The second game of the new season, the Lakers' opponent is the Jazz, predicted to be the strongest team this season!
He Xi Meng's original plan was to continue slacking off. But he didn't expect that the Jazz were not just predicted to be strong, but genuinely strong!
As the game began, the Jazz, with their formidable defense, successfully contained the Lakers' perimeter players.
Kobe, who performed exceptionally well in the previous game, only managed 1 out of 4 shots in the early stages of this game. Eddie Jones fared even worse, going 0 for 4 and scoring no points.
He Xi Meng had been trying various methods to spark the shooting touch of these two players, but the Jazz's defense was very targeted, effectively disrupting Kobe and Eddie Jones, forcing the Lakers' offense in the first half to rely solely on O'Neal's presence in the paint.
To curb the Lakers' outside shooting, the Jazz did not double-team the Lakers' interior offense, instead having Ostertag and Malone take turns defending O'Neal.
With his added weight, O'Neal's dominance in the paint further increased. Facing the Jazz's rotation of defenders, he still played with ease, becoming the pillar of the Lakers' scoring.
At halftime, the Lakers trailed the Jazz by 5 points.
The Jazz had clearly put all their energy into this game, determined to avenge their defeat by the Lakers in last season's Western Conference Finals.
In the third quarter, both teams simultaneously increased their offensive and defensive intensity. The Jazz aimed to deliver a decisive blow, while the Lakers sought to mount a comeback.
Kobe unleashed a scoring spree in the third quarter, even helping the Lakers tie the score at one point. However, before the Lakers could celebrate, Stockton and Malone launched a sharp counterattack, expanding the deficit back to over 5 points. Kobe's efforts were all in vain. By the end of the third quarter, the Lakers trailed the Jazz by 8 points, with the gap widening and the Lakers showing signs of collapse.
Throughout the first three quarters, He Xi Meng had been diligently focusing on passing and controlling the game, aiming to assist his teammates. Unfortunately, today, apart from O'Neal, his other teammates were truly underperforming, leaving He Xi Meng with only 5 assists by this point. His scoring was even worse, with only 7 points. Seven points and five assists – such a performance was certainly below par for He Xi Meng.
Before the start of the fourth quarter, Coach Harris specifically called out He Xi Meng, urging him to increase his offensive output: "Shoot bravely, Simon! We need you to play tougher, to be more aggressive..."
He Xi Meng rolled his eyes internally at Harris: "As if I haven't been playing to my full potential... Although I haven't taken many shots, I've been trying to help my teammates score..."
Although He Xi Meng didn't want to admit it, Harris was convinced that He Xi Meng had not played at full strength. With Kobe and Eddie Jones being contained by the Jazz and unable to find their shooting touch, O'Neal was fighting a lone battle. He Xi Meng had become the Lakers' last trump card for a comeback.
He Xi Meng didn't want to be Harris's trump card, but the situation on the court was such that if He Xi Meng couldn't break through the Jazz's blockade of the Lakers' perimeter, then, unfortunately, the Lakers would likely suffer a loss in their second game of the new season.
Called upon in a critical moment, He Xi Meng had no choice but to step up!
However, on the Jazz's side, Stockton had clearly been anticipating He Xi Meng's potential outburst. Because in last season's Western Conference Finals, He Xi Meng's three-point shooting from beyond the arc had inflicted considerable damage on the Jazz, leaving a lasting impression on Stockton. Therefore, throughout the first three quarters, Stockton had kept a close eye on He Xi Meng. Stockton also believed that He Xi Meng's sluggish performance in the first three quarters was due to his effective defense... Little did he know, the biggest reason for He Xi Meng's lack of scoring was himself!
As a point guard with nearly unlimited shooting range, if he didn't have to consider his teammates' feelings and could shoot without consequence, he would always find opportunities to score, unless facing double or even triple-teamed defense. In single coverage situations, there were always chances.
As it happened, at the start of the fourth quarter, He Xi Meng pretended to direct his teammates' movements, continuing to look for O'Neal in the paint, but in reality, he quietly stepped back, creating a slight distance from Stockton.
Stockton thought He Xi Meng was creating space to find an opening for a drive. In reality, He Xi Meng was waiting for Blount to come up and set a screen. The moment they crossed paths, He Xi Meng pulled up and shot, catching Stockton and Malone off guard.
Indeed, at a critical moment, He Xi Meng's quick-release three-pointer was quite accurate!
This cold shot from behind Blount by He Xi Meng swished through the net, becoming the Lakers' first three-pointer of the game!
With the game already in the fourth quarter, the Lakers making their first three-pointer of the entire game, it was evident how dismal their perimeter performance had been.
Fortunately, the Jazz's outside shooting wasn't great either today, otherwise the Lakers would have been blown out long ago.
After He Xi Meng broke the Lakers' perimeter drought, the Jazz immediately became nervous.
Stockton turned around, attempting to respond with an outside three-pointer, but the ball bounced off the rim.
Kobe fought hard for the rebound and successfully secured the defensive board.
Then, with a wave of his hand, he signaled for He Xi Meng and Eddie Jones to drive in.
The Lakers had many players capable of initiating fast breaks. Besides He Xi Meng, both Kobe and Eddie Jones could control the team as playmakers.
Compared to Eddie Jones, He Xi Meng reacted faster. Before Kobe had even landed with the ball, He Xi Meng had already begun a quiet sprint down the right sideline.
By the time Stockton reacted and began to chase He Xi Meng, He Xi Meng had already crossed half-court.
Seeing He Xi Meng's movement, Kobe didn't hold onto the ball. After a couple of dribbles, he dodged Russell's attempted steal and threw a long pass to He Xi Meng in the frontcourt.
Stockton charged forward, trying to get into defensive position before He Xi Meng reached the three-point line.
But He Xi Meng clearly had no intention of giving Stockton a chance to defend. Upon catching the ball, He Xi Meng immediately abandoned the idea of advancing further and, from an extremely deep position near the right sideline, about a step inside the logo line, he pulled up and shot!
The Lakers fans in attendance initially believed He Xi Meng would challenge the Jazz's basket against Stockton's defense, and the outcome would depend on whether He Xi Meng's offense was sharper or Stockton's defense was more solid.
However, He Xi Meng had no desire to collide with Stockton. From a distance away from Stockton, he launched an uncharacteristically deep three-pointer.
Amidst the confused gazes of the Lakers fans, the ball arced high and headed straight for the basket again!
"Wow!" This time, the Lakers fans in the stands erupted in cheers.
"Incredible shot!"
"Absolutely divine!"
"Is He Xi Meng serious?"
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