Van Gundy gave the team a harsh review, tearing into the players for letting their guard down.
Li Fei's expression was grim. He adjusted their tactics and demanded that the whole team play with more physicality.
Jordan took responsibility and promised to do more on both ends of the floor in the second half.
The team cast aside its restlessness and thoughts of the title, focusing once more on the battle in front of them.
After the break, the third quarter became the fiercest tug-of-war of the game.
The Knicks launched their strongest comeback bid, pushing their intensity to the limit on offense and defense.
Li Fei put on an unstoppable solo show, scoring 16 points in the quarter and dominating both ends.
Whether he was battling inside for a bucket or pulling up from midrange, his shots kept falling.
Jordan continued to find his rhythm, hitting from three and coming up with steals on defense.
With contributions from all over the floor, the Knicks mounted a furious charge.
At one point, they cut a double-digit deficit to just three points.
Hope flared again among the Madison Square Garden crowd, and cheers thundered through the arena.
But the Lakers' resilience with their backs against the wall was on full display that quarter.
Kobe kept scoring under immense pressure, making tough shot after tough shot to steady his team.
O'Neal continued to overpower the Knicks inside, while his free throws kept falling at an unusually high rate.
Across the roster, the Lakers were hitting threes, making midrange shots, and attacking the paint. They had no weak spot.
No matter how fiercely the Knicks fought back, they could not take the lead.
The third quarter ended with the score at 82–75.
The Lakers had weathered the comeback and still led the Knicks