Chapter 98

The second quarter started quickly. The Nets replaced Chris Humphries with Derrick Favors and Joahnn Petro with Brook Lopez. On the Pistons’ side, Zhou Yi replaced Ben Gordon, and the Pistons played a smaller lineup, trying to use speed to disrupt the Nets’ defense. It was the Nets’ turn to possess the ball, with Jordan Farmar organizing their offense. Jordan Farmar drove with the ball, with Zhou Yi closely guarding him. He tried to change direction to get away from Zhou Yi but failed. So, Jordan Farmar passed the ball to Terrence Williams, who shot immediately but missed, and Zhou Yi grabbed the rebound. Now, Zhou Yi’s speed was far beyond what Jordan Farmar could match; it took great effort for Jordan Farmar to break free from his defense. Zhou Yi took a jump shot, and the ball hit the rim and bounced out. After picking up the loose ball, he quickly passed it to Andre Iguodala on the perimeter. Andre Iguodala hit a jump shot from above against Sasha Vujacic’s defense. John Kuester was very excited; it seemed like he could see the Pistons making it to the playoffs and then advancing all the way to win the championship. The Nets attacked, and Sasha Vujacic tried a three-pointer from beyond the three-point line and actually made it. Zhou Yi shrugged in frustration—this was too unreliable. The Pistons’ offense failed, and Derrick Favors grabbed the defensive rebound. Zhou Yi tried to steal the ball from Jordan Farmar but was called for a fighting foul by the referee. Sasha Vujacic tried to score another three-pointer, but this time it ended in a miss. Derrick Favors grabbed the offensive rebound, attempted a free throw that missed, tried another, and Taylor Hansbrough was called for a defensive foul. Derrick Favors took the free throws and made both. Zhou Yi controlled the ball and organized the offense. After half a quarter, he passed the ball to his new teammate Andre Iguodala, who was in excellent form, and Iguodala hit a backspin jump shot. Since Andre Iguodala came on, he had made all eight of his shots—what great form! “Iguodala’s form is really outstanding!” Zhou Yi murmured to himself. Jordan Farmar held the ball and passed it to Brook Lopez, but it was stolen by Andre Iguodala, who then passed the ball to Zhou Yi to organize the offense. Zhou Yi calmly drove the ball forward and, after half a quarter, passed it to Will Bynum.

Will Bynum has taken just three shots so far, hitting two of them. Will Bynum tossed the ball skillfully to Spencer Hawes, the seven-foot center who also just joined the Pistons, who pushed past Brook Lopez to attempt a layup but missed. Taylor Hansbrough secured an offensive rebound and passed it to Zhou Yi on the perimeter. Zhou Yi shot from beyond the three-point line; with a swish, he pumped his fist in excitement. “Finally!” Jordan Farmar drove to the basket and shot a jump shot, which also went through net with a swish. Zhou Yi shook his head helplessly. After taking the ball from Taylor Hansbrough at the baseline, he drove fast and passed it to Will Bynum on the perimeter. Will Bynum attempted a three-point jump shot but missed. Andre Iguodala grabbed an offensive rebound and then passed it to Will Bynum again. He adjusted and tried another three-point shot, but it missed as well, while Terrence Williams secured a defensive rebound. Jordan Farmar and Terrence Williams coordinated perfectly—after Brook Lopez’s missed shot, Jordan Farmar grabbed an offensive rebound, retreated to the perimeter, and threw the ball toward the basket, allowing Terrence Williams to dunk. Seeing Andre Iguodala coming to catch the ball, Zhou Yi decisively passed it to him. Right now, Andre Iguodala is the Pistons’ best shooter. Living up to expectations, he managed to score again despite being defended by opponents. Andre Iguodala had already hit nine shots in a row without conceding a single point, amassing 19 points. Jordan Farmar organized the offense, but at that moment the referee’s whistle blew, signaling the second half’s official timeout at 8:43. Players from both teams returned to their benches, and Zhou Yi and his teammates sat down at their positions, chatting and laughing. John Kuester approached the players and said with a smile, “Guys, you’ve played well, but we can improve our defense even more. Our offense has been great; if we raise our defensive intensity, we’ll win easily. Well, that’s all I have to say. Let’s go!” Everyone nodded and replied in unison, “Understood.” Soon, the timeout ended, and players from both sides returned to the court. Zhou Yi of the Pistons was replaced by James Posey, while Ben Gordon replaced Andre Iguodala.

