Langley defeated O'Neal for the tip-off, and the Bulls, taking the initiative as the visiting team, gained the first offensive opportunity.
Michael Jordan used Kukoc's high-post screen to drive and pass to Harper on the weak side. Harper faked, then drove again with the ball, passing to Pippen, who was cutting down the middle. Pippen caught the ball and soared, facing the recovering O'Neal, and forcefully dunked for the score!
Jordan, Harper, and Pippen executed a classic triangle offense movement, transitioning from the strong side to the weak side.
Pippen finished it off with a graceful one-handed slam, scoring the first points for the Bulls!
Turning the ball over, Heximon brought the ball past half-court and passed to O'Neal in the paint, facing Harper.
O'Neal was so focused on Langley next to him that he didn't notice Jordan circling around the baseline. As O'Neal began his drive, Jordan swooped in and stripped the ball away.
Heximon and Kobe didn't even have time to react before the ball changed hands!
After the steal, Jordan pushed the ball past half-court, accelerated to isolate Kobe, and hit a mid-range pull-up jumper.
4-0, the Bulls scored two consecutive baskets, their momentum fierce!
Turning the ball over again, Heximon continued to pass to O'Neal. This time, O'Neal was very cautious, constantly observing his surroundings. Although he wasn't stolen from or made a mistake, his short hook shot in the paint bounced off the rim.
O'Neal went up for the rebound, attempting a put-back, but it was Jordan again, flying in from the flank and swatting O'Neal's shot away.
Jordan's sudden block left O'Neal bewildered: "Rodman isn't even on the court yet?"
Then, he looked closely: "t/
No matter how you change your tactics, the Zen Master has only one move: Jordan on the court!"