Just like that, O’Neal also started scoring. His coordination with Tracy and Jason was quite good. As a finisher, he’s more than competent.
However, when O’Neal can only play the role of a finisher, his significance on the tactical side is greatly diminished.
Scoring 30 points through pick-and-rolls, roll-ins, and putbacks is strategically different from scoring 30 points by grinding in the low post and drawing fouls.
The former is just 30 points, while the latter implies that you can create scoring opportunities worth 10, 20, or even 30 points for your teammates.
Del Harris also realized this, but there wasn’t much he could do. O’Neal, at 7’1", just couldn’t dominate Ah Gan, who’s 6’10", in the low post.
So the Lakers continued to use Jason Kidd as the offensive pivot, constantly accelerating and using ball distribution and the frontcourt to attack the Trail Blazers.
Towards the end of the first half, the competition between the two teams grew more intense. With Gan Guoyang’s scoring, the Trail Blazers took a 5-point lead.
At halftime, the Trail Blazers led 61 to 56, ahead by 5 points.
In the third quarter, the competitiveness and confrontations between the two teams suddenly intensified.
The Lakers turned the tables. On the outside, Robert Horry and Jason Kidd hit consecutive three-pointers.
In just two possessions, the Lakers overtook the Trail Blazers, 61 to 62, leading by one point.
Three-point shots are truly a game-changer; this is a skill every team has learned.
As the pioneers of three-point plays, the Trail Blazers are obviously no slouches.
Gan Guoyang stopped holding back. In the third quarter, he changed from playing around to unleashing his killer instinct.
He seized on O’Neal’s defensive weakness of not being able to defend well outside, receiving the ball at the top arc and going for a three-pointer.
It’s good!
Lakers, O’Neal and Kidd with a pick-and-roll, O’Neal rolling in, catching the ball and dunking successfully.
to 64, tied.
Jason Kidd’s passes aren’t extravagant but are exceptionally accurate and timely, comfortable in the hand.
The Trail Blazers aren’t interested in playing nice. Gan Guoyang receives the ball again at the arc; O’Neal can’t defend outside. Another three-pointer!
It’s in again!
Everyone on the Lakers, especially O’Neal, started to get nervous.
O’Neal received the ball in the low post, once again challenging Ah Gan’s defensive fortress.
Gan Guoyang pulled a chair move, causing O’Neal to commit a traveling violation.
O’Neal cursed inside at this old trickster, who in the first half talked about fair play and no cheap tricks.
Damn, by the crucial third quarter, whatever works becomes fair game, no sportsmanship to speak of.
You must win the game; of course, Gan Guoyang won’t speak of sportsmanship.
Receives the ball at the arc for the third time; this time, Horry comes up to defend, but it doesn’t matter, you’re too short.
Gan Guoyang rises up and throws again; the ball arches high—it’s the trajectory most familiar to Lakers players.
In that Great Western Forum Arena three-point bombardment, that ultimate comeback, one of the humiliating moments in Lakers history, was made with such high-arch trajectories.
The ball, spinning vigorously, goes through the netting, third time in a row!
The entire Rose Garden Arena erupts in cheer; the Sun King has started to shine.
The fans haven’t seen Gan Guoyang score with such vigor for quite a while.
The 34-0 signboards were frequently held up, Del Harris called a timeout, adjustments were necessary.
He knew that if this continued, Ah Gan could keep scoring until the game became completely one-sided.
The Lakers made adjustments, no longer letting O’Neal solo-defend Gan Guoyang.
Instead, Horry, Tracy, and even Kidd took turns to guard Gan Guoyang on the perimeter.
The Lakers’ advantage of height and size on the outside became apparent, they could all defend the inside.
Gan Guoyang didn’t keep trying threes endlessly; he knew that after the timeout, his touch might have been disrupted.
He switched to working in the low post; the Lakers’ double-teaming was quick, but Gan Guoyang’s passing was even quicker.
The fluid zone offense passing by the Trail Blazers often found gaps in the Lakers’ defense.
Meanwhile, on the offensive end, the Lakers could always find a way to score.
Jason Kidd truly is a genius point guard. His ability to spot opportunities far surpassed that of ordinary players.
He could see chances other point guards couldn’t and make passes others couldn’t.
The Trail Blazers, powered by Gan Guoyang’s strong offense, maintained their lead, while the Lakers stuck tight to the scoreline, not letting the Trail Blazers pull away.
The Trail Blazers are strong, but tonight’s Lakers are equally resilient.
O’Neal grew more focused; he essentially gave up low-post forceful attacks, instead utilizing more face-up plays, tank-like rolls, and catch-and-attack at the basket.
Gan Guoyang could hold O’Neal with static strength, but in dynamic situations, once O’Neal’s weight got moving, he was truly unstoppable.
O’Neal simply played as a finisher, and both sides engaged in a brilliant battle of offense and defense in the third quarter.
Bird orchestrated from the sidelines, constantly observing the game’s development, silently pondering when to unleash their trump card.
Bird indeed had a hidden strategy; he knew that the Lakers have always aimed their roster composition and construction at rivaling the Trail Blazers.
Look at their frontcourt, look at Horry and Tracy’s wingspans and athletic abilities, causing the Trail Blazers quite some trouble.
But the Trail Blazers are not without their countermeasures; it’s just that until pivotal moments and key games, Bird was not prepared to reveal too many of them too early.
In the latter half of the third quarter, the score reached 85 to 80, the Trail Blazers still leading by 5 points.
Bird subbed Gan Guoyang out, letting him rest and catch his breath, readying for the decisive fourth quarter.
"The Lakers are playing well tonight," Bird said.
"Yeah, their front line is quite formidable," Gan Guoyang replied, drinking water.
Tracy and Horry were constantly giving him trouble, offensively and defensively.
Teams across the league probably learned a bit from the time when Pippen harassed Gan Guoyang.
Because this has been the best defensive restriction on Gan Guoyang’s playoff journey so far; though ultimately Pippen was still overwhelmed.
But people realized, especially Jerry West, realized that using an all-around small forward to counter an all-around Ah Gan was the best choice.
In the future, there will also be an all-round frontcourt player expected to become an "Ah Gan-killer," entering the league with great fanfare.
"Alright, when you get back in the fourth quarter, play the three," Bird instructed.
"What, I can put my hands on my hips again?"
"Not tonight, you can’t. You need to go all out and crush them."
"Alright, I’ll do my best," Gan Guoyang replied indifferently.
In his heart, he thought, haha, maybe I can score some easy balls again.