The Lakers were riding high, their offense flowing like water.
Less than a minute into the game, Kobe used O'Neal's screen to shake Jordan, drove to the basket, and finished with a layup.
The gap immediately grew to 13 points.
Lakers fans throughout the arena erupted, their roars echoing through the building.
The Lakers looked ready to ride the momentum and stretch their lead beyond 20.
The Knicks took possession.
Sprewell brought the ball up quickly across half court.
Rather than forcing an attack himself, his eyes immediately found Li Fei in the low post.
Li Fei raised his hand for the ball.
O'Neal immediately stepped up and bodyed Li Fei, spreading both arms wide as he did everything he could to contain him.
Sprewell lofted the ball directly into Li Fei's hands.
The basketball settled into Li Fei's palm.
The entire left side of the court was cleared out by the Knicks.
Li Fei held the ball with his back to the basket and lowered his center of gravity.
His massive body slowly exerted force backward, inch by inch squeezing O'Neal out of position.
O'Neal gritted his teeth and held firm with everything he had, refusing to give even half a step.
Li Fei suddenly spun halfway, sliding sideways half a step to create a sliver of space.
He rose and fired.
A mid-range jumper.
The ball traced a clean, sharp arc through the air and swished through the net.
Li Fei scored his first points of the third quarter.
The Lakers inbounded from the baseline.
Kobe pushed the ball up, hoping to strike quickly in transition.
Jordan latched onto him, desperately hounding him and slowing his advance.
The Lakers settled into their half-court offense, with O'Neal catching the ball in the low post and powering in.
Li Fei