CHAPTER 1247: CHAPTER 507: NOT ALLOWED TO SHOOT? I’LL SHOOT ANYWAY!

Seeing Kobe and Ariza simultaneously shaking their heads, the Zen Master, who initially hoped the players would self-regulate, called a timeout.

The situation was too devastating, making him feel like an old ironsmith who couldn’t take it anymore. The two needed time to calm down, and it coincided with the official timeout.

However, with Zhang Yang’s dunk and the score tied, calling a timeout now would definitely affect morale, and there’s also that guy...

After the timeout, both teams made personnel adjustments. Carlisle put Hill and Perkins in, along with Felton, Zhang Yang, and Okafor, fielding the strongest lineup; the Zen Master also sent Kidd and Kwame Brown, along with Kobe, Ariza, and Garnett, returning the starting lineup.

Lakers on the offense, sideline inbounding.

Even though the Zen Master emphasized the need for stability, as he expected, Kobe immediately called for the ball to attack!

He could have forced Kobe to initiate the offense from the low post, but he didn’t. If that’s the case, where’s the fun in coaching players like Jordan or Kobe?

Having such players is precisely for those miraculous shots, isn’t it?

However, miracles always come with huge risks, and this time Kobe couldn’t make a miraculous shot. He got past Hill, avoided Zhang Yang who was covering from mid-range, drove into the paint with Okafor stepping in for help defense and went for a layup... only to be swatted down by Perkins!

Failed one-on-four attempt!

Zhang Yang knew exactly what Kobe would do in moments like this — definitely attack to the end. He had already told his teammates during the timeout that if Kobe called for the ball to go one-on-one, just double-team him relentlessly.

Zhang Yang’s flashy dunk paused the Lakers, reigniting the Bobcats’ morale. Perkins’ block took their spirit to the peak!

Switching to defense and then fast break, the Bobcats couldn’t execute it. Zhang Yang didn’t panic, steadied the pace, and lobbed the ball to Okafor who was taking position close to Garnett.

Okafor caught the ball, spun to the baseline, drove in, high throw off the glass... scored! And drew a foul from Kwame Brown who was helping on defense!

Time Warner Cable Sports commentator Hubie Brown exclaimed, "So solid! Okafor reminds me of Duncan. Garnett just can’t defend against players like Duncan."

Bill Walton analyzed from the one-on-one perspective, "It’s not just about the style. Okafor timed his spin perfectly. As soon as Kwame Brown followed Perkins out of the three-second area, Okafor spun and cut in..."

It’s Lakers’ turn to attack again. After being blocked and conceding a 2+1, Kobe finally calmed down a bit. He continued to drive, but this time, as Zhang Yang came to help, he passed the ball to Ariza. Although Ariza’s wide-open three-point form looked good, it was way off!

Switching to defense and then offense, Okafor continued to take the ball close to Garnett. Kwame Brown preemptively retracted in, Zhang Yang seized the opportunity on the right sideline to cut along the baseline, Perkins blocked Kobe, and Kidd at the free-throw line hurried to help. However, Okafor didn’t pass to Zhang Yang but instead raised the ball single-handedly and threw it over Garnett’s head to the top of the arc!

Felton caught the ball just inside the top arc, stepped back and launched a three... scored!

While transitioning back to defense, even Okafor’s poker face was now filled with smiles, patting Zhang Yang on the back.

This play wasn’t just his instinct but was informed by Zhang Yang when he grabbed the defensive rebound and passed it to Felton. He told him if Kwame Brown doubled, to find Felton at the top arc!

Zhang Yang’s face said ’I’m just that good,’ but inside he felt a bit anxious. He admitted there was an element of gamble... No, he trusted Kidd’s defensive abilities. As long as Kwame Brown retracted early, and Perkins seemed to block Kobe for him, Kidd wouldn’t allow the interior pass between him and Okafor, giving Okafor and Felton a connecting opportunity.

If it failed... he hadn’t thought it through that much. Tactics at times fail, but they pulled it off, didn’t they!

With Okafor making the additional free throw, the score moved to 94 to 89. After being outscored 8 to 3 by the Lakers, the Bobcats returned the favor with a 9 to 0 run!

With a 5-point lead, the Lakers, already suppressed morale-wise, played even more impatiently.

The Bobcats, with a soaring momentum, played increasingly steadily, executing ordinary and spontaneuous adjustments with growing confidence.

In the following possessions, the Lakers relied on Kobe to hit a wild three, Kidd got a difficult lob to Garnett, drawing a foul for two free throws scoring 5 points, while the Bobcats steadily added 9 points.

The score moved to 103 to 94, with the Bobcats extending their lead to 9 points!

After the Zen Master called a timeout, Kidd connected with Garnett, passing to the substituted Fisher replacing Ariza. In a critical moment, the veteran made a corner three. The Lakers cut the score to 97 to 103, with 1 minute and 08 seconds remaining, a 6-point gap. There was still a chance for the Lakers.

But just as the Lakers prepared for their final push, Zhang Yang used a Hill screen at the top arc, shooting a contested three over Kidd and nailed it!

Kobe saw Zhang Yang using the screen and knew he would shoot. They were both the Iron Kings, knowing each other’s moves inside out. He immediately tried to circle to the top, but was too late. Zhang Yang’s lateral movement, pull-up, and rhythm off the screen were too crisp!

Learning pick-and-roll shot from Nash, Zhang Yang hadn’t used it much, but he practiced it a lot!

After making a three at the start of the quarter, Zhang Yang missed his last three attempts, but in the crucial moment, he didn’t falter, sinking his sixth three-pointer of the game!