For the Nets, Terrence Williams was replaced by Anthony Morrow, Sasha Vujacic by Stephen Graham, and Jordan Farmar by Devin Harris.
It was Devin Harris who took control of the offense for the Nets.
After driving past half-court, Devin Harris passed the ball to Derrick Favors.
Under pressure from Tyler Hansbrough, Derrick Favors failed to catch the ball; Tyler Hansbrough snatched it and quickly passed it to Will Bynum, who then passed it to Ben Gordon.
Tyler Hansbrough rushed over to provide a screen for Ben Gordon, who pulled defenders to one side. With Stephen Graham covering Ben Gordon, James Posey was left open.
Ben Gordon quickly passed the ball to James Posey, who scored with a jump shot.
Devin Harris drove to the basket and made a clever pass to Brook Lopez, but his jump shot missed, and Derrick Favors scored a free throw.
Will Bynum organized the team’s offense; with Tracy McGrady and Zhou Yi both off the court, the responsibility of leading the offense fell entirely on Will Bynum, increasing his pressure significantly.
Fortunately, the team’s offensive firepower remained strong, so the Pistons still held a double-digit lead.
Neither team was shooting very well during this period, especially the Nets, who were unable to respond to the Pistons’ increased defensive intensity.
In no time, 4 minutes remained in the second quarter. Will Bynum controlled the ball, drove past Devin Harris’s defense, and tried to drive to the paint from the side, but his shot missed. James Posey secured the offensive rebound and scored a free throw, also drawing a defensive foul on Brook Lopez.
When James Posey stepped to the free-throw line, the crowd erupted in furious boos.
To be honest, James Posey had excellent composure and focus—after all, he was a veteran with many years of NBA experience and strong mental strength. Ignoring the loud boos from the fans, he made both free throws.
With 3 minutes and 23 seconds left in the first half, both teams substituted in their starters.

A substitution was made. The current lineups are as follows: Pistons – Ben Wallace, Greg Monroe, Tracy McGrady, Andre Iguodala, and Zhou Yi; Nets – Brook Lopez, Derrick Favors, Stephen Graham, Anthony Morrow, and Devon Harris.
The Pistons’ current lineup is arguably their strongest, with all four players aside from Ben Wallace having strong scoring abilities, though Wallace’s offensive skills are relatively weak.
After the timeout, Devon Harris scored 5 points through free throws and shots, adding 2 assists. The Pistons managed only 3 points from McGrady’s three-pointer, allowing the Nets, led by Devon Harris, to take a 9-3 run and narrow the score to just 10 points behind.
However, the Pistons immediately launched a fierce counterattack, acting as if the Air Canada Center was their own court. Despite the constant boos from the home crowd, the Pistons remained unaffected. Under Zhou Yi’s leadership, they executed efficient attacks, widening the score gap to over 15 points within 3 minutes.
Devon Harris and Anthony Morrow each attempted a three-pointer but missed, giving the Pistons another opportunity to increase the lead to 20 points. Andre Iguodala, relying on his physical strength, pushed past Anthony Morrow to score inside, while Zhou Yi also scored after grabbing a defensive rebound during the Nets’ failed attack.
With Anthony Morrow’s missed shot, the first half ended with the Pistons leading 75-53, a 23-point advantage. Scoring 75 points in just half a game shows how much stronger the Pistons’ offense has become after the trades.
Chapter 278: Easy Victory Over the Nets
The standout player in the first half was undoubtedly the Pistons’ Andre Iguodala. Playing just 14 minutes, he hit 11 out of 12 shots, including 10 out of 10 in the first ten attempts, scoring 25 points along with 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. That’s an incredible efficiency for just half a game.
His streak of 10 consecutive hits also broke the Pistons’ team record of 8 out of 8 shots. Having joined the team not long ago, he already set a new record, and his performance greatly surprised the Pistons’ management.

Other Pistons players: Zhou Yi wasn’t in great form in the first half, so he hardly took any shots, focusing instead on creating opportunities for his teammates. He made 3 out of 7 attempts from the field and 2 out of 2 free throws, scoring 9 points, along with 9 assists and 2 steals. McGrady scored 11 points in the first half; James Posey scored 8 points; Ben Gordon scored 8 points.

