No team in the League has the offensive density and stamina like the Trail Blazers.
Jackson knew it was difficult to convince Jordan, so he had to go back to the basics and said, "Fine, even if you’re right. But still, you can’t outmatch Gan."
Jordan shook his head and said, "I believe in myself. Only then do we have a chance. Don’t worry, I’ve always been a team player, Phil."
With that, Jordan took off his warm-up jacket and prepared to get back on the court.
At that moment, Jackson suddenly realized that Jordan was actually very clear-headed; he wasn’t transfixed by the showdown with Gan and blindly going all out.
Indeed, in the first quarter, Jordan was highly efficient. He didn’t waste opportunities taking random shots. Given Gan’s efficiency, if he didn’t play like this, the Bulls might have an even lower score.
If the game turned into a head-to-head between Gan and Jordan, it would actually be beneficial to the Bulls, because the overall strength and bench depth of the Trail Blazers surpass that of the Bulls.
If they could prevent the Trail Blazers’ team offense from playing out, it wouldn’t be a bad thing.
With the timeout over, both teams’ main players quickly returned to the court, with Gan Guoyang and Jordan rejoining the game.
Neither dared to rest a minute longer, as a few short possessions could lead to significant changes in the situation.
Kobe remained on the court, tasked with defending Jordan, a tough assignment for him.
Unlike the regular season or the All-Star games, Jordan shows no mercy now that it’s the Finals.
With clever movement to create separation, a feigned motion after receiving the ball manipulated Kobe’s position, followed by a graceful stop-and-pop jump shot for two points!
Tonight, Jordan’s offensive rhythm was astonishingly sharp, while the Trail Blazers showed no intention of sending additional defenders for a tight defense, adhering to their one-on-one strategy.
With Riddle in the first quarter, and Kobe in the second, this was the Trail Blazers’ usual tactic. They dislike using intricate, complex defenses that might disrupt their offensive rhythm.
Go ahead and score, they figure, because the Trail Blazers can always outscore you.
But the Bulls are different. On defense, the Bulls started applying a stricter double-team and rotation on Gan Guoyang.
Intense physical confrontations hindered him from receiving the ball, with immediate double-teams once he did, sometimes even three-man traps.
Gan Guoyang was long accustomed to this treatment, remaining calm, stepped back, turned, and took a high-difficulty jump shot!
Clang, it missed!
Kobe had been waiting with open arms on the perimeter for a long time, his leader didn’t pass the ball!
"Why didn’t you pass the ball?"
"You wouldn’t have made it anyway!"
Gan Guoyang’s response irritated Kobe intensely.
But there was nothing he could do, the core player has the privilege to squander shot opportunities.
The Bulls seized the chance to counterattack, with Jordan penetrating to the basket and dishing it to the cutting Pippen amidst dense defense.
Pippen made a left-handed layup, avoiding Gan Guoyang’s block attempt, scoring to bring the Bulls within four points.
Then both teams’ offenses stagnated, battling fiercely for steals and tight defense near midcourt.
The Bulls succeeded in stealing the ball, the Trail Blazers counter-stole, and the Bulls surrounded again forcing a turnover. Kobe chased down and poked the ball out of bounds.
The Finals’ contest gradually escalated into a heated battle, exactly the scene Phil Jackson wanted, a war of attrition.
Best that Gan’s offensive efficiency be dragged down, with slight exhaustion, the Bulls definitely have a chance.
The Bulls indeed had less rest, but on the bright side, they had just been through a seven-game series with the Pacers, remaining in competitive form.
Thus, the Bulls sought to quickly snag an away victory. Losing the second game wouldn’t matter, they’d regroup in Chicago, aiming for two more wins, with the Championship calling.
Larry Bird called for a timeout to adjust the lineup, replacing Little O’Neal with Sabonis.
When Sabonis was on the court, Gan Guoyang could unleash his full offensive prowess.
Sabonis approached Gan Guoyang and nudged him, asking, "Sonny, how are you feeling?"
"It’s okay, but let’s wait a bit longer until their defense is more fatigued and concentrated."
"No problem, accelerate the pace?"
"Keep speeding up the tempo, don’t give them a chance to catch their breath."
The Trail Blazers fiercely contended at midcourt, also to wrest control of the pace from the Bulls.
They didn’t want the game to easily fall into a relaxed, slow-paced half-court mode, so they must force the Bulls to move with them.
The Bulls’ fatigue deepened as the game progressed, imposing increasingly tough challenges on the veterans.
Gan Guoyang didn’t cease his attempts, though early in the second quarter, his touch was indeed lacking, making only one out of four shots.
The Bulls, relying on Jordan’s scoring and playmaking, gradually narrowed the gap. With Jordan assisting Steve-Kerr for another three-pointer, the score was now 35:36, with the Bulls only trailing the Trail Blazers by one point!
The Bulls played to their rhythm during this stretch. Under pressure from the Trail Blazers, they stayed taut, but with the Trail Blazers’ poor shooting, they held strong.
Their defensive end proficient in double-teams and rotations, offensively slow but orderly, focusing on success rate over speed in their counterattacks, it seemed like the Bulls were gradually assuming control.
Kobe brought the ball past halfcourt, with Gan Guoyang suddenly moving to the top of the arc to receive the ball. Kobe passed to Gan Guoyang, Pippen immediately came over to help on defense.
Gan Guoyang passed the ball to Kobe, Sabonis moved to a high position, clearing the lane for Kobe to drive in, but Kobe’s layup was blocked by Jordan.