The first five minutes of the third quarter were a stalemate.
The OK Combination unleashed immense energy, relying purely on their individual one-on-one skills to shake the very foundation of the Pacers' defense.
The Pacers' defense was arguably the best in the league, but they were facing the best active center and the best active shooting guard.
The "best center" title was undisputed. As for "best shooting guard," perhaps Iverson and Tracy McGrady would disagree, but even so, the three of them were in a class of their own.
The Pacers, on the other hand, continued to rely on their team-based strategy. Su Xi was the tip of the spear, Little O'Neal was the primary scorer, Artest and Miller flanked them, and Foster would occasionally sneak in for an easy bucket.
If the game continued on this trajectory, the Pacers had a very high chance of winning the championship tonight.
O'Neal's stamina was draining, and he still had to contend with the Hack-a-Shaq strategy.
