Doug Christie was more resolute this time, continuing with the pick-and-roll!
Zhang Hao really wasn't adept at being a Pick-and-Roll Executor, but he could learn! He wasn't prepared the last round, but this time he was. After setting the screen for Doug Christie against Stockton, Zhang Hao imitated Malone by running the weak side route, moving quickly.
If Zhang Hao hesitated, stayed in place waiting for a pass to coordinate the play, or ran along the better path in the middle for a catch opportunity… These were the options Stockton thought a player like Zhang Hao, who didn't have much professional game experience and was not yet 19 years old, would choose. But Zhang Hao didn't do that. Stockton could only pull away following Zhang Hao's lead.
David Benoit was wary of Doug Christie's pick-and-roll fadeaway, pressing in closely, only to be bypassed with a crossover by Doug Christie who then charged into the paint, facing Malone's fierce block!
