Second half.
On screen, Phil Jackson fielded his starting lineup again: Shaquille O'Neal O'Neal, Jermaine O'Neal, Peja Stojaković, Kobe Brian, and Derrick Fisher. For the Trail Blazers, head coach Mike Dunleavy countered with Arvydas Sabonis, P.J. Brown, Scottie Pippen, Steve Smith, and Damon Stoudamire.
At the start of the third quarter, the Lakers intensified their defensive pressure. Kobe led the defense against Stoudamire for the entire game, forcing two consecutive turnovers. Inside the paint, O'Neal repeatedly established position, overpowering Sabonis for a score. On the perimeter, Peja used a screen to pop out and hit a three-pointer.
A 14-6 run gave the Lakers a 62-54 lead and they regained control of the game.
"See that?" Lin Qi stood in front of everyone. "This is the true strength of the Lakers ' starting five. When they are fully focused, they have no obvious weaknesses on either offense or defense."
"But..." Lin Qi pointed with his tactical pen to O'Neal on the screen, who was panting with his hands on his knees, " Shaq's stamina is limited. He played seven minutes straight in the third quarter without rest."
"Why isn't Phil making a substitution?" Garnett asked, leaning back in his chair.
"Because the Lakers ' bench can't hold up," Lin Qi said. "When O'Neal goes off the court, their interior defense becomes vulnerable. Phil can only squeeze Shaq out of playing time, and that's our opportunity."
Lin Qi looked at Dikembe Mutombo, Kevin Garnett, Ben Wallace, and Rasheed Wallace in the front row. "We have four big men who can put up a good fight. In the NBA Finals, I want you guys to take turns wearing down O'Neal. If we drag the game into the fourth quarter, then fatigue will become a problem for the Lakers."
The game replay continues. Midway through the third quarter, the Trail Blazers begin their comeback. P.J. Brown makes a jump shot from the free-throw line. Pippen backs down Kobe and makes a turnaround jump shot. Stoudamire drives and draws a foul on Fisher.
A 10-2 run brought the score to 64-64. Phil Jackson called a timeout.
The broadcast cut to the Lakers' bench. Phil held a clipboard, his expression still calm. But Kobe was breathing heavily, and O'Neal had a towel draped over his head, his eyes showing signs of fatigue.
"They're tired," Gary Payton said, chewing gum.
"The high intensity of the playoffs takes a heavy toll on the core players," Lin Qi nodded.
After the timeout, Kobe had the ball on the right wing, facing Pippen's defense, faked a back turn, turned and pulled up for a jump shot.
"Whoosh!"
66-64.
In the next possession, O'Neal, in the deep post, faced a double-team from Sabonis and Brown and attempted a floater, which bounced off the rim. Just as the defenders' attention was drawn to the basket, O'Neal Jr. cut in from the weak side and tipped the offensive rebound over Brown's head.
" Little O has a good nose for rebounds," Kevin Garnett commented.
"It's more about athletic talent," Dikembe Mutombo shook his head. "His positioning is still very rough. If his lower body is locked down, he won't get many offensive rebounds."
At the end of the third quarter, the Lakers led 76-72 by 4 points.
Section 4.
The Trail Blazers started strong, with Smith hitting a three-pointer, Brown making a putback, and Stoudamire drawing a foul on a drive. 79-78, the Trail Blazers took the lead.
Phil Jackson called a halt again.
After the timeout, the Lakers executed their standard Triangle Offense: Fisher passed the ball to Kobe on the right wing, Kobe drew a double team and passed it back to the top of the key, where Fisher made a first-time pass to the cutting O'Neal Jr.. O'Neal caught the ball and dunked.
"The tactics were executed decisively," David Blatt said, stroking his chin.
"By shifting the defensive line between strong and weak sides, we can always find openings," Lin Qi said.
For the next three minutes, the two sides were locked in a stalemate, with the score tied at 86.
The scoreboard showed 86-86, with 3 minutes and 12 seconds remaining.
O'Neal established position in the low post, turned and overpowered Sabonis for a basket, drawing a foul in the process. 2+1.
O'Neal stepped up to the free-throw line.
O'Neal makes a move...
"Clang!"
"A career-high shooting percentage of around 50%." Thibodeau looked at the screen. "In crucial moments, if we're behind, we can send Shaq straight to the free-throw line to disrupt their offensive rhythm."
The Lakers led 88-86. For the next minute or so, both teams seemed to be under a spell... Missed shots, turnovers, more missed shots, and the scoreboard remained frozen, motionless.
With 2 minutes and 4 seconds remaining in the game, Smith hit a three-pointer, Trail Blazers an 89-88 lead.
In the next possession, Kobe received the ball on the right wing. Facing Pippen, he took a jab step and then suddenly accelerated, using his first step to get past the defense, and then drove to the basket for a layup over Brown who was helping to defend.
90-89!
Lakers have taken the lead again!
The commentator's exclamation came from the television as Kobe landed and clenched his fist in celebration. But the broadcast immediately cut to O'Neal in the low post. The Big Shark stood with his hands on his hips, watching Kobe's celebration with a blank expression.
" Kobe made the crucial shot," Lin Qi pointed at O'Neal's face. "But Shaq wasn't happy."
"Why?" Eddie Jones asked.
"Because in this play, Shaq had gotten quite deep into the low post, but Kobe didn't pass." Lin Qi pointed with his pen to O'Neal, who was stretching out his arms for the ball in the paint, "He chose to finish the play himself."
