The Lakers ' third offensive possession saw them attempt to continue feeding the ball from the perimeter to the paint. Doug Christie received a pass from David Wesley on the weak side, bounced it slightly, and prepared to lob the ball to O'Neal, who was positioned deep in the paint.
However, the instant he raised his hand, a green phantom suddenly shot out from the side.
Eddie Jones, the young man whom Lin Qi regarded as the team's top 3-and-D core on the perimeter, used his amazing defensive instincts to shut down the passing lane half a step in advance. His unusually long right arm suddenly stretched out into the air, and his fingertips flicked the basketball with precision!
"Smack!"
Successful interception!
"Fast break--!" The Boston commentator's roar instantly rose eight octaves.
Doug Christie's expression changed upon losing the ball, and he turned around and frantically took long strides to chase after him. But Eddie Jones, who had entered sprint mode, didn't give the defender any chance to contest. He was like a green lightning bolt that ripped through the FleetCenter, dribbled past half-court, and leaped high just inside the free-throw line, stretching out in the air for a one-handed dunk!
Bang--!
2 to 4!
The powder keg in the FleetCenter, which had been silent for three minutes, was completely ignited by this dunk. The roar of "BEAT LA!" once again lifted the arena's dome like a tsunami. This play was a clear warning to the Lakers: Want to feed your big man the ball comfortably? First, ask these wingspan monsters if they agree!
On the offensive end, the Boston Celtics responded just as fiercely.
Sam Cassell held the ball, guarding David Wesley on the perimeter. Lin Qi watched this matchup with a playful smile. David Wesley was a player he had personally traded from Boston to Los Angeles this summer. With the Lakers, Wesley had put up the best numbers of his career, but Lin Qi knew Wesley's Achilles' heel better than anyone.
Height. That's a physical disadvantage he can never change in his lifetime.
Sam Cassell didn't try to outrun Wesley. Instead, he dribbled the ball while using his round, thick backside to push Wesley all the way to the right low post. As he used his massive lower body strength to relentlessly ram into Wesley, he muttered, " Jerry West sent a short guy like you to guard me? Does he look down on me, or on the Boston rim?"
Thumbs up.
Bump this again.
Feeling Wesley's rapid breathing behind him, Sam Cassell suddenly swayed his shoulder with remarkable realism, then deftly flipped himself up, leaning back with his signature move, and gently flicked his wrist.
Swish!
The score was tied at 4-4. After making the shot, Sam Cassell deliberately made his signature exaggerated celebration in front of Wesley, instantly igniting the tension on the court.
The remainder of the first quarter flew by in this high-level, head-to-head offensive battle.
When the final whistle blew at the end of the first quarter, the score on the big screen was 28-24, with the Lakers leading by 4 points.
The Lakers ' O'Neal was an unstoppable asset, while the Celtics ' perimeter defense and fast break speed also caused the Lakers a lot of trouble. Only Garnett sat on the bench, covering his face with a towel, still thinking about how to break through the opponent's interior defense.
The second quarter began with the usual rotation time.
Boston Celtics head coach Adelman made the first lineup change, bringing on an outrageously deep second unit: Mark Price, Michael Finley, Chris Mullin, Don Otrau, and P.J. Brown.
Boston's " Price Time " has arrived.
Lakers head coach Del Harris also made adjustments, bringing in Brian Shaw, Byron Scott, A.C. Green, and that eighteen-year-old kid who was blowing a huge piece of chewing gum and had an almost arrogant look in his eyes— Kobe Brian.
As the tall, thin high school student stepped onto the court, the Boston fans at the FleetCenter erupted in laughter. In this day and age, putting an eighteen-year-old on the court in a high-level game like the Christmas Day game was practically a joke by the coaching staff.
However, Lin Qi, who had been leaning back in his chair, suddenly sat up straight.
