276: 120: The Light King and His Knights!
(Requesting monthly tickets!)_3 276: 120: The Light King and His Knights!
(Requesting monthly tickets!)_3 Phil Jackson was now sure that Marciulionis was not just a shooting option in the third quarter.
He was also a highly threatening passing option!
The Bulls’ oppressive defense in the third quarter aimed to force the opponent to pass more and make more mistakes, then capitalize on these mistakes to launch counterattacks.
So, after Brian Hill brought Saru in, all three of the Magic’s perimeter players had the ability to quickly move the ball under pressure!
As long as they could pass the ball quickly to the right person during the oppressive defense, they could completely tear it apart!
Bulls fans could hardly believe that the Magic were actually leading by 9 points, no, Michael Jordan would definitely make a comeback in time!
Unfortunately, their basketball god today couldn’t find his mark under the Magic’s bone-deep defense.
In the third quarter, in addition to coping with the Bulls’ deadly pressure, the Magic still maintained their defensive intensity.
Harper had just continued to doggedly guard Jordan, who, after finally getting the ball, immediately attempted a fadeaway jumper but missed under the double team of Roger and Harper.
“Damn, is that the basketball god’s shooting?
No wonder people say Jerry Stackhouse resembles you.” Roger’s trash talk was as punctual as a subway train.
Jordan became annoyed.
He then successfully stole Roger’s pass to Saru in the next defensive play and launched a successful counterattack, narrowing the score.
No way, no matter how capable the Magic were in passing the ball, it was impossible to make no mistakes under the Bulls’ murderous pressure.
Roger knew well that the Bulls had three players this season who could be selected for the All-Defense First Team!
Trying to pass the ball without making mistakes under the vigilant eyes of three top defenders was almost an impossible task.
But the problem was, the Magic only needed to hold on through the third quarter.
As long as they could ensure not to be overtaken or pulled apart by the Bulls in the third quarter, then the fourth quarter would be their time to slaughter!
Because by that time, the Bulls would definitely be exhausted!
If the Bulls could not finish off the Magic in the third quarter, then the Magic would complete the comeback in the fourth quarter.
This was a game where if you can’t kill me, you’ll die!
So, getting intercepted once in a while didn’t affect the overall situation.
As long as they could hold on, hold on was enough!
The game continued, and as the rotation players came in, the Bulls gradually started to eat into the Magic’s lead.
Harper’s defense could not last an entire quarter, he needed a break.
Saru also lacked the stamina to play the whole quarter, he needed a break too.
Roger was the same, he needed to conserve more energy for the fourth quarter showdown, so he also needed rest.
Taking advantage of this time, the Bulls managed to turn the score into a 2-point lead.
But Phil Jackson couldn’t be happy at all, as the Bulls only won by 2 points against the Magic in the third quarter, meaning the Bulls’ strangulation strategy hadn’t succeeded!
In the tenth minute of the third quarter, as Roger, Harper, and Saru came back in succession, they continued to skillfully exploit the quick passing avenues.
Roger first assisted Saru in making a mid-range shot.
A possession later, Harper then assisted a cutting Saru for a floater score.
Not only did the Bulls fail to widen the score, but they were also overtaken by the Magic once again!
Thankfully, in the next possession Pippen received a pass from Jordan in a double team, and his open three-pointer was successful, allowing the Bulls to regain the lead.
However, they only led by 1 point.
Roger smirkingly looked at Jordan, who again chose to pass: “Nice pass Michael, keep it up, you’ve managed to lead us by a whole 1 point for the third quarter, awesome!”
Doesn’t Black Jesus like to hear the harsh truth?”
Roger and Jordan trash-talked each other as they ran past half court.
The Magic offense, this time the Bulls’ rotation and pressure felt like that infamous banzai charge on the Pacific battlefield, almost frenzied.
From the beginning of defense, Michael Jordan never stopped moving.
He pressured Saru, then immediately double teamed Roger after Saru passed.
When Roger passed to Harper, he quickly joined the double team on Harper.
Eventually, Harper passed it back to Saru, and Jordan tirelessly got back into position, leaving no gap.
Not just Jordan, all the Bulls players poured everything into this defensive play, incessantly moving and sprinting at the defensive end.
They all knew, even a 1-point advantage had to be preserved.
Otherwise, the third quarter was really just a waste of energy!
The Bulls succeeded, under their relentless double teams and pressure, the ball went around among all the Magic players without creating a scoring opportunity.
In the end, Roger could only shoot under the double team of Jordan and Dumars.
The basketball rimmed out; such a difficult shot, not making it worse was already a favor to the home fans.
However, at least the Magic didn’t make a turnover, giving the Bulls no chance for a counterattack.
After that round, Roger saw that including Jordan, all the key players of the Bulls were gasping for air.
The Bulls’ old timers, after the intense third-quarter pressure, started to deteriorate in stamina, and that added round had completely drained them
At the sideline, Brian Hill nodded in satisfaction, the Bulls were now entirely digging their own graves.
Jordan took control of the ball for this offensive, with 28 seconds left in the third quarter, if the Bulls made this shot, they could extend their lead slightly.