played Rick Fox alone, and broke into the basket, but failed to get rid of the defense. He made a desperate shot... "Bang"... and gave Zhang Hao another big hat!

The ball has not landed yet, and the 24-second violation whistle has sounded!

Jaylen Ross is not the top scorer who averages 20+ games in 5 years and 4 times in the future. Jaylen Ross, who just turned 25, has great potential, but now it is difficult for him to defend against Rick Fox. Zhang Hao, who has a first-class level in the basket, is indeed difficult to play.

The main reason is that Zhang Hao has made great progress in the past year. The last time the two teams fought was a year ago. It hasn't been a long time since they fought. Although I heard about it, I learned about Zhang Hao's progress from video or live broadcast, but the real feeling is still very different.

Especially Zhang Hao's bottom line of defense, Dell Davis, Antonio Davis, Jaylen Rose all felt it tonight.

The Lakers attacked, Fisher advanced to the frontcourt, and Zhang Hao came to the top arc and Fisher's pick-and-roll.

Fisher was very sensible and handed the ball to Zhang Hao during the pick-and-roll. Zhang Hao received the ball in the top arc and turned around.

Zhang Hao has not made many breakthroughs per game, less than 5 times, and rarely breaks when facing the front line, reducing wear on his knees and ankles. The Pacers have studied it and have been studied very carefully.

Zhang Hao breaks through, usually by jumping into the opponent's small player after pick-and-roll, and uses his body to force him to eat!

So this time the Pacers were ready to prevent breakthroughs when Zhang Hao went to the top arc pick-and-roll.

Especially after the three-point line distance in the top arc area was extended, Zhang Hao's playing style became clearer, and the Pacers were ready for defense.

However, when Zhang Hao pulled away from Fisher and the Pacers started to move and defend, he directly shot in the top arc!

"Pick-roll executor (silver) triggered, and the player wearing the player Zhang Hao made a three-pointer in the top arc area after pick-roll, and the three-pointer evaluation of the top arc area was temporarily increased to 84..."

A very good push shot opportunity, Zhang Hao did not miss it, and he had enough space and time to adjust the push shot three-pointer!

Antonio Davis, who expanded the pick-and-roll defense, did not press up but cut off Fisher's receiving line and prepared to withdraw and break through the ball. Zhang Hao seized this opportunity and took decisive action.

Larry Bird calls for a timeout!

The Lakers attacked too hard in the second quarter!

Three of them were made in 3 shots, two of which were three-pointers, scoring 8 points in a row, and the score was directly scored 35-28, and the Lakers led by 7 points!

Larry Bird looked at Zhang Hao who was walking towards the bench opposite, with a big head...

He saw Zhang Hao's progress, and it was fine, it was a genius and the ceiling of basketball talent.

But Larry Bird didn't expect the change in Zhang Hao's style of play.

In the bottom line defense just now, others thought Zhang Hao was very good, but Larry Bird saw it very clearly that Zhang Hao relied on his physical condition to make up for the first time to defend Dell Davis and then cut in, and then tried his best to save Antonio Davis, who received the ball on the other side of the three-second zone.

For most centers, even if they are centers with defensive levels like Mooning and Mutombo, this kind of ball will not be so tough. If they block a little, they will dunk on the other side, there is nothing they can do.

But Zhang Hao did this! If Zhang Hao thinks first and hesitates for a while, he will miss the opportunity. However, this unrestrained defensive method allows Zhang Hao to complete the stunning block.

And this three-pointer...

He obviously got so many three-pointers, but he averaged 2.1 three-pointers with a shooting rate of 36.6% to 1.3 three-pointers per game. Zhang Hao still dared to throw this goal!

But when they enter, what can you do to him?

After the back-attack was improved, the team attacked even more, and the wave shots were dared to throw and enter. Larry Bird thought of the Bulls' No. 23... But... what about me the agreed template?

Even though he knew that the other party wanted to force them to replace the main force, Larry Bird had to be led by the other party...
Chapter completed!