"This is the Lakers ' Achilles' heel," Lin Qi said. " Kobe wants to prove he's the one who takes the clutch shots, while Shaq believes the ball must pass through him. This is a tactical conflict between the core players."
With 1 minute and 18 seconds left, Pippen missed a jump shot, and O'Neal grabbed the rebound. The Lakers launched a counterattack, and Fisher passed the ball to Kobe. Kobe drove into the paint, drawing two defenders, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw O'Neal following up. He hesitated for half a second before finally tossing the ball up.
O'Neal dunks an alley-oop.
92-89.
The camera zooms in on the OK Duo giving each other a high five.
Lin Qi noticed that Kobe's expression seemed somewhat strained, but more so relieved.
"Compromise doesn't mean the chemistry is working," Lin Qi added. "This instinctive choice under pressure isn't enough to mask the deep-seated cracks in their relationship. Cutting ties would leave them fighting alone."
In the following possession, the Trail Blazers missed several shots. O'Neal made one of two free throws, bringing the score to 93-89. The Lakers took a 3-2 lead and secured the match point.
On the screen, the OK Duo briefly hugged before parting ways.
Lin Qi turned on the lights in the video booth. He turned to look at the players sitting there.
"This is the opponent we're going to face next," Lin Qi said. "An incredibly talented team. They have the most dominant center, a two-way perimeter star, and a coach who has won six championships."
"But the video also exposed problems," Lin Qi tapped the clipboard. "Today, Brian Shaw only had one three-pointer, and A.C. Green only scored 2 points. Their bench is aging significantly. As long as we cut off the connection between the starters and keep the score close during transition periods, or if any of their players get into foul trouble, the Lakers ' bench depth will be a problem."
Garnett stared at the clipboard. "We'll handle it."
"The prerequisite is that the execution must be in place." Lin Qi nodded.
Doc Rivers put down the scouting report, " Lin Qi, why are you so sure the Lakers will advance? The Trail Blazers still have a chance at home; they have veterans like Pippen and Sabonis."
" The Lakers have Shaq's inside advantage, Kobe's one-on-one ability, and one more thing..." Lin Qi pointed to the black screen, "... the person who knows Pippen best is sitting on the Lakers ' coaching bench."
" Phil Jackson knew Pippen's every habit and technique inside and out. When the Trail Blazers ' core playmaker was completely figured out, the advantage of experience disappeared."
Doc Rivers frowned. "Just because of that?"
Lin Qi paused for a moment.
"And then there's intuition," Lin Qi said calmly but confidently. "After analyzing the data and video footage, what's left is intuition. The Lakers will win the series."
He placed his hands on the table, looking at everyone. "And we, we're going to beat them in the NBA Finals."
The video recording room fell silent.
Lin Qi began assigning tasks:
" Dikembe," he said, looking at Mutombo, "Starting tomorrow, watch O'Neal's low-post highlights every day. Familiarize yourself with his post-up moves and power generation points."
"Understood." Mutombo nodded.
" Kevin," Lin Qi turned to Garnett, "Speed up the help defense rotations. After double-teaming Shaq, you must quickly find your own defender."
"Leave it to me," Garnett replied.
" Chris Paul," Lin Qi looked at Pierce, " Peja's strength is a weakness. Be prepared to take him down one-on-one—back-to-the-basket moves, pull-ups, step-backs—whatever technique you use, wear him down on offense."
Pierce nodded. "No problem."
" Gary," Lin Qi, looking at Gary Payton, "Put physical contact on Fisher, don't let him comfortably position himself to pass, disrupt their offensive initiation."
Gary Payton chewed his gum. "I'll keep an eye on him."
" Eddie," Lin Qi said, looking at Jones, "You should study Kobe's tapes more. He's technically gifted and young, but physically weak. You need to use defensive discipline and physicality to limit him."
Jones nodded emphatically.
"Ben, Rasheed," Lin Qi said, turning to the Wallace Duo last. "You two are important rotation players in the paint. When Dikembe and Kevin are off the court, you need to keep Shaq outside the paint. Maintain intensity and don't give him easy access to the ball."
Lin Qi straightened up.
"Gentlemen, the Eastern Conference title is not the end."
" The Lakers are not without weaknesses. Shaq's stamina, Kobe's choices, and the depth of their bench are all areas we can exploit."
"Execute the tactics to the extreme, magnify their weaknesses." Lin Qi pointed out the window, "For Boston's 18th flag, see you at the training facility at eight o'clock tomorrow morning."
The players gradually got up and left. Only Lin Qi and Doc Rivers remained in the video room.
"You're talking about intuition... This is the first time I've heard the word 'intuition' from you. It's almost unlike you." Doc Rivers looked at him.
Lin Qi was speechless to himself. Was he supposed to tell him that these were all his memories?
"It's true," Lin Qi said. "Beyond tactical analysis, I still believe in this judgment."
Doc Rivers nodded. "I trust you. After all, you haven't been wrong so far. Your intuition... is very accurate."
After Doc Rivers left, Lin Qi turned off the light.
Stepping out of the training facility, the Boston evening breeze was slightly cool. The New Garden stood tall in the night.
How will history unfold?
Lin Qi asked himself, "Was the original 2000 NBA Finals supposed to be Lakers vs. Pacers?"
And now, this Celtics, built by Lin Qi himself, is standing on the edge of the final stage.
Over the years, Lin Qi has vaguely felt that time and space may have inertia.
But now that we've come this far, all that's left is to give it our all.