Walton picked up the thread. "Of the Chicago Bulls' 25 points, 18 came from half-court offense. Each score took an average of 16 seconds. Of the Knicks' 28 points, 16 came in transition—12 of Li Fei's 18 points came in transition. Everyone knows that transition is the easiest way to score in basketball. You run ahead, no one behind you can catch up, you dunk, and there's two points. No tactics, no coordination, just—speed."
Harlan nodded. "That's the heart of the issue. After the Chicago Bulls put out their three-big lineup, scoring became too difficult for them. Every basket had to go through Jordan's isolation, Malone's post-ups, Ewing's high-post jumpers—those are all effective offensive methods, but they're also physically draining. The Knicks' scoring, on the other hand, is too easy. Li Fei just has to run, receive the pass, dunk, and get two points. He doesn't even need to break a sweat."
Albert added, "In the first quarter, the Chicago Bulls held the Knicks to only four fast breaks. Four. That was already the absolute limit of what they could do. But the Knicks converted all four of those fast breaks for eight points. Li Fei alone accounted for six of them. That's the fatal weakness of the three-big lineup—you can battle the Knicks in the half court, but you can't stop their fast break. Because your legs can't keep up with theirs."
During the break between quarters, Van Gundy made an adjustment no one had expected.
"Arvydas." He walked up to Sabonis. "You rest to start the second quarter."
Sabonis froze for a moment, then nodded. He did not ask why. After playing in the NBA for so many years, he knew every coaching decision had its reasons.
Van Gundy moved Marshall to the five and sent Stephen Jackson