The referee carried the basketball to the center circle and bent down, ready for the tip-off.
Tens of thousands of fans fell silent in an instant. The vast Madison Square Garden was quiet enough to hear a pin drop.
Everyone's eyes were locked tightly on the starting players at both ends of the court.
The Knicks' starting five were all in position, composed and balanced on both offense and defense.
Li Fei held down the center position, his broad, towering frame dominating the paint alone.
At seven feet four, paired with his terrifying wingspan, he stood on the court like an iron tower in the paint.
Michael Jordan played shooting guard, his posture sharp and his gaze cold as frost.
Allan Houston, Sprewell, and Donyell Marshall each took their positions in an orderly formation.
The Pacers' starting lineup on the opposite side was equally prepared, every face tense.
Reggie Miller stood at shooting guard, staring fixedly at Jordan in front of him.
There was no need to ignite the smoke of war. From the moment the two took their positions across from each other, it had already filled the arena.
The whistle suddenly sounded, and the first quarter officially began.
At center court, Li Fei easily tipped the ball away with his overwhelming height and leaping ability.
The basketball landed steadily in the Knicks' backcourt, and the team launched the first possession.
The opening play's tactical arrangement was blunt and clear.
The Knicks spread the floor, deliberately clearing out the right side.
All attention was handed over to Jordan and Miller's fated one-on-one matchup.
This was the scene United States fans had been waiting for most, and the ultimate reflection of the two teams' feud.
Miller pressed up tightly, his steps tense, body leaning forward, his defensive stance fully set.