Chapter 880: No One Knows How to Make a Comeback Better Than Me!

The commentators from the three TV stations broadcasting this game all stated that the Lakers have already locked in the victory!

Based on tonight’s confrontation and rhythm, a 10-point lead is a huge gap for the Knicks!

Not to mention the Knicks, even if the Lakers tried to widen the gap by another 10 points, they wouldn’t be able to do it.

The Lakers played so well in the second quarter, and they only managed to go from trailing by 1 point to a 6-point lead, a 7-point difference; as the third quarter is nearing its end, the Lakers have only managed to stretch it by another 4 points.

Moreover, the 4-point lead created in the third quarter might still be reduced, the Knicks still have one more attack!

But this also means that if the Knicks enter the final quarter trailing by 10 points, the chances of a comeback are slim!

Of course, a 10-point difference, to be honest, isn’t really that big, the Knicks haven’t given up.

In the last attack of the third quarter, John Starks, who was rotated onto the court, pushed to the frontcourt without wasting time. Doug Christie didn’t expect John Starks to directly break through when there were still 13 seconds left in the third quarter, and neither did the Knicks players.

John Starks directly drove into the paint and quickly took a shot…

Others didn’t react, but O’Neal, who was already having a great night with 20 points, 17 rebounds, and 7 blocks, reacted and went up for a flying block!

John Starks’ quick close-range floater was swatted away, and Zhang Hao, who was a step slow to retrieve the ball, managed to snag it and pushed for a fast break!

Zhang Hao’s fast break dunk was spectacular, but what he heard was not the cheers of the fans; instead, during the fast break, he heard exclamations that were not out of excitement, but out of fear!

While charging into the basket, pushing through the recovering Alan Houston and slamming the ball into the hoop, Zhang Hao was cautiously on guard against a flagrant foul, though the dunk was beautiful, he was very worried about being fouled aggressively.

However, the dunk was completed, and there was no flagrant foul.

Suddenly, Zhang Hao sensed something was wrong and turned to look…

O’Neal was lying on the floor clutching his ankle, and the “Reebok-DunkMman” shoes on his foot had burst open!

“What the hell!”

…

The Great Western Forum was filled with cries of lament, as at the most exciting moment for the fans, Lakers players, and the coaching staff, O’Neal had landed awkwardly from his block attempt and his shoe burst open, making it clear that he twisted his ankle and fell to the ground hard.

It should’ve been the Knicks’ last attack, but Jeff Van Gundy, in a gentlemanly manner, despite being anxious due to the 12-point deficit, called a timeout to allow the Lakers a player substitution.

The main purpose was to let the Lakers’ medical team have the opportunity to immediately check on O’Neal.

O’Neal had good relationships with most of his teammates, and upon hearing the timeout, many gathered around quickly but refrained from touching him recklessly.

It looked like his ankle was twisted, but considering such a massive body fell with a “boom” on the floor, who knows what else might be injured.

Nevertheless, one must admit, O’Neal’s physical condition is astonishingly good, not only managing to carry over 130 kilograms around the court at full speed but also being super resilient!

The team doctor’s initial diagnosis showed that O’Neal had no other issues; his arm had a bruise from hitting the floor, but it was just painful. His ankle’s initial diagnosis was a sprain, possibly more serious than his previous injury, but a more detailed examination was needed at the hospital, including an MRI, X-rays, etc.

Anyway, he cannot play in this game!

O’Neal, supported by Ben Wallace and Lumir Robinson, walked towards the player tunnel, and after their lament, the live audience gave a round of applause.

The 100-second long timeout passed quickly, and for the Lakers’ final defense, Zhang Hao and Jerome Kersey, along with Barkley, were sent in as the frontcourt trio, with Brian Shaw and Doug Christie on the outside.

The Knicks decisively attacked inside, with Larry Johnson turning around and making a layup against Zhang Hao.

As the last 2.2 seconds saw Zhang Hao’s half-court heave miss.

After three quarters, the Lakers and Knicks were tied at 61 to 51, with the Lakers holding a 10-point lead going into the break.

…

The interval wasn’t shorts, but neither was it much longer than a long timeout; Del Harris calmly made adjustments to the tactics and lineup, sending in the lineup of Kenny Anderson, Doug Christie, George Lynch, Jason Williams, and Zhang Hao.

Thinking about the moment of O’Neal’s injury, Del Harris felt like Reebok’s stock would drop… No, wait, it was an indescribable pain!

Luckily, the initial diagnosis showed O’Neal’s injury wasn’t particularly serious, but just when their synergy was showing results tonight against the Knicks’ pressure, it was a terrible stroke of luck that O’Neal got injured.

Regardless of what happens later, tonight, it’s going to be difficult!

The Lakers are not like the Knicks, whose main players are all excellent on both offense and defense. The Knicks’ defense is a collective effort, and even without Ewing, it doesn’t weaken significantly.

But the Lakers are different. They are more like the Rockets during their back-to-back championship days; if Olajuwon was injured back then, it affected not just the offense but had the greatest impact on defense, which is why the Rockets had such a poor regular-season record in their 94-95 championship defense year.

The Lakers are able to play such defense because of O’Neal’s all-out effort, exceptional diligence, and willingness to do the dirty and tiring work after the All-Star weekend.

Moreover, with O’Neal sidelined due to injury, the Lakers’ offense would also be significantly affected. Facing ordinary strong defensive teams is fine, with Kenny Anderson and Zhang Hao being enough to cope, but against the Knicks, whose defense ranks in the top five or even top three in the league’s Hard Corps, it’s going to be tough!