Kobe performed well in the first quarter, and O'Neal played brilliantly in the second. Both players scored 17 points in the first half, totaling 34 points, which accounted for two-thirds of the Lakers' entire team score.
He Xi Meng scored 15 points in the first quarter and 11 points in the second, totaling 26 points in the two quarters! In addition, He Xi Meng also dished out 6 assists. Whether in scoring or playmaking, He Xi Meng was flawless in the first half. It was precisely because of He Xi Meng's perfect performance that the Spurs were able to keep pace with the combined efforts of the OK combination.
As the second half began, veteran Grant suddenly exploded, dishing out three consecutive assists!
The first was an inside pass to O'Neal, assisting O'Neal with a slam dunk in the paint.
The second was a pick-and-roll assist to Kobe, who was cutting, assisting Kobe with a mid-range pull-up jumper.
The third was an inside-out pass to Fisher, who was waiting on the perimeter, assisting Fisher with a corner three-pointer!
Meanwhile, on the Spurs' side, He Xi Meng's first three-pointer of the second half bounced off the rim, David Robinson's post-up layup was blocked by O'Neal, and Reed's mid-range pull-up jumper also rimmed out...
The Lakers immediately went on a 7-0 run, extending their lead to 11 points!
Popovich urgently called for a timeout to disrupt the Lakers' surging offensive momentum.
To be honest, He Xi Meng was stunned by this surge initiated by "Cobra" Grant, and Popovich was also taken aback!
"Was this your plan, or was it a mere coincidence?"
During the timeout break, He Xi Meng specifically glanced at the Zen Master on the opposite side. But the Zen Master wore a look of unfathomable depth, showing no particular excitement at the Lakers' scoring spurt, as if this was something they were expected to achieve.
However, it had to be admitted that the Lakers were playing exceptionally well during this period. The offensive schemes centered around Grant perfectly exploited the weaknesses in the Spurs' defense. Because Brad Miller, who was responsible for guarding Grant, was constantly busy helping David Robinson double-team O'Neal, he was not closely guarding Grant when he posed no threat. This gave Grant ample space and vision to observe his teammates' positioning and deliver the ball to the player in the best position...
The first thing the Spurs needed to do was to adjust Brad Miller's defensive positioning. O'Neal required help defense, and Grant also needed attention, suddenly increasing the defensive pressure on Brad Miller's shoulders.
Secondly, the Spurs desperately needed to establish their own offensive rhythm. Only by breaking the scoring drought could they have a chance to narrow the gap. Without scoring, even if Brad Miller's defense improved, it would be in vain.
"Initiate the Hack-a-Shaq tactic!" Popovich instructed in a low voice.
This was the Spurs' trump card, which they had been holding back. He Xi Meng had wanted to use it at the most critical moment for a decisive blow. However, Popovich believed that this was the most critical moment for the Spurs, and if they didn't use it now, the game might be out of reach if the deficit widened to over 15 points, making it pointless to use.
He Xi Meng understood Popovich's intentions. Sometimes, a trump card held back for too long could become a useless card. Since Popovich believed it was time to activate the Hack-a-Shaq tactic...
"Then let's initiate it!"
After the timeout, as per Popovich's instructions, the Spurs collectively set screens for He Xi Meng, successfully helping him run a elevator door play. He Xi Meng shook off Kobe's tenacious man-to-man defense and successfully broke the second half's scoring drought with a catch-and-shoot three-pointer from the top of the arc! Simultaneously, the deficit was narrowed to 8 points.
Following that, Brad Miller was cautious of Grant, and O'Neal got a chance for a one-on-one against David Robinson. Fisher quickly passed him the ball, hoping O'Neal would capitalize. However, as O'Neal turned to shoot, David Robinson decisively swatted the ball away. While the ball wasn't touched, O'Neal's arm made a crisp sound!
The referee's whistle blew, and O'Neal was awarded free throws.
"Hey, old friend, you should aim a little better when you block!"
"You should be glad I'm not the me from two years ago... otherwise, would I need to aim for this block? Do you think you'd still get free throws?"
"Get outta here, old friend! I understand the desire of you old-timers to prove you're not old, but to block me... that won't happen in the league again from now on!"
"Are you sure? Are you sure you won't age? Shaq, you seem to have no understanding of time!"
"I'm in my prime right now, why would I understand that stuff?"
"You will! In the near future, there will be rookies who can counter you in the league and teach you what time is, what aging is, and what helplessness is..."
O'Neal, unbothered by David Robinson's warning, bantered with him as he stepped up to the free-throw line.
More than the issue of age, O'Neal was more troubled by how to get the ball into that damn hoop. For the "Big Shark," this was a lifelong challenge. He hadn't overcome it since entering the league and likely wouldn't see hope of solving it by the end of his career...
For the first free throw, O'Neal's arc was far too right, barely touching the rim.
"Shit!" O'Neal couldn't help but curse his touch under his breath. He nervously wiped the sweat from his forehead, received the ball from the referee, and prepared for his second free throw.
This time, O'Neal's arc was fine, but the force was off. The ball hit the inside of the rim and bounced out!
Both free throws missed! David Robinson's foul was extremely worthwhile! Secretly pleased, David Robinson grabbed the defensive rebound and passed it to He Xi Meng.
Because the entire Lakers team was well aware of O'Neal's free-throw percentage, the team's transition defense was very fast, giving He Xi Meng no opportunity for a fast break.
He Xi Meng patiently played half-court offense. Reed controlled the ball on the perimeter, waiting for He Xi Meng to run the elevator door play. However, while waiting, Reed noticed a clear defensive loophole created by the Lakers as they tried to stop He Xi Meng... unable to contain his offensive urge, Reed immediately drove through the gap in the Lakers' defense...
Reed was gone... leaving He Xi Meng, who was running a play, and the Lakers defenders swarming him, bewildered...
"Shaq, help defense!"
Fisher was one of the quickest to react, loudly reminding O'Neal in the paint to participate in the help defense!
But Reed was fast. After driving through the Lakers' defense, Reed immediately pulled up for a jump shot, not giving O'Neal a chance to get close, and released the ball.
The ball found the bottom of the net accurately, and Reed scored two points for the Spurs!
Reed's decision not only surprised the Lakers but also the Spurs. For a freshman, to disregard the head coach's tactical arrangements and seize a shot opportunity that rightfully belonged to the core player...