The Lakers initiated their offense.
Unlike the first quarter, Kobe increased his shot attempts in the second.
Phil Jackson devised a new strategy, granting Kobe unlimited shooting freedom.
In reality, Kobe's shots already accounted for nearly a quarter of the team's total, but they were mostly jump shots, with few drives into the paint.
This was also why Kobe was often mocked by his detractors during crucial moments.
"Clang!"
This time, Kobe's mid-range jump shot missed, and Gasol fought hard to secure the offensive rebound.
Tang Long watched, preventing him from getting an alley-oop, and Gasol easily executed a Euro step, absorbing Tang Long's force while hooking the ball in.
This move was quite clever; Tang Long wanted to block it but was in a bad position.
31-43.
"Ref, he pushed him, aren't you going to call it?"
After the hook shot went in, Gasol turned to the referee and complained.
The referee turned his head away in disdain. The ball had clearly gone in, and this guy still wanted a foul and a chance for a three-point play?
Furthermore, within the painted area, Tang Long's defense was clean. How could he call Tang Long for pushing?
"Paul, move aside, don't block me from inbounding the ball."
Tang Long had indeed tugged Gasol just now, but not with much force.
He was reminding Gasol not to put pressure on the referee; such minor contact wouldn't be called.
"Ref, you saw that, wasn't that intentional pushing?"
The referee was completely exasperated.
He pointed to the Lakers' basket area and then glanced at Tang Long, signaling for Tang Long to inbound the ball quickly, as he was getting annoyed by Gasol's incessant complaints.
After the ball was inbounded, James received it and cut inside. Facing defensive resistance, he pulled out and attempted a jump shot.
Clang!
Like Kobe, the sound of a missed shot echoed.
James's touch was off today as well; his shooting percentage hadn't even reached 50% so far, making only one shot out of every two or three attempts. His touch was truly poor.
Fortunately, Tang Long grabbed the offensive rebound and followed up with a put-back dunk!
33-43.
With over three minutes passed in the second quarter, the score difference remained at ten points.
The Lakers' advantage was becoming more apparent on the court. While the Cavaliers could maintain the pace of scoring, their plays lacked cohesion.
It was mostly Tang Long grabbing offensive rebounds, or others taking contested jump shots; the systematic plays were rarely seen.
As the game progressed, the team with better coordination would naturally win.
At three minutes and fifty seconds into the second quarter, the Lakers had possession.
Kobe drove in as usual. Drew Gooden and Larry Hughes double-teamed him. Kobe faked a shot and then passed the ball to Odom.
Odom received the ball and didn't rush his attack. He tapped the ball to someone coming out of the paint, and the ball returned to Kobe.
Kobe, with no other choice, had to take a jump shot.
Another miss!
The Cavaliers grabbed the rebound and launched a fast break.
This time, Tang Long didn't pass. He dribbled the ball himself like a leopard, heading straight for the Lakers' basket.
"Defense!"
Phil Jackson yelled for his players to defend, but before the Lakers could set up their defense, Tang Long had already charged forward, his speed blindingly fast!
Aomine Daiki's [Hyper Speed Dribble].
With Tang Long in the Zone, his speed was incredible. The two Lakers players had just started to converge on him when he had already slipped through the gap between them.
Before Pau Gasol could even raise his hands to attempt a block, the ball had already entered the hoop.
A layup for two points.
35-43.
The Cavaliers retreated quickly after scoring. As soon as they returned to their defensive end, the Lakers were already attacking.
Kobe, sticking close to Larry Hughes, drove into the paint. Facing the help defense from Drew Gooden, he chose to trust his teammate this time.
He passed the ball to Gasol. Gasol posted up with Tang Long behind him.
He made a slight move, intending to take a fadeaway jumper. However, as soon as he turned and jumped, Tang Long's palm swung out!
"What are you trying to do? Get down!"
Tang Long roared, and Gasol was solidly blocked!
The ball flew out, landing right in LeBron James's hands.
Pavlovic screened Kobe's path, creating enough space for James. LeBron drove to the basket and dunked the ball over Odom!
On the ensuing possession, the Cavaliers adopted a full-court press defense.
Pavlovic was waiting at half-court for the inbound pass. As soon as the ball was thrown, he intercepted it. A hurried Odom immediately fouled Pavlovic.
He made both free throws!
37-43.
After this basket, the Cavaliers' morale visibly increased.
The Lakers players no longer dared to be careless. Kobe, with the ball, didn't choose to force a drive. He needed to stabilize the game now, requiring a coordinated play.
Utilizing a strong pick-and-roll, Kobe used Odom's screen to drive to the basket. Tang Long had just arrived when Kobe shot.
If it were anyone else, they might have just waited and watched.
After all, it was Kobe shooting, and he had teammates near the basket; it didn't matter if he went for the rebound or not.
Why bother running?
However, after Kobe released the ball, Tang Long didn't hesitate and continued to charge towards the basket.
Clang!
The shot missed.
The Cavaliers and Lakers players engaged in a battle for the rebound. Tang Long, using his momentum from running, came from behind and tipped the ball out!
Drew Gooden received Tang Long's tipped ball and pushed it forward, with Larry Hughes trailing him into the paint.
A two-on-one situation. The Lakers' defenders simply focused on Drew Gooden, who had the ball.
Drew Gooden passed the ball to Larry Hughes in the paint, who easily laid it in.
39-43.
The Cavaliers went on a run, narrowing the deficit to just four points.
Beep!
The referee's whistle blew. Phil Jackson quickly called for a timeout.
...
"Do you think this game will be like the previous ones, where the Cavaliers trailed significantly in the first quarter, then mounted a comeback and eventually won?"
"It's possible; the Cavaliers are playing quite intelligently right now."
Zhang commented excitedly, "The Cavaliers' tightened defense, while giving the Lakers opportunities from outside, has been met with poor shooting from their perimeter players. They can only maintain scoring efficiency by attacking the inside, and this is where Tang Long's value shines!"
"Phil Jackson will definitely need to make adjustments," Yang Yi interjected. "Fischer and Jordan Farmar have a clear advantage on the court. Jordan Farmar alone as point guard can't organize the offense, and Odom and Gasol haven't been playing comfortably in the second quarter."
"So, what do you think the Cavaliers should do to counter this strategy?"
"It depends on whether the Cavaliers can defend Jordan Farmar's penetration."
"The key is that Jordan Farmar's speed can easily accelerate the Cavaliers' tempo, which will relieve some pressure on Kobe."
"They still need to defend Kobe well!"
...
The twenty-second timeout passed quickly.
The Cavaliers still did not make any substitutions. The Lakers, on the other hand, fielded Jordan Farmar and Derek Fisher to play with two point guards.
As soon as play resumed, Jordan Farmar received a pass from Fisher and drove into the paint.
Gasol and Odom screened Tang Long from both sides, creating space for Jordan Farmar to lay the ball up.
39-45.
With Jordan Farmar on the court, the Lakers' tempo suddenly quickened!