The referee tossed the ball, and O'Neal won the jump ball again, the only one in the season on the jump ball O'Neal.

Bryant received the jump ball and advanced to the front court with possession.

"Boy, I'm here to defend you today." Mario Eli's strong body blocked Kobe Bryant.

Bryant had anticipated Rudy Tomjanovich's response, and the defensive set-up was exactly what he expected.

Bryant threw the ball to O'Neal under the basket and then quickly cut to the basket.

O'Neill leaned on Olajuwon and lifted the ball high. He didn't rush to attack, but instead watched Kobe's movement.

Mario Eli clings to Kobe Bryant and cuts to the basket, his speed is a little too fast to keep up with Kobe, and Bryant first spares a lap with the help of O'Neal and Olajuwon. Mario Eli didn't lose. Bryant ran back behind Campbell's screen, pocketed to the perimeter, and received a pass from O'Neal.

Three-point shot, Mario Elie did not form an effective interference, the ball hit!

"Oh my god, Bryant's off-ball movement is an art, do you see James?" Goodrich marveled that Bryant's sophisticated running skills kept Mario Elie's ferocious defense on target.

"It's a beautiful get-away, a great three-point shot indeed. It reminds me of Reggie Miller. ”

Rudy Tomjanovic frowned, was actually found by Kobe Bryant in an instant?

It can't be, it's an incredible ability to observe the pitch.

But Rudy Tomjanovic didn't believe Kobe Bryant could break down the Big Three with his projection. In this day and age, are there players who can beat the Big Three with jump shots? Rudy Tomjanovic doesn't feel there.

"Mario, go on! You're well guarded! ”

Houston possessed the ball, dribbling guard Matt Maloney advanced to half-court and handed it to Barkley in the high post.

"Eldon, you'll never be able to stop me." Barkley hit a clean shot from mid-range, and Campbell, who was worried about Barkley's breakthrough, did not dare to pounce forward, so he could only watch Barkley hit the shot.

There was no temptation on both sides, and the most successful style of play was used at the beginning of the game.

They all know how important it is to win the first place in this game.

The Lakers' main tactic is that O'Neal holds the ball in the low post, attacks when he has the opportunity, and looks for Kobe Bryant who runs outside when he doesn't have the opportunity.

Bryant gave full play to his speed advantage and sense of movement, and deftly shook off the bulky Mario Elie to create a lot of shooting space.

And Barkley still grabbed Campbell's point, kept attacking, and he even pulled outside the three-point line, and Campbell didn't dare to follow. Watching Barkley also hit a long-range jumper with a ball non-stop.

Kobe Bryant and Barkley were the main theme of the opening game, and at the end of the first quarter, Bryant scored 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting and 2-of-4 three-pointers.

Barkley was 5-of-7 from the field and scored 11 points with ease.

The score is 22:20. The Lakers trailed by two points.

"Damn, we've given Barkley too many chances." Rambis sighed.

"If Ben and Kobe Bryant were on the court together, they could have limited Barkley, but O'Neal's offensive threat would have been greatly reduced."

"I think we can still try, Kobe Bryant's touch is very good, I think I can use him as the main point of attack."

"Do you put all the burden on Kobe?"

"Don't forget that he brought the win in the last game against Houston."

Harris pondered for a moment, then nodded.

At the beginning of the second quarter, the two sides switched to the bench lineup, and the Lakers were a rare 5-up-5 team. Houston sent Drexler to lead the bench.

"Rob, can you stop me?" Drexler and Horry have been teammates for a while, and they often go head-to-head in practice, while Horry has rarely won a game.

Horry didn't say a word, and he clung to Drexler. The Lakers' bench firepower is still very strong, and now they have three outside guns of Van Exel, Fisher, and Horry.

Horry played an important role on both ends of the floor, with Drexler in charge. Although the defense line was repeatedly torn apart by Drexler, it also played a role in attrition.

And the three-point rain of the Lakers' bench really took shape after the addition of Horry, and Fisher and Van Exel had the backbone. Not only can Horry shoot on his own, but he can also help sort out the team's offense so that the team's shooters can receive high-quality passes.

Houston's bench was a singles show by Kevin Willis and Drexler. Drexler was playing with good efficiency, but Kevin Willis was restrained by Big Ben.

Since the last time he played against the Jazz, Big Ben's defense has improved qualitatively. Kobe Bryant visually estimated that the current Big Ben should have 80% defensive ability at his peak.

After Kevin Willis was restricted, Drexler was alone, and the Lakers bench played a good advantage.

Midway through the second quarter, the two sides switched to the starters, and Rudy Tomjanovic was surprised to see Ben Wallace on the court.

"Excellent! The Lakers have a stupid move! Charles, bag O'Neal, front winding! Leave that undrafted draft alone. ”

O'Neill's face darkened.

"Shaq, isn't it possible to beat Olajuwon and Barkley at the same time to make you greater?" Kobe Bryant began to agitate, he was worried about O'Neal falling off the chain, and at the same time he knew what to say to O'Neal that would be most useful.

"Makes sense! Hahaha, if I can win both of them, then I think Olajuwon, the old guy, has something to say! ”

Bite! Flicker success.

The focus of the Lakers' offense is all on Kobe Bryant, and the blocking effect of O'Neal and Ben Wallace's two big walls is very good.

Coupled with Kobe's dexterous and slippery run, Mario Elie was exhausted.

As a result of this adjustment, O'Neal didn't have many shots, but the Lakers' offense remained super-efficient even after Bryant acted as the only endpoint.

Kobe Bryant's hand is hot today, and the shooting opportunity is so good that the basketball keeps hitting as if it is equipped with a navigator.

And the offense of Barkley and Olajuwon no longer has a crushing advantage against the defense of O'Neal and Ben Wallace.

They found that Ben Wallace, a draft pick with both strength and agility, seemed to be ubiquitous on the defensive end, Barkley could no longer get good shooting opportunities from the outside, and Olajuwon had to be distracted by Ben Wallace's help when dealing with O'Neal.

Olajuwon was still able to maintain a good shooting percentage under the help defense, but Barkley, who faced Ben Wallace head-on, had a headache. Ben Wallace's defense made it very difficult for Barkley to play.

Than power, at most 55 open.

Ben Wallace, who is faster, younger and of similar height, is a cut ahead.

Compared to experience, Ben Wallace is not shaken at all, he has eaten Kobe's feints countless times in training, and Barkley's feints must be crappy compared to Kobe.

At halftime, the Lakers overtook the score and led by eight points at 51:43. As the main point of attack, Kobe Bryant unleashed his offensive talent, scoring 23 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist on 9-of-15 shooting.

This is the lethality of Kobe Bryant who puts all his energy on the offensive end, and this is the terrible thing about Kobe Bryant who feels hot.

Give me the ball! I'll be able to get in!

Bryant's offense eclipsed the Houston Big Three.

Rudy Tomjanovic grabbed his little hair on the sidelines.

Houston, Danger.