"Give up the pointless gambling steals on the perimeter. Protect the first line of defense in the paint."
"Robinson, reduce your low-post contact. Focus on rim protection and boxing out. Don't reach in lightly."
"Duncan takes full control of the interior defense. Be ready to help, rotate, and sweep the paint."
He tried to use extreme defensive adjustments to make up for the fatal disadvantage caused by foul trouble.
But there had never been a perfect tactic on a basketball court. Every adjustment came at a cost.
The third quarter of the second half officially began, and the life-or-death showdown resumed.
Every member of the San Antonio Spurs strictly carried out the plan, instantly pushing their defensive intensity to the limit.
They delayed and cut off the perimeter, shrank into the paint to protect the rim, and rotated at full speed.
The Lakers' first few possessions were all forcibly shut down by the San Antonio Spurs' ironclad defense.
Kobe's drives were precisely cut off, while O'Neal's powerful attacks inside were met by swarming defenders.
But just as they stabilized the situation on defense, the San Antonio Spurs' offense suddenly went completely silent.
To avoid fouls, Robinson did not dare run, battle for position, or shoot.
He completely gave up midrange and long-range attempts and did not dare join high-intensity fast breaks.
With one stable scorer gone, the entire offensive burden fell on Duncan.
The Lakers quickly seized the opening, deliberately leaving the San Antonio Spurs' other role players open.
They swarmed and trapped Duncan at all costs, determined to disrupt his scoring rhythm.
Facing the Lakers' multiple defenders alone, Duncan's stamina drained rapidly.
In the sixth minute of the third quarter, the fatal accident arrived right on schedule.
O'Neal backed down with the ball in the low post, lowering his