Two days later, on May 1st, the Lakers came to the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, to face the Thunder Team for a crucial battle.
After three games with the new offensive style and in the cut-throat playoffs, the long games were intense, and the newfound synergy between Zhang Yang, Gasol, and Nash—the core trio—had markedly improved.
Tonight, they came with very strong confidence, hoping to win two straight games to get to match point and maybe even win three in a row to pull off a major upset... but tonight Nash and Gasol played listlessly.
Though they had played well over the past three games, they were also exhausted!
When Artest, Blake, and Duhon were the shooting options, and Earl Clark and Jordan Hill were the cutting options, Gasol, as the playmaking core, was truly worn out.
The bench only had Jamison to rely on, with no other useful young teammates at hand; Nash too was worn out on offense.
Zhang Yang was forced to increase his output tonight, shooting 31 times, making 14 of 31, including 2 of 6 three-pointers, plus 5 of 6 free throws, scoring a game-high 35 points.
Besides him, the best performing Lakers player was... Jamison, making 6 of 12 shots, including 1 of 1 on three-pointers, plus 2 of 2 free throws, for 15 points.
This game marked the first time in the playoffs that the Lakers scored under 100 points, losing 94 to 112 to the Thunder Team, losing the pivotal battle!
One day later, on May 3rd, the Lakers returned home to face the match point game against the Thunder Team.
Tonight, the Lakers started off well, but as the game went on, the issue of age became evident again...
With 10 minutes and 08 seconds left in the final quarter, Zhang Yang, facing Durant and Ibaka’s double-team in the elbow area, missed his shot, Perkins secured the defensive rebound, and the Thunder Team called a timeout, bringing in a purely defensive lineup, whilst the Lakers benched Zhang Yang.
At this point, the score had reached 95 to 112, a 17-point deficit in less than two minutes; it was hopeless.
When Zhang Yang’s risky shots were going in, there was still something to hope for, but after two consecutive misses... he had already... drawn level with Kobe. Bickerstaff had no choice but to concede.
Tonight, Zhang Yang attempted 36 shots, achieving a not-too-bad shooting percentage of 44.4%, but with 16 of 36 shots made... welcome Jack to the ’Kobe Club,’ earning the ’achievement’ of 20 misses in a playoff game!
Playing 46 minutes, making 16 of 36 shots, including 1 of 5 three-pointers, and 4 of 5 free throws, Zhang Yang scored 37 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, dished out 3 assists, and had 2 steals.
To say Zhang Yang played poorly this game... his teammates as a whole even had a lower field goal percentage than him, but to say he played well would be disingenuous.
With the experience of Game 5, the Thunder Team concentrated their defense on Zhang Yang tonight, though they couldn’t prevent him from shooting, they successfully lowered his shooting percentage.
However, even though Zhang Yang had his least efficient performance in six games, the Lakers fans at the venue truly accepted him!
When the team was in dire straits, Zhang Yang didn’t sink with the others but took the ball and swung wildly! He was too reminiscent of that obtrusive man in a suit at courtside!
To call that man obtrusive, actually, upon seeing him, there was the expectation for him to play, but he couldn’t, otherwise it could lead to a situation like with Roy... Whenever people see that man, his fans feel he’s an eyesore.
At 11:24 p.m., the final whistle blew, and the score was set at 100 to 114. The Lakers lost by a 14-point margin to the Thunder Team, 2-4, and were knocked out!
Hearing the final whistle, recalling this series, Zhang Yang had a thought bubble up—karma!
Their Bobcats team, with the advantage of youth, had worn out the immortals and Duncan; was it now time for Gasol and Nash to be worn down by the young and vigorous Thunder Team?
Bookworm Durant, Second Akon, Second Card Ibaka, I’ll remember this grudge, Zhang San. Next time, I hope to encounter you again... eh? Why don’t I feel sleepy?
No! You damn portal, when you win, you ’teleport’ away in a minute, but when you lose, you make me stay and take the blame, right?
16,000 words, last day for monthly tickets!