Phil Jackson frowned and was forced to substitute O'Neal Jr. with veteran A.C. Green.
Green is experienced and has a very stable lower body, able to withstand Rasheed and Garnett's back-to-the-basket attacks, but his lateral movement has severely deteriorated. Seeing that he couldn't move, Rasheed immediately switched to facing the basket, using a series of feints and step-back mid-range shots to leave Green helpless.
However, just as the Celtics' two interior stars were scoring consecutively, Big Shark demonstrated his ability to protect the rim.
Late in the first quarter, Garnett attempted a hook shot against Green, but O'Neal on the weak side lunged forward and swatted the ball out of bounds with a loud "smack!"
A minute later, Rasheed's face-up drive was also blocked by O'Neal.
At the end of the first quarter, the Celtics led 28-24 by 4 points.
In the second quarter, the game became even more closely contested.
Kobe began to change tactics, trying to use O'Neal's screens to get rid of Eddie Jones. But as soon as Kobe got out of the screen, Rasheed or Garnett would immediately delay him, while Eddie Jones would desperately squeeze through the screen and get back on Kobe.
Kobe struggled under Boston's tight defense. In the first half, Kobe only made 3 of 12 shots, scoring 7 points. Meanwhile, O'Neal dominated in the paint, racking up 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks in the first half, desperately keeping the Lakers ' offense afloat.
At halftime, the Celtics led 58-50, an eight-point advantage.
During halftime, Phil Jackson made adjustments in the locker room: he asked Kobe to reduce his one-on-one plays and increase his off-ball movement to receive and finish plays. He also asked O'Neal to expand his help defense area on the defensive end.
At the start of the third quarter, the Lakers ' tactical changes proved effective. Kobe repeatedly used screens to run and finish with jump shots before Eddie Jones could catch up, scoring 5 points in a row. On the defensive end, O'Neal once again blocked Garnett's strong attack, Lakers capitalized on the momentum to launch a fast break, bringing the score to 58-57.
Seeing their lead about to be eroded, Lin Qi walked to the sidelines and gave Doc Rivers a wink. "Have Kevin move to the high post."
After the timeout, the Celtics made a clever change to their formation. Garnett no longer stayed in the low post, but moved directly to the free-throw line and even the top of the three-point arc. O'Neal Jr. was forced to come out to defend him.
This time, Garnett faced O'Neal Jr. head-on. He lowered his center of gravity and chose to drive straight to the basket! O'Neal Jr. was a fraction of a second too slow to move to the side, and Garnett drove into the edge of the paint, facing O'Neal who hadn't had time to help defend, and pulled up for a mid-range jump shot.
"Whoosh!"
A sure hit.
In the next possession, Garnett received the ball at the high post again. As O'Neal Jr. closed in, Garnett showcased his top-tier power forward playmaking ability, delivering a precise high-low bounce pass to Rasheed, who was boxing out Green in the low post. Rasheed caught the ball and instantly turned and hooked it in. Because Garnett had drawn O'Neal to the strong side, the Big Shark had no time to help defend, and the ball swished through the net!
This is the chemical reaction Lin Qi wanted to see.
When Garnett moved to the high post, he not only avoided O'Neal's help defense in the paint, but also completely tore apart the Lakers ' interior defense. If O'Neal rushed out, Pierce and Gary Payton could take the opportunity to cut in. If O'Neal stayed inside, Garnett's high post jump shot could easily score.
In the latter part of the third quarter, with Garnett's high-post playmaking, Boston's offense flowed smoothly, and a 12-4 run completely stabilized the situation. After three quarters, the Celtics led 70-61 by 9 points.
The fourth quarter marks the decisive moment.
Trailing, the Lakers launched a furious comeback. O'Neal overpowered Mutombo in the low post, twice shoving past defenders for powerful dunks, completing 2+1 plays.
With six minutes remaining, the score was 90-86, a difference of only four points.
The air in the New Garden seemed to freeze.
"Give the ball to Kobe!" Phil Jackson shouted from the sidelines.
O'Neal was surrounded by three Celtics with great determination, and he managed to pass the ball to Kobe on the outside.
Kobe received the ball at a 45-degree angle on the right side, facing Eddie Jones ' defense. He lowered his center of gravity, switching the ball between his legs repeatedly, trying to create space with his signature crossover step.
At that moment, Eddie Jones's mind flashed back to the scene in the recording studio late last Late Night when Lin Qi pressed the pause button. "Notice his shoulder drop after his probing step. Once he chooses to make a strong drive to the right, what you need to do is 'stick close' and 'slow him down,' forcing him into our trap."
Just as Kobe lowered his shoulders and accelerated, attempting to force his way through from the right, Jones slid half a beat ahead, precisely blocking Kobe's path. He spread his long arms, providing ample physical contact, and forcefully stopped Kobe's first step with his chest.
Kobe frowned, realizing there was absolutely no space to break through, and was forced to stop the ball. He was preparing to turn and force his way to a release point for a fadeaway jumper. But the Celtics ' defensive trap had now officially closed in.
Just as Kobe turned and shifted his weight, Gary Payton decisively double-teamed him from the weak side.
Gary Payton's timing for the help defense was impeccable. The instant Eddie Jones blocked Kobe's vision and restricted his movements, Gary Payton struck with precision, slapping the basketball away from Kobe's hands with a "smack".
Steal successful!
Kobe was still frustrated after losing possession of the ball when the Celtics ' counterattack was already underway.
"Run!"
Gary Payton yelled, grabbed the basketball from the floor, and sprinted forward at full speed.
Eddie Jones, who had just been guarding Kobe, immediately transformed from a defensive stalwart into a fast-break weapon. He sprinted down the left flank, his long, powerful legs moving with incredible speed, instantly shaking off the Lakers ' retreating defenders.
A two-on-one situation was created in the frontcourt.
Gary Payton glanced at the defender's position as he sped along, then suddenly flicked his wrist near the free-throw line, tossing the ball high above the basket.
Eddie Jones arrived in a flash and leaped into the air. He stretched his body in mid-air, caught Gary Payton's pass with both hands, and slammed it heavily onto the basket.
"Boom!"
A powerful alley-oop two-handed dunk!
92-86!
From suffocating defense to steal and counter-attack, the whole process was swift and decisive. After landing, Eddie Jones excitedly pounded his chest and gave Gary Payton, who rushed over, a heavy high-five.
Meanwhile, in the VIP box on the sidelines, Lin Qi watched this scene with a satisfied smile on his lips.
The special video training session specifically designed for Kobe before the game finally paid off at this moment.
With 55 seconds left in the game, Kobe forced a three-pointer over Eddie Jones's defense, and the basketball bounced high off the back of the rim.
Garnett grabbed the rebound amidst the crowd, forcing the Lakers to immediately resort to fouling.
Gary Payton and Pierce held their nerve, making four consecutive free throws to widen the gap significantly.
"Beep..."
The final whistle blew, and the score was 102-91.
The Boston Celtics won this extremely intense Game 1 of the NBA Finals at home.
The director quickly displayed the key statistics of the match for both teams on the large screen in the dome.
Los Angeles Lakers.
Shaquille O'Neal O'Neal: 28 points, 17 rebounds, 3 blocks. Despite facing a relentless attack from Boston's interior defense, he still managed a double-double, but it wasn't enough.
Kobe Brian: 14 points, 6-for-15 shooting. Facing Eddie Jones ' tight defense and Gary Payton's help defense, Kobe had his most struggling game of this year's playoffs.
Derrick Fisher: 16 points. This is the price the Celtics paid for their heavy defense against Kobe. Because Gary Payton focused too much on help defense, he was often unable to get back into position in time, allowing Fisher to exploit open shots on the perimeter and hit several punishing three-pointers.
Peja Stojaković: 12 points. He was repeatedly targeted and isolated by Pierce on the defensive end, and the huge strain on the defensive end also slowed down his shooting rhythm on the offensive end, resulting in a poor shooting percentage. However, his final score was still slightly higher than his average level.
Jermaine O'Neal Jr.: 4 points, 2 rebounds. Facing the relentless attacks from Garnett and Rasheed in the paint, the young center completely lost his way, delivering only this dismal performance throughout the game.
Boston Celtics.
Kevin Garnett: 28 points, 16 rebounds, 8 assists. He perfectly played the role of a high-post pivot, and made many exquisite inside passes with Rasheed.
Rasheed Wallace: 24 points, 9 rebounds, including 3-for-5 from three-point range. His accurate outside shooting was key to the Celtics' ability to stretch the paint.
Chris Paul Pierce: 25 points. He accurately exploited Peja's weaknesses on offense, such as his slender build and lack of physical strength, and repeatedly scored against him in one-on-one situations.
Gary Payton: 13 points, 9 assists. Faced with his teammates' hot shooting, he deliberately restrained his personal offense and perfectly orchestrated the team's tactical operation.
Eddie Jones: 8 points. Although his scoring wasn't dazzling, he was the absolute hero on the defensive end, limiting Kobe tonight.
Inside the New Garden, nearly 20,000 fans stood up.
Cheers of "Beat LA!" and "1-0!" swept through the stadium.
The Celtics players greeted each other on the court. Garnett raised his arms in response to the stands, Pierce pumped his fist excitedly, while Gary Payton appeared relatively calm.
Lin Qi stood on the sidelines with his hands in his trouser pockets, watching the electrifying stadium.
Winning the first game is just the beginning; the NBA Finals are far from a time to relax.
Meanwhile, on the other end of the court, the atmosphere on the Lakers ' bench was somber.
O'Neal, wrapped in a towel, sat on the bench, panting heavily. With 28 points and 17 rebounds, he had practically torn through Boston's paint, Mutombo simply couldn't defend him, but the score difference on the scoreboard was still glaringly obvious. His face was extremely gloomy.
Kobe stood expressionless to the side. His 6-for-15 shooting percentage, coupled with Eddie Jones's relentless defense throughout the night, made his offense extremely difficult.
Phil Jackson, the " Zen Master," clapped his hands and walked among the players.
"Lift your head," he said calmly. "It's just a loss; Boston only held onto their first home court."
He glanced around the bench. "We'll adjust our rhythm for the second game in two days."
O'Neal pulled the towel off his head and stared at the Celtics players celebrating in the distance.
"Game Two," O'Neal stood up, his voice deep, "I'll make Boston's interior players pay."
Kobe didn't say anything. He simply zipped up his training uniform, turned around, and walked into the player tunnel without looking back amidst the commotion.