After He Ximeng completed the celebratory move, it immediately triggered a wild cheer from the Lakers fans in the stadium! Someone unknown shouted "Kung Fu Ximeng," which was then picked up by the DJ. The live DJ found the moniker very cool and fitting for Ximeng's unstoppable momentum, so he called on all the fans to chant "Kung Fu Ximeng" in unison!
Within the Lakers' team, Kobe smiled and nodded, "Hey, bro, that move was brilliant! Now, fans all over the world will remember your celebration!"
Shaquille O'Neal directly pounced and, in an uncoordinated manner, struck a New Year's greeting pose with clasped fists towards He Ximeng, saying, "Master He, you have to teach me this kung fu move..."
"Master He?" He Ximeng was dumbfounded by O'Neal's title. But unable to resist the Big Diesel's sincerity, He Ximeng could only promise O'Neal that he would impart this ultimate skill to him after the game.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's quickly kick the Bulls back to Chicago..."
Although O'Neal's words were domineering, the current score actually showed the Bulls leading by 1 point!
Even though he made three out of three shots and unleashed his "kung fu," igniting the Lakers' arena atmosphere and making even a formidable player like the Boss Jordan feel a bit of pressure, after the timeout, Boss Jordan, under all the pressure, steadily made a back-down shot, completing his own three-for-three streak during this period!
However, He Ximeng's three shots were three-pointers, while Boss Jordan's three shots were mid-range!
90:87, the Bulls still led the Lakers by 3 points, and the game entered the final minute.
He Ximeng advanced the ball this time and was immediately double-teamed by the Bulls!
Harper and Boss Jordan trapped He Ximeng near half-court, attempting to steal the ball or, at the very least, force it out of his control!
To be honest, He Ximeng felt incredibly fortunate to receive such treatment from the Bulls.
Since the Bulls didn't want him to control the ball... so be it. Was He Ximeng the kind of point guard who couldn't play without the ball?
As for steals... forget about it. As someone aspiring to be a top ball-handler, He Ximeng valued fundamentals the most. So, before the Bulls could lay a hand on the ball, He Ximeng passed it out.
He Ximeng first gave it to Eddie Jones, who ran up to receive it. Eddie Jones then passed it to Kobe on the wing.
Taking advantage of the Bulls' defensive rotation, Kobe on the wing immediately went one-on-one against Rodman!
In the crowded paint, Kobe was no match for Rodman. But near the relatively open three-point line, Kobe had enough space to display his individual skills. With a fake, he drove past Rodman and into the paint again. Facing Mutombo, he glided through the air and made a difficult layup!
89:90, Kobe helped the Lakers narrow the score once more. Following He Ximeng's continuous performance, the other of the twin stars began to showcase his strength.
Boss Jordan's head was starting to ache!
One He Ximeng had already given him a headache, and now Kobe was stepping up. The Lakers were playing extremely tenaciously in the final moments!
It was the Bulls' turn to attack. Jordan, having scored three consecutive baskets, was a bit tired. So, this time, he handed the ball to his left-hand man, Pippen, to take the shot!
He Ximeng had his good brothers supporting him, but did Boss Jordan not have any?
Pippen received a drive-and-kick pass from Boss Jordan and drove into the Lakers' paint for a second time. Facing Mutombo's help defense, he attempted a left-handed layup. But Pippen had underestimated Mutombo's footwork, and almost had his shot blocked. In the end, Pippen adjusted in mid-air, then shot... narrowly evading Mutombo's block, and even drawing a foul!
Although O'Neal immediately spread his large hands, indicating he hadn't even touched Pippen's hand, the referee still deemed O'Neal to have severely violated Pippen's cylinder: Didn't you see Pippen being knocked to the ground by you?
O'Neal tugged at his cheek muscles, saying with a helpless look, "It's my fault if he can't take a hit?"
The referee ignored O'Neal's argument and sent Pippen to the free-throw line.
Pippen made the first free throw, the second... bounced off the rim! 91:89.
O'Neal fought hard to secure the rebound and then passed it to He Ximeng to advance. He Ximeng made a crossover, intentionally showing a weakness to lure Harper into biting, and then planned to get past him. But Harper didn't fall for it and stuck tightly to He Ximeng, preventing him from a quick advance. On the other side, Boss Jordan rushed over, intending to double-team He Ximeng again...
"Again?" Seeing this, He Ximeng executed a sudden stop, creating distance from Harper and the lunging Boss Jordan, then lofted a high pass towards the left three-point line!
Kobe, behind Boss Jordan, understood the intention. He accelerated with all his might, shaking off the rotating Boss Jordan, received He Ximeng's pass a step inside the left three-point line, and without slowing down, took three steps and rose up. He used his right hand to shield off the flying Boss Jordan, who was attempting to block, and then stuffed the ball into the basket with his left hand!
91:91, the Lakers' twin stars connected, tying the score with only 8 seconds left in the game!
The Bulls called another timeout, while Kobe excitedly tore at his number 8 jersey, roaring...
After the timeout, Boss Jordan had the ball for the final possession. Kobe defended fiercely, and Boss Jordan's last shot bounced off the rim. Even the great Boss Jordan could miss a buzzer-beater.
The game was dragged into overtime.
The Lakers, having come back from the brink of defeat, played with increasing ferocity! Especially O'Neal, who exploded at the start of overtime, successfully drawing Rodman's sixth foul and getting him ejected, eliminating him from the final showdown.
After Rodman's departure, the Bulls' interior defense significantly weakened. The most direct manifestation was O'Neal's consecutive dunks off brilliant passes from He Ximeng!
Since Mutombo also had five fouls, he dared not use the fouling tactic to stop O'Neal and could only watch helplessly as O'Neal repeatedly slammed the ball down over his head...
In the latter half of the fourth quarter, O'Neal, who hadn't had many opportunities to exert himself, became the Lakers' surprise weapon in overtime and successfully dominated the period!
Meanwhile, Boss Jordan had fought too fiercely with the Lakers' twin stars in the latter half of the third quarter, severely depleting his stamina. In overtime, his shooting percentage dropped noticeably...
In the end, the Lakers defeated the Bulls 99:96 in overtime, defending their first home game!