The halftime break ended quickly, and the third quarter started promptly. Although the Pistons were already up by 22 points, they didn’t slack off. Instead, they started the third quarter with their starting lineup, aiming to turn the entire fourth quarter into garbage time so that younger players could get experience. However, despite using their starters, the Nets seemed to suddenly explode, catching the Pistons off guard. Perhaps “Little General” Avery Johnson’s halftime speech had worked—Anthony Morrow and Travis Outlaw started shooting threes from outside the Pistons’ three-point line right at the beginning of the third quarter. In less than a minute, the two combined to hit three threes, instantly narrowing the score gap to just 15 points behind the Pistons.

After the half, Zhou Yi launched a lightning-fast attack, quickly breaking free from Devin Harris’s defense and scoring a layup to help the Pistons stabilize their position. Devin Harris used his speed to leave Zhou Yi behind, then stopped abruptly and took a jump shot. He timed it well and hit it with great ease; it seemed certain to go in, but the ball bounced around the rim before falling out. Ben Wallace tightly guarded Brook Lopez, while Greg Monroe grabbed the defensive rebound.

Zhou Yi drove with the ball, then swiftly passed it to Greg Monroe behind Brook Lopez with a side-step pass. After catching the ball, Monroe immediately jumped up and scored a one-handed dunk, helping the Pistons widen the lead to 19 points. Zhou Yi guarded Devin Harris closely, stole the ball when he wasn’t looking, then picked it up and dashed forward. Even though there was no defender in the paint, Zhou Yi didn’t go for glory but passed the ball to McGrady, who was following up. McGrady caught the ball, jumped up, and scored a dunk.

Devin Harris took a deep breath, trying to suppress his frustration. Zhou Yi had already made him suffer enough earlier, and now he had been humiliated by another steal from him.

Devin Harris drove with the ball, scanning the court with a grim expression. Brook Lopez stepped up to provide a screen for him, who then cut to the basket from the other side and easily scored with a layup.
Zhou Yi shook his head helplessly, sighing softly to McGrady with a wry smile, “Why isn’t anyone covering him?”
McGrady was equally helpless; he had just been blocked by Anthony Morrow behind him and had no chance to come over for help, nor did any of his teammates.
Zhou Yi passed the ball to McGrady, who broke through before suddenly turning and shooting a backdoor jumper—hit!
On the Nets’ side, Devin Harris forced his way past Zhou Yi and scored another point with help from his teammate’s screen.
After receiving a pass from Greg Monroe at the baseline, Zhou Yi began organizing the team’s offense. Andre Iguodala stepped up to screen, and Zhou Yi scored another point by forcing his way inside.
Devin Harris controlled the ball, glanced at the 24-second timer, then passed it to Anthony Morrow, who was cutting to an open spot. Anthony Morrow shot without hesitation, but missed. Chris Humphries secured the offensive rebound and promptly passed it to Devin Harris on the perimeter.
Devin Harris broke through from the wing, glanced around, snapped his wrist, and quickly passed the ball to Stephen Graham, who was cutting from the middle. Graham broke through and scored a layup right away.
Zhou Yi held the ball as Devin Harris stuck close to him, constantly harassing him and trying to steal the ball. Zhou Yi took the opportunity to spin past him, break free from Devin Harris’s defense, and charge straight to the basket. After drawing the attention of two other defenders, he quickly passed the ball to Andre Iguodala beyond the three-point line. Iguodala adjusted slightly before shooting a three-pointer.
With a swish, Andre Iguodala’s three-pointer went in.
After receiving a pass from Chris Humphries at the baseline, Devin Harris took a deep breath, suppressed his frustration, and focused on organizing the team’s offense.
Devin Harris steadily controlled the ball and, seeing Brook Lopez reaching for it inside, quickly passed it to him. Brook Lopez acted decisively—immediately turning and shooting a hook shot. With another swish, the ball went through the net, lifting the entire Nets team.

Zhou Yi drove past the half-court line and quickly passed the ball to McGrady. After catching it, McGrady broke through from the baseline. Andre Iguodala’s screen was extremely clever, allowing McGrady to easily make his way to the basket. However, Brook Lopez was already on high alert. Yet McGrady showed no sign of fear and continued to charge forward. Brook Lopez quickly jumped up trying to block McGrady’s shot. But instead of shooting, McGrady passed the ball to Ben Wallace behind him. Ben Wallace roared and scored with a one-handed dunk.

New Jersey’s Anthony Morrow quickly responded to Ben Wallace’s dunk with a three-point shot.

Zhou Yi orchestrated the offense, passing the ball to McGrady, who was located 45 degrees outside the left-wing three-point line. McGrady pretended to shoot, and Morrow quickly jumped up to block it. McGrady smiled, dodged Anthony Morrow’s body, and then took a three-point shot, adding another 3 points.

When Zhou Yi retreated to defend, he gave McGrady a firm pat on the back. Under the leadership of both Zhou Yi and McGrady, the Pistons once again took a 20-point lead.

Devin Harris adjusted his mindset and patiently organized the Nets’ offense. Andre Iguodala defended Devin Harris out of position, trying to steal the ball. Devin Harris seized this opportunity, spun past Iguodala, and rushed into the Pistons’ paint, easily scoring a layup. At the same time, it also resulted in a defensive foul on Ben Wallace, earning them a free throw.

John Kuester quickly made adjustments to the team lineup while Devin Harris was taking the free throw. Tyler Hansbrough replaced Ben Wallace, and the Nets made another substitution as Derrick Favors came in for Chris Humphries.

Devin Harris made his free throw. Tyler Hansbrough inbounded the ball, and Zhou Yi took it and organized the team’s offense. Zhou Yi made a clever pass to Andre Iguodala, but the latter’s shooting accuracy was clearly lower in the second half, with his shot ending up as a miss. Still, Tyler Hansbrough grabbed an offensive rebound and scored a putback.

Jordan Farmar replaced Devin Harris, and McGrady was substituted out by Ben Gordon. Jordan Farmar passed the ball to Brook Lopez, who drove to the basket against Tyler Hansbrough. The ball went in, and the referee’s whistle blew for a free throw. Brook Lopez missed the free throw, and Greg Monroe grabbed a defensive rebound and passed it to Zhou Yi.

McGrady had also been taken off the court to rest, with Ben Gordon stepping in to replace him.

Zhou Yi moved outside the opponent’s three-point line, with Jordan Farmar coming to defend him. Zhou Yi broke through, suddenly changed direction to shake off his defender, and scored a nice layup.
Jordan Farmar continued to orchestrate the offense. After halftime, he quickly passed the ball to Stephen Graham, who then broke through and passed it to Brook Lopez in the paint. Brook Lopez didn’t waste the opportunity and scored again with a powerful drive.
Zhou Yi broke through and passed the ball to the outside, where Andre Iguodala caught it and shot a three-pointer. With a swish, the ball went in.
Jordan Farmar tossed the ball to Brook Lopez, who was behind Tyler Hansbrough; Brook immediately turned and threw down a layup, scoring again.
After Andre Iguodala set a screen for Zhou Yi, the latter drove to the baseline, broke through, and scored a layup, adding 2 more points for the Pistons.
The Nets failed to score on their offense, and Zhou Yi secured the defensive rebound.
The Pistons were firing on all cylinders. Ben Gordon received a pass from Zhou Yi and, with Iguodala’s screen, scored a jump shot near the free-throw line.
Jordan Farmar drove into the opponent’s paint, slipped, and collided with Ben Gordon. The referee mercilessly called a foul on Jordan Farmar for offensive contact.
Zhou Yi held the ball and calmly moved toward the opponent’s half.
Now, the Pistons led by 25 points, so they played patiently, aiming to widen the gap to over 30 points in the third quarter and turn the entire fourth quarter into garbage time.
Zhou Yi passed to Ben Gordon, who drove with the ball and then passed it to Andre Iguodala. Iguodala broke through and passed to Tyler Hansbrough, who easily scored 2 points.
John Kuester nodded in satisfaction. The team’s offense was very organized and efficient now.
“It seems this trade really has made a big difference for the team!! But the Nets are a weak team. To truly test the effects of the trade, we still need a few games, matches against stronger teams,” John Kuester thought to himself.
Jordan Farmar held the ball and passed it to Stephen Graham. Graham broke through at a 45-degree angle, passed by Ben Gordon, and tried to layup, but missed. Derrick Favors secured the offensive rebound and scored a layup himself.
The Pistons missed this offensive attempt, and the Nets defended the defensive rebound.

Jordan Farmar passes, Zhou Yi leaps to steal the ball and passes it to Andre Iguodala, who dashes like lightning toward the opponent’s basket. Andre Iguodala delivers a stunning two-handed dunk, drawing cheers from the Pistons’ bench. On the Nets’ side, Jordan Farmar assists Anthony Morrow, who hits a jump shot at the free-throw line. Ben Gordon’s jump shot misses, Brook Lopez grabs a rebound in the backcourt and passes it to Jordan Farmar, who provides another assist this time to Stephen Graham. Stephen Graham catches the pass from Jordan Farmar and scores a layup.