Bickerstaff: "Defend as you should, but no, defend more strictly than before, with more aggression."
Jordan, taken aback: "What about the risk of fouls?"
Bickerstaff: "When the Pistons defended against you, did they all get ejected?"
These words brought Jordan back to a player’s mindset... Right, just do it!
Bickerstaff: "If we really lose tonight because of the whistle, God of Basketball, it will be up to you later..."
Jordan: "No! Even if we win, I’ll still bash them!"
On the Knight’s side, Mike Brown also made personnel adjustments, subbing in Damon Jones and Ronald Murray, both good shooting guards.
On the court, the Knight’s most stable free-throw shooter, Big Z, took the technical free throw... and missed!
The abuse from the fans behind the baseline was too harsh. It affected Big Z’s shooting, showing he still needed to improve his mental toughness, not yet accustomed to such treatment.
James stepped up to the free-throw line, and out of his two shots, made only one. He was purely still shaken from the clash with Perkins.
The score reached 8-6, the Knights leading by two points!
It was time for the Bobcats to attack.
Zhang Yang took the inbound pass and pushed it to the frontcourt, James guarding him at the top of the arc.
The Knight’s players saw Perkins being downed early by their leader and sensed an opportunity was coming, defending with focused intensity.
Zhang Yang, noticing the opponents’ positioning, stealthily signaled to the left, then dribbled to the right and broke through... a fake drive and a real pass!
Zhang Yang tossed the ball to Felton, who was running to the left of the top arc; Felton blew past Damon Jones and drove into the paint.
The Knight’s interior and wing players were all focused on Zhang Yang’s side. Felton rushed to the left side of the three-second area and threw up a shot... and it went in!
8-8, the Bobcats tied up the game!
The Knight’s turned to offense, but the Bobcats’ defense wasn’t as timid as James thought, fearing fouls; instead, it was rougher.
Zhang Yang and Gerald Wallace engaged in fierce body battles with Damon Jones and Ronald Murray on the outside.
Zhang Yang’s physicality wasn’t great, but compared to Damon Jones’ slightly built frame of 190cm and 80kg, Zhang Yang’s aggressive play caused him immense trouble.
It was even worse for Ronald Murray, as Gerald Wallace could hold his ground even against power forwards.
Worry about committing fouls? Not at all! The young and fiery Bobcats, since the head coach hadn’t instructed them to lessen the physical play, went all out!
James drove into the paint... and into a trap set by Felton, Brezec, and Okafor.
Two big men raised their arms around him, James couldn’t see anything, Felton was still reaching in to swipe the ball. James had no choice but to fiercely force his way through the two... but the referee didn’t blow the whistle!
James exerted too much force, and his toss flew over the hoop.
Brezec turned and grabbed the rebound before Big Z could get to it, passed it to Zhang Yang, who was pulling back on the wing, and Zhang Yang launched a counterattack!
Zhang Yang drove to the frontcourt, drew the defense to him, and then passed the ball to Gerald Wallace who dashed into the paint for a layup that went in.
10-8, the Bobcats made back-to-back shots after two fouls, securing a two-point lead!
When the Knights were back on offense, James drove to the basket drawing a foul from Brezec and this time, James made both free throws, evening up the score again.
Turning back, Zhang Yang managed to get past James, stopped on a dime at the right side of the free-throw line, and pulled up for a jumper...
With the Knights defense shifted due to consecutive baskets by Felton and Gerald Wallace, Gooden moved closer to the baseline. Seizing the opportunity, Zhang Yang made the shot!
T.N.T sports commentary box, Barkley grabbed the microphone and shouted, "Blow the whistle all you want! No matter how many free throws James gets, Jack will keep sinking them!"