One Year Left to Play

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After the official timeout, both sides made adjustments to their lineup and gameplay details.

The Lakers are more precise in utilizing their stars. At this stage, the Lakers focus on isolating Zhang Hao and Kenny Anderson, providing them with a more suitable lineup.

When Zhang Hao is the main attacker, he needs at least one rim-running big man. The Lakers have several options: Barkley, George Lynch, Jason Williams, and Korcy.

A point of second distribution, which Magician, Kenny Anderson, and Brian Shaw can all handle.

On the wings, Doug Christie, James Robinson, and Byron Scott are all options.

Kenny Anderson’s isolation is simpler; just spread the floor, and he can drive and dish.

But the drawback is ensuring offensive strength disrupts the defensive lineup, worsening their already limited defensive capabilities.

However, they have no choice. During the opener against the Knicks, they also thought their defense was strong. In fact, if defending against slow-paced, tactical teams, they are indeed formidable with Zhang Hao, George Lynch, Doug Christie, along with Barkley and Kenny Anderson.

But defending against fast-paced teams is truly challenging.

Therefore, they play to their strengths and minimize their weaknesses!

The Timberwolves capitalize on the opportunity they found, using Garnett in his first and second-year seasons to thoroughly contain Zhang Hao and create inside opportunities. They also deployed the Terry Porter and Marbury double point guard combination. When the Lakers contract to protect the rim, there’s a shooting opportunity outside.

The first half of the first period was essentially probing. From the second half of the first period onwards, the two teams engaged in an intense offensive battle.

Neither team could defend the other, and at that time, some key plays influenced the outcome of the game.

At 2:31 of the second period, Garnett had a steal, and at 2:58 had a block, helping the Timberwolves directly stop two consecutive possessions while the Lakers previously had a missed three-pointer, resulting in three consecutive possessions without scoring. The Timberwolves seized the opportunity for an 8-0 run, tying the score.

Then, over the next few minutes, the Timberwolves capitalized, and by the second period, surpassing 11 minutes, the Timberwolves led the Lakers 68-64, taking a 4-point lead.

But in the last 44 seconds of the half, Zhang Hao cut in to receive the ball against the double team from Guglielota and Garnett, executing a hang-time layup for a 2+1. And with over 4 seconds remaining, he grabbed a defensive rebound from Marbury’s attempted three, directly initiating a fast break, hitting a stoppage-time buzzer-beater three-pointer for a total of 6 points, helping the Lakers enter the third period with a 70-68 lead.

Both teams had a foundation of strength. The Timberwolves’ tonight relied on Garnett’s extra defensive attraction to Zhang Hao, embodying team synergy, where every link of the Timberwolves was part of their foundational strength.

The Lakers’ foundational strength, however, was Kenny Anderson and Zhang Hao’s isolation plays combined with a group of "role players."

The difference, though, was that the Timberwolves could only reach this level, whereas on the Lakers’ side, Kenny Anderson gave his all, and Zhang Hao’s post-ups and cuts were routine strategies. When he contributed even in his less proficient areas, it elevated the current ceiling of the Lakers!

Zhang Hao’s cut through two defenders for a 2+1 before halftime and his transition stop-and-shoot three-pointer elevated the ceiling!

Garnett actually also accomplished some extra feats, such as contributing to the Timberwolves’ momentum with a block and a steal. But he couldn’t bring immediate scoring increases for the Lakers like Zhang Hao did. Even if the defense held, Garnett needed teammates to make their shots.

In addition to differences in play style, there were more detailed aspects—focus and the ability to seize opportunities.

Garnett is also a very focused and capable player in seizing opportunities.

As the second half began, in the third period, both teams alternated leading. The Lakers once extended their lead to 7 points, but the Timberwolves clawed back, and the Timberwolves, with a 32 to 28 score in the third period, ended the third with a 100 to 98 lead over the Lakers.

However, the Timberwolves’ reversal came thanks to Marbury’s consecutive strong three-pointers, showcasing Marbury’s big heart, willing to shoot and able to make them.

Entering the fourth period, the Timberwolves’ focus visibly declined, whereas the Lakers had a player whose stamina recovered to the level at the beginning of the second half and remained more focused throughout than anyone else—Zhang Hao!

Both playing all three previous periods, Garnett, having focused for three quarters, visibly felt the impact of stamina decline at the beginning of the fourth. Routine actions were still well-executed, but opportunities requiring keen attention to subtle details for creation, such as serendipitous steals, were gone!

Zhang Hao, however, maintained his focus throughout. Starting the fourth, he seized an opportunity under the basket, delivering a big block to Guglielota, and during the Timberwolves’ next possession, anticipated Marbury’s passing route, charged ahead, and completed a steal!

Both instances were gambles but also displays of Zhang Hao’s focus. He saw opportunities, and in both cases, the Lakers launched fast breaks, closing the score gap once again.

After regaining the lead, the Lakers couldn’t expand the margin in one swoop, but they also didn’t give the Timberwolves a chance to retake it.

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