O'Neal had an advantage driving inside against Ostertag, but the Jazz wouldn't just stand by and watch O'Neal single-handedly attack Ostertag. Malone was always roaming for help defense, waiting to cause trouble for O'Neal in the paint.
O'Neal didn't dare to back down and post up. After all, being double-teamed by the two muscle men, Ostertag and Malone, was definitely not a pleasant experience. O'Neal's approach was to catch and shoot quickly! Utilizing the time difference, he'd take one dribble, turn directly, and if there was a chance, he'd dunk; if not, he'd shoot a floater. In any case, he wouldn't give Malone time to come over and double-team.
O'Neal's floater touch was quite good today. After a brief lead, the Lakers gradually clawed their way back into the game.
At the end of the first quarter, the score was tied at 20:20.
Coach Sloan made adjustments but kept Malone on the court to anchor the team.
Harris, concerned that Campbell would be overwhelmed by Malone, kept O'Neal on the court to continue the matchup against Malone.
The other four players subbed out: He Ximeng, Kobe, Cory Blount, and Jerome Kersey, entered the game together.
O'Neal had already played most of the quarter and was quite fatigued.
Although the head coach said to play through O'Neal, He Ximeng decided to adapt flexibly.
On the first play after coming in, He Ximeng first tossed the ball to O'Neal, who was diligently boxing out, then he actively ran to the wing and set a screen for Kobe, helping Kobe cut into the paint!
O'Neal thought He Ximeng was cutting in, but he realized it was Kobe in number 8.
However, for O'Neal at this moment, it didn't matter who came in, as long as they didn't waste my assist!
O'Neal shifted his gaze, pretending to look at Cory Blount on the other side, then showily executed a no-look bounce pass... The ball's trajectory was fine, but the power was a bit too much...
The ball bounced very quickly. An ordinary person might not have been able to catch it, leading O'Neal to directly register a turnover.
Fortunately, Kobe was no ordinary player. With a quick acceleration, he managed to retrieve the ball before it went out of bounds. He took a dribble, faked out the lunging defender, and then successfully slammed the ball home with one hand!
O'Neal, who had been looking forward to it, thinking he had made a spectacular pass, turned around and didn't see Kobe's effort to save the ball, but he did see Kobe dribble once and fake. Erasing his assist statistic, his big face immediately fell...
"Hey! High schooler, you should have caught the ball and taken off, stuffing it straight into the basket... Don't just dribble!"
"I..." Kobe pursed his lips helplessly, not refuting his big brother's teaching.
You have the seniority now, you make the calls.
Turning around, Malone, without Stockton's precise passes, wanted to back down O'Neal. After faking out O'Neal, he completed his shot.
As a result, Malone underestimated O'Neal's defensive capabilities a bit, and this shot was successfully blocked by O'Neal!
He Ximeng grabbed the first rebound and immediately launched a fast break!
It was once again Kobe's favorite part to show off his skills. He Ximeng didn't disappoint Kobe either; when he could score, he still left the opportunity for Kobe!
He Ximeng lobbed the ball high above the rim. Kobe followed at full speed, spun a windmill in the air, and dunked the ball with one arm!
If this rhythm continued, Kobe might become "UFO" before he became the Black Mamba...
At the end of the first quarter, He Ximeng had scored zero points, with only 2 assists and 1 steal.
Kobe played quite joyfully, taking the last three shots for the Lakers at the end of the first quarter, making all three dunks and scoring 6 points!
Although Kobe wasn't aiming to become a dunker, the reality was that Kobe was currently developing in the direction of a dunker. He wanted to become a "small blacksmith" but unfortunately couldn't find opportunities for mid-range shots. By the time Kobe received the ball, he basically had space to shoot!
When not forcing the issue and being almost unguarded, would Kobe miss? His skill level wouldn't allow it...
At the beginning of the second quarter, O'Neal went to the bench for a rest. Harris brought in Campbell and Eddie Jones, wanting He Ximeng and Kobe to lead the offense around them.
Honestly, He Ximeng didn't mind cooperating with Eddie Jones. In previous games, Eddie Jones had been his most taciturn perimeter partner.
However, Campbell was another story. Personal relationships were one thing, individual ability was another.
Campbell was a blue-collar big man. His correct role was to play defense and grab rebounds; a tactical core? Forget about it.
He Ximeng selectively followed Coach Harris's instructions, pulling Eddie Jones into his small group with Kobe. The three of them quickly rotated the ball, and when opportunities arose, they took their respective shots. Within nearly three minutes of rotation time, the Lakers, led by their trio of forwards and guards, went on a 15:6 run!
He Ximeng made 2 three-pointers, Kobe made 2 mid-range jumpers, and Eddie Jones made 1 three-pointer and 1 mid-range jumper!
Coach Sloan, looking bewildered, asked his assistant coach, "Are we sure we're not playing against the Lakers' starting lineup?"
After receiving his assistant coach's affirmative reply, Sloan shook his head helplessly. He brought in the starting lineup early. The gap was about to widen to double digits, and if they didn't adjust, the Jazz would be in a very passive position for the rest of the game.
As soon as Stockton entered the game, he immediately orchestrated a beautiful in-out-in play.
Stockton set a screen with Malone at the high post. He Ximeng originally intended to play denial defense to disrupt Malone's screen, but Malone used his bulging biceps and iron elbow to directly strike He Ximeng's face!
Fortunately, He Ximeng was prepared and didn't foolishly confront Malone's iron elbow with his face. Instead, he raised his left arm to buffer the impact.
Even so, the violent impact still made He Ximeng a little dizzy.
Stockton seized the opportunity and drove into the paint.
In the Lakers' paint, Campbell immediately moved to intercept Malone's roll, and Cory Blount rotated from the weak side, preparing to help defend Stockton's drive to the basket.
Seeing this, Stockton immediately passed the ball to Hornacek, who was receiving on the wing.
He Ximeng rotated to defend Hornacek, not daring to give him an open shot.
Hornacek faked, trying to get He Ximeng off his feet.
But He Ximeng didn't fall for the bait and jump. Hornacek didn't mind and made a bounce pass to Malone, who was posting up and reaching for the ball under the basket!
Malone caught the ball, turned around, backed down Campbell, and scored off the glass!
The Jazz duo's coordination made it difficult for the Lakers' rotation lineup to defend. Coupled with the interference of the "dead light gun," the entire defensive line was repeatedly torn apart, making it impossible to defend...