101–99. The Orlando Magic had the last laugh. Hardaway finished with 28 points and 10 assists, while Tracy McGrady contributed 30 points, showing the entire league the terrifying firepower of their backcourt duo.
Mourning's 25 points and 15 rebounds for the Heat came in vain. He could only swallow the bitter taste of defeat.
After three spectacular matchups, the clock had quietly ticked toward nine that evening.
Sports bars across the United States buzzed with voices, the atmosphere already at fever pitch. The hundreds of millions of viewers in front of their televisions could barely contain their excitement.
In TNT's broadcast booth, three star commentators—Kevin Harlan, Marv Albert, and Bill Walton—were already in place.
"Good evening, everyone!" Kevin Harlan's trademark booming voice rang out. "We've just enjoyed three spectacular Christmas Day Games, from the battle over a legacy in Chicago to the requiem for an era in Houston, then the showdown of young stars in Orlando. Every one of them left us wanting more! But believe me, those were only tonight's appetizers!"
Beside him, Marv Albert picked up the thread. The legendary commentator had witnessed countless classic battles, yet his voice was brimming with anticipation. "That's right, Kevin. Tonight's real main course, the feast everyone has been waiting for since the schedule was announced, is about to begin at basketball's Mecca—Madison Square Garden! A rematch of last season's NBA Finals: the Knicks against the San Antonio Spurs!"
Bill Walton added in his usual philosophical tone, "This isn't merely a regular-season game. It's more like a duel between medieval knights. On one side stand the defending champion Knicks, with the mightiest knight on this planet—Li Fei. He's like an invincible emperor ruling his kingdom. On the other side stand the San Antonio Spurs, who have endured hardship and bided their time.