In just two minutes, the score is 29:19, maintaining the 10-point gap.
O'Neal, Gan Guoyang, Tracy McGrady, Kobe, and others quickly returned to the game.
Gan Guoyang continued to fix his gaze on O'Neal, but Joe Crawford called a defensive foul on Gan Guoyang, giving O'Neal free throw opportunities.
He made one of two free throws; O'Neal finally scored. Until this point in the Game 7, he had scored only 1 point.
This giant's limitations in autonomy and flexibility make him prone to faltering in some key battles.
Especially when the game has turned into a chaotic battle, O'Neal's limited attack range renders him useless.
He either needs to receive the ball near the basket or grab offensive rebounds, both of which become extremely difficult under Gan Guoyang's defense.
Clearly, the Lakers and O'Neal were unprepared in this aspect; no one expected Ah Gan to return to the center position in Game 7.
The Lakers' possession began to focus more on Jide, Tracy McGrady, and Harper; they need to regain their outside shooting rhythm.
O'Neal received the ball more outside, providing screens and support to teammates, and drawing Gan Guoyang's defensive attention.
Robert Horry hit a mid-range jumper, followed by a clean outside shot by Tracy McGrady, as the Lakers' outside shooting rhythm was recovering.
The Trail Blazers could no longer just collapse the defense; Carlisle called for a timeout, and the team returned to man-to-man defense.
Carlisle also subbed in veteran Porter to provide Gan Guoyang with more passing support.
After the timeout, Gan Guoyang immediately called for the ball in the low post, this low-post beast's never-ending energy was the opponent's greatest nightmare.
The Lakers couldn't double-team early, they watched as Gan Guoyang received the ball and raised his hand.
Three players surrounded him, but Gan Guoyang turned his hook shot into a hook pass, giving it to the cutting Porter, who easily laid it in!
Gan Guoyang's oldest remaining teammate, they still possessed unparalleled chemistry.
Jide hit a three-pointer from outside, Staples Center erupted, that three-pointer was crucial.
Unexpectedly, 10 seconds later, Gan Guoyang received a pass from Porter outside, took the three-point shot from the arc, and made it!
Clearly, Gan Guoyang was fully activated, as he hadn't missed a single shot so far, everything went in.
This is Game 7 of the West Finals, an intensely high-pressure game, everyone was under great pressure.
Only he was at ease, like playing a practice game, completely disregarding the Lakers' defense.
The Lakers found it hard to apply pressure; closely guarded, he broke through; doubled, he passed; collapsed, he shot threes, scoring unhindered.
The Lakers had barely caught up a bit, but Gan Guoyang's consecutive 5 points suppressed them again, and the Lakers players could only continue to chase.
O'Neal finally got the opportunity to receive the ball in a deep position and attacked the basket directly with a strong dunk!
But Gan Guoyang blocked from the side! O'Neal fell directly on the ground.
The referee called a foul on Gan Guoyang, although the replay showed it was a clean block, Gan Guoyang's hand was completely on the ball.
But O'Neal fell, the referee had to care, O'Neal stood at the free-throw line and uncharacteristically made both shots.
Rick Carlisle was very dissatisfied, protesting to the referee, but Gan Guoyang came over to calm him down.
"It's fine, Rick, it's fine, none of this matters, relax, take it easy."
Then, Gan Guoyang received the ball in the left low post, used a hook fake to shake off O'Neal, and with an up-and-under step cut to the basket, easily scoring a layup.
The entire move was executed fluidly, the Lakers didn't even have a chance to contest, the 36-year-old veteran displayed his lifelong center experience and techniques.
No matter how Gan Guoyang's playing style changed over the years, how he redefined his position, center skills and techniques always remained his foundation, his greatest weapon.
The Lakers were noticeably shaken, once again failing to score on offense, and in the fast break, Gan Guoyang received a pass from Porter at 45 degrees, paused and shot a mid-range jumper, easily scoring!
Still at a 100% shooting percentage, compared to the first quarter, Gan Guoyang had diversified his offensive tactics, bewildering the Lakers' defense and leaving the opponents at a loss.
Jackson called a timeout, the Lakers players were clearly confused about how to defend or who to guard, and the cohesion they had barely put together for a few minutes was scattered by Gan Guoyang's casual attacks.
Jackson finally couldn't hold back and erupted on the bench, yelling at the players for being brainless animals, while Tex Winter repeatedly pulled at Jackson's elbow, reminding him to control his emotions.
It seemed that not just the Lakers players but Jackson himself was broken, even though there's still half of the second quarter left, and then there's the third quarter, that damn third quarter!
Remembering the first game, Jackson was nearly in breakdown from Gan Guoyang and the Trail Blazers, relying on the league's favorable calls, they barely made it to Game 7.
Only to find in Game 7, those who were naked swimming were still naked swimming, the situation hadn't changed significantly.
Gan Guoyang kept one trick up his sleeve for the last battle, just to give the Lakers no way out.
Jackson calmed down, reminding himself not to get carried away, to stabilize the formation and exhaust the game.
He suppressed the urge to sub out O'Neal for a counterattack, kept O'Neal on the court, and rearranged the lineup, urging a rally.
Jackson's approach was correct, the Lakers stabilized the situation in the latter half of the second quarter, relying on strong defense and some favorable whistles from the referees, they held on without falling further behind.