The scores of both teams rose alternately, and overall it was somewhat sluggish. The Nets did an excellent job defending against passes and cuts.
The Glory Team wanted to run the Princeton System, hoping for backdoor cuts and movement, but they lacked the details and chemistry.
As a result, they forced plays that led to the Nets intercepting the ball, allowing Jide to push for a counterattack.
Once there are one or two counterattack opportunities, Jide will definitely seize them.
Their scoring efficiency was already low, and fast breaks were the best way to score.
After quickly scoring, they would slow down and grind the defense, which is the logic behind the Nets' games' outcomes.
In the first quarter, the two teams were tied at 19:19, and although the scores were low, the game was not unappealing.
The intensity of offense and defense was at its peak, with strong contest and well-organized tactics, balancing speed and precision.
Both teams had mature and intelligent players leading, making rational decisions on offense and defense.
Jide didn't cling to the ball, instead reasonably directing teammates' positioning and actively integrating into team operations, rather than running aimlessly or standing still when not holding the ball.
Gan Guoyang was even busier, leading his teammates to play according to the Princeton approach, and when it didn't work, he scored solo in the low post and also had to watch over Kenyon Martin on defense.
He still managed all this well, even while conserving energy.
Both sides smoothly got through the first quarter, and in the second quarter, Richard Jefferson came on to bring trouble and impact to Glory with his speed and energy.
Arenas, seeing his college teammate playing brilliantly, stood up himself with mid-range jumpers and three-pointers to help Glory score.
By the middle of the second quarter, the seats were finally full, and the atmosphere on site grew more enthusiastic.
Gan Guoyang rested for five minutes in the second quarter and re-entered the game with the score at 34:31, with the Nets leading by 3 points.
Olajuwon suddenly erupted in the first half of the second quarter, blocking Glory's offense twice in succession, providing ammunition for the Nets' counterattack.
Glory remained restrained, not using Ah Gan, letting young players withstand pressure on the court until Gan Guoyang returned to the game.
When Gan Guoyang came back on, he called his teammates over to discuss their next moves.
"Their defense is tough but always has some gaps. This is our chance to capitalize on training. Finding and exploiting gaps is the essence of the Princeton System. Use your brains, guys, and identify your teammates' issues. Also, Princeton doesn't mean endlessly passing. Seize the opportunity and attack proactively when it arises."
Gan Guoyang was a diligent mentor, imparting his knowledge and experience to the young players. Training is ultimately a simulation, real combat is the best opportunity for improvement.
Especially against a strong defensive team like the Nets, whose inside and outside defense is well-balanced, testing players' focus and thoughtfulness.
A 3-point gap is very small, and Gan Guoyang is at the top of the arc facilitating, performing a handoff play with Arenas.
Arenas took the ball and drove inside, looking like he was going to pull up for a jumper, but at the last moment passed the ball to the cutting Gan Guoyang.
Gan Guoyang received the ball, drove down the middle, drew defenders, and then passed to Miller on the left, who made a small hook shot off the board for two points.
A very smooth half-court play, though not a standard Princeton play, starting from a high pick to create spacing for an open player to shoot, already a good tactical play.
Olajuwon caught the ball at the top of the arc, made a mid-range jumper, and scored.
In their last battle, the Big Dream showed his best state.
Gan Guoyang once again came to the top of the arc in a half-court set, intending to draw Olajuwon out.
If Olajuwon didn't come out, Gan Guoyang faked a screen and then swiftly drove to the basket.
Olajuwon's footwork could no longer keep up with Gan Guoyang, and he could only watch as Gan Guoyang scored a layup.
The Glory Team used a sudden, smooth offensive burst to launch a 7-0 run, taking the lead.
Meanwhile, the Nets' shooting went cold, unable to hit from the outside, a common scenario in 2000s' NBA games.
In high-intensity, slow-paced games, the shooting touch warms up slowly and cools down quickly, stopping abruptly.
By the end of the half, Glory maintained a score advantage, leading 44:40 over the Nets by 4 points.
The scores were quite low, but Glory gained an advantage in the second quarter with a successful period of offense.
During halftime, Byron Scott in the locker room instructed that Olajuwon should not match up against Ah Gan in the second half.
"Better to defend Miller, Miller is a center, you can match up with each other, Ah Gan plays too much outside," Scott said more tactfully.
In reality, as players of the same age, Olajuwon declined more than Ah Gan, and in style, Ah Gan plays too far outside now for Olajuwon's quickness and explosiveness to defend.
But Olajuwon refused, pleading, "Coach, let me defend him, this might be our last formal game against each other, the last time."
Scott considered Olajuwon's decision to retire and the unlikelihood of the two teams meeting in the finals during the playoffs, indeed the last duel.
Byron Scott, an understanding and emotionally intelligent coach, decided to employ a more flattering strategy against Ah Gan, proving this point.
Thus, Scott agreed to Olajuwon's request, allowing him to continue matching up against Gan Guoyang in the second half.