The Nets were gearing up to launch a counterattack against the Knicks.
The Knicks, meanwhile, maintained their powerful momentum. Whoever their opponents were, they would keep charging forward.
With their record already at this level, claiming they had no interest in making history would have been absolute bullshit.
No man could turn down the chance to leave his name and achievements in history, even if it was only the history of a sports league.
Under those circumstances, it was only natural for another evenly matched, high-level showdown to begin.
The clock struck nine that evening.
Inside Madison Square Garden.
A grand contest got underway.
Both teams' starters were already out on the court.
All they needed was a whistle from tonight's head referee for the game to officially begin.
Knicks starting lineup: Hart, Chen Xi, George, Toppin, Hartenstein.
Nets Team starting lineup: Harden, Shorter, Durant, Siakam, Claxton.
Judging by the starting lineups, neither team had changed much since their meeting early in the season.
Only the Knicks had switched their starting point guard because Rose was resting.
In fact, that was perfectly normal.
For two teams whose excellent records had confirmed the strength of their rosters, avoiding unnecessary tinkering might actually have been the right approach.
That was also why both teams had only made a few minor trades before the trade deadline.
All they needed were a few additions to enhance their already strong rosters.
Blockbuster trades were something teams deeply dissatisfied with their records needed to make.
The Nets tipped the opening jump ball to secure possession.
The Brooklyn visitors, who had "come from afar," launched the first attack.
James Harden dribbled across half court and reached the top of the key, where he immediately squared up against Hart's defense.
After two consecutive between-the-legs crossovers on the