The game continued, Price immediately displayed the top-tier control of an All-Star point guard upon entering the game. He first ran a high pick-and-roll with P.J. Brown. The Lakers ' slow-moving veterans on the bench simply couldn't keep up with Price's pace, collapsing half a beat too late. Price didn't even flinch, pulling up for a textbook mid-range jumper.
The mid-range shot went in.
In the next possession, Chris Mullin, the " God's Left Hand," circled out from the weak side, using two impenetrable walls of flesh as screens, to receive the ball. This legendary veteran didn't even need a dramatic change of direction when he shook off the defender; a simple glance was enough to fool him, and then he took the shot as if he were strolling.
Three-pointer goes in!
Before the Lakers could even react, Michael Finley received the ball at a 45-degree angle. Facing the aging A.C. Green, Finley executed a brutal crossover, planted his right foot firmly on the floor, and roared into the paint like a cannonball, delivering a powerful one-handed dunk over the defender!
Bang--!
A 7-0 run instantly turned the score around!
" Price Time " revealed its fangs during the transition. But just as the audience cheered, the eighteen-year-old boy made a move.
Kobe Brian was too eager to show off. During another Boston Celtics offensive possession, Price and orchestrated the offense, feigning to pass the ball to Mullin in the corner. Kobe, with his beast-like instincts, stepped on the gas and pounced without warning, attempting a spectacular steal.
However, he was facing Mark Price. Price didn't even glance at Kobe, his wrist flicking mysteriously in the air; the pass was just a convincing feint. The ghostly veteran Mullin had already anticipated this, making a back cut to the backcourt, receiving the ball, and easily scoring a layup.
Kobe missed completely, nearly crashing into the front row of the stands due to the momentum. Lakers veteran Scott couldn't help but yell at him, "Rookie! Don't try to be clever!"
A look of extreme embarrassment and frustration flashed across Kobe's young face, but he slammed his thigh hard and then did something that surprised everyone.
In the next possession, the Lakers launched a fast break. Brian Shaw quickly advanced the ball, loudly calling for veteran Scott. However, Kobe ignored his senior and forced his way to the ball on the right side. After receiving the pass, he collided head-on with Finley.
Finley lowered his center of gravity and used his strong chest to block Kobe's first step. Just when everyone thought the rookie was going to suffer another setback, Kobe made an extremely unbelievable mid-air hand switch.
He practically flew sideways, and just as he was about to lose his balance, he deftly flicked the ball past P.J. Brown's massive, fan-like hand. The basketball grazed the top of the backboard and fell into the net.
Bang.
The ball went in. Kobe landed, expressionless, even giving his veteran teammate Scott a cold glare.
A collective gasp rippled through the arena. The incredible imagination and finishing ability displayed under intense pressure, along with the ruthlessness that disregarded even the authority within the team, made Lin Qi grip his tactical notes tightly from the president's seat.
Assistant coach Thibodeau, standing beside him, exclaimed sincerely, "This kid's got something!"
Lin Qi watched Kobe's retreating figure on defense. "Skills can be practiced over time, but this kind of ingrained, fearless obsession with failure... cannot be taught. He's a born killer."
Midway through the second quarter, with the point difference threatening to widen, Lakers head coach " Del Harris " Del Harris made a decision that defied conventional rotation logic—bringing O'Neal back onto the court after only four minutes of rest.
Any Boston Celtics player attempting to penetrate the paint should be prepared to suffer heavy losses. Lakers, through O'Neal's relentless low-post dominance, dragged the game back into a grueling, physical battle, keeping the score very close.
By halftime, the Lakers had once again established a lead. At halftime, the Lakers led 51-48 by 3 points.
The Celtics ' depth can win in transitional periods, but the Lakers have a monster who can change the logic of rotation. As long as O'Neal is on the court, the Celtics' advantage of a normal rotation will be greatly weakened.
Lin Qi stood up, his face grim, and walked toward the players' tunnel. He needed to get to the locker room and have a serious talk with the coaching staff before the second half began.