Pope of Basketball.

Summary

. Yao Ming had an impressive performance, scoring 11 points in just 7 minutes, while Shaquille O'Neal scored 8 points in 12 minutes. Kobe Bryant excelled with 19 points and 4 assists in a single quarter, overshadowing Eddie Jones. Coach Rui Yang strategically substituted Yao Ming to manage his stamina and maximize his offensive impact. The game featured a showdown between Yao Ming and O'Neal, with Di Ao Pu guarding O'Neal. Di Ao was benched despite his triple-doubles, as his playstyle overlapped with Yao Ming's. The Heat's Ka Long Butler posed a challenge for Ariza, who struggled in practice but was effective in defense. Dwyane