The "New Triangle Offense" Finally Works!

Yao Ming had just scored when, at the Warriors' end, Ibaka pulled out to the perimeter. Durant used a screen, caught the ball, drove half a step inside the free throw line, and drilled a pull-up jumper!

At Yao Ming's current speed, that spot was right at the limit of his defensive range!

The Warriors had prepared no less thoroughly for tonight's game than the Lakers had!

Over the first two possessions, the Warriors had displayed a much stronger small-ball flavor than the Bulls had before them.

That was only natural. After all, the Warriors' head coach was Don Nelson, the Grandmaster who had founded the small-ball school.

However, just as the previous possession had shown, Lambis had refined the details of the Lakers' Triangle Offense. With Sun Hao and Yao Ming on the floor together, the Lakers' Triangle Offense remained extremely steady.

Sure enough, when Yao Ming was double-teamed in the post on the next trip down, he immediately kicked the ball out to Milsap, who had once again drifted out to the weak-side perimeter.

Milsap had already set himself in the corner. The instant the ball reached him, he launched a three-pointer.

This shot was crucial. No matter how lofty or complicated basketball tactics sounded, they were ultimately built from a few fundamental tactical units.

Whether Milsap made this three-pointer would determine how committed the Warriors were to double-teaming Yao Ming.

Did that sound familiar?

It was actually the same principle as any other low-post isolation tactic.

Swish!

Milsap showed off his improved perimeter shooting this season, burying the three-pointer with a clean release!

5-all!

The moment the ball went in, fans both in the arena and in front of their televisions could not help shouting.

With the way both sides had performed right out of the gate,