Chapter 907 276: Spear and Shield

However, the task description is simple, but the task difficulty...

The subtitles listed the games this season where the Heat allowed more than 100 points.

Not even a handful of fingers!

The Heat have played 56 games so far and only in 4 games did they allow more than 100 points!

The Bulls beat the Heat once 101-95, the SuperSonics beat the Heat once 100-96, the Magic beat the Heat once 101-91, and the Hornets beat the Heat once 103-98.

Other than that, none! The Heat have kept their opponents under 100 points 52 times this season!

Currently, the Heat average less than 89 points allowed per game, with an average of 88.7 points, only the Cavaliers, with an average of 86.1 points allowed, have a lower average than the Heat!

But unlike the Cavaliers, who only score 87 points per game, the Heat average 95.1 points per game.

Averaging 95.1 points and still winning by over 6 points, this defense is stunning!

After Zhang Hao finished reading the task description and relevant data, another task prompt popped up.

It was about the previously triggered "King of Cross Step" medal task.

"Enemy of 183:

Goal 1: Zhang Hao must complete at least one cross-step direction change and score in each quarter of the game.

Goal 2: Zhang Hao must block Tim Hardaway's cross-step direction change at least once.

Goal 3: Zhang Hao must help the team win the game to avoid being swept by the Heat in the regular season.

Reward: Designated Skill (King of Cross Step) Upgrade Card."

...

Taking a deep breath, calming his mood, Zhang Hao rejoined the game, focusing first on winning.

Soon, the pre-game preparation time ended, and at 5:58 PM, the starting players of both teams took the court.

The Heat fielded a starting lineup of Tim Hardaway, Sasha Danilovic, Marion, PJ Brown, and Moning.

For the Lakers, with O'Neal back, Ben Wallace naturally returned to the bench, with Fisher and Barkley also on the bench, Silver Fox fielded a starting lineup of James Robinson, Doug Christie, Dominique Wilkins, O'Neal, and Zhang Hao.

Both the Heat coach, Divine Calculator, and the Lakers coach, Silver Fox, were surprised by each other's starting lineup—truly worthy opponents with nicknames, predicting each other's predictions!

Both sides sent out lineups with better offense!

It's not as if the Heat is entirely based on individual scoring, they have one or two lineups capable of tactical coordination, just not used often, but they did this year.

But Divine Calculator expected the Lakers to send out a purely defensive starting lineup, restricting their offense, allowing the Heat to launch an offensive wave first.

Silver Fox's idea was straightforward—O'Neal just returned, so field a space-oriented lineup, start with offense, and deal with defense after the opposition raises their confrontation.

The players were eager to defeat the Heat, and so was Silver Fox.

During pre-game preparation, Silver Fox emphasized "must win," but in games, there are winners and losers, the other side definitely wants to win too, and one side will lose. It's just a regular game, make ample preparations, but as a coach, be ready to accept a loss, yet exude a must-win attitude.

Zhang Hao came onto the court, but he didn't go for the jump ball, as Silver Fox was playful tonight and listed Mr. Zhang in the starting lineup as the center.

This, he endured, a little playful is fine, just not too often.

Despite O'Neal and Moning's camaraderie before the game, they were competing fiercely on the court. Originally Silver Fox wanted Zhang Hao to go for the jump ball, as neither O'Neal nor Moning was guaranteed to win it; with O'Neal just returning, Silver Fox hoped O'Neal would play more steadily.

But O'Neal insisted! He wanted to take the jump ball!

With the national broadcast already started, at 6 PM, the referee blew the whistle to start the game and tossed the ball into the air...

The top two centers from the 1992 draft class jumped at the same time, Moning was slightly quicker in the jump, but O'Neal, being larger, got to the ball first, Lakers' ball on offense!

Doug Christie received the ball and quickly passed to the fast-breaking Zhang Hao.

This pass wasn't like those from Kenny Anderson or the Magician with foresight, it was a simple long pass. After Zhang Hao caught the ball, he was trapped by former teammates PJ Brown and Marion, holding the ball up to avoid a steal.

After landing, O'Neal immediately dashed towards the opposite basket, Moning held him off aggressively, slowing down O'Neal's cut, Zhang Hao still threw the ball towards the hoop... Wilkins cut in and slammed it down with one hand for two points!

Even at 37, with a history of an Achilles injury, you could still see the shadow of that historically violent small forward.

The Heat's front three were held by Zhang Hao and O'Neal, while Tim Hardaway on the wing stood no chance against Wilkins' strong physique. With Wilkins charging full speed, jumping high, the Lakers took the first attack.

The Heat players weren't surprised, losing the jump ball meant having to stop the fast break of O'Neal and Zhang Hao, allowing any Lakers player with the awareness to have a chance at the basket, given they had the awareness and power.

The quick start on fast breaks has been a cheating move for the Lakers, which opponents are no longer frustrated with, much like the Bulls with Jordan, frustration won't help.

Offense to defense transition, Heat's turn on offense.

Tim Hardaway pushed the pace to the frontcourt, spotting Zhang Hao at the top arc... a bit excited!