The Pacers continued their defensive strategy from the previous game, putting pressure on Yao in the paint and Kobe on the perimeter right from the start.
The Lakers...
There weren't any significant changes!
Bill Walton felt that the Lakers must have made more detailed adjustments, but as long as their overall strategy still relied on Yao in the early stages and on Kobe later on, then the Pacers' defense was basically clamping down on their "Achilles' heel."
The role players for the Lakers had a slight resurgence compared to the previous game tonight.
Therefore, in the first quarter, the Pacers couldn't quickly establish a 10-point lead like in the previous game.
However, Rick Carlisle didn't abandon this defensive strategy just because the Lakers' role players had more successful shots.
If you Lakers can knock us out with Odom and Fisher, then prove it!
As it turned out...
They really couldn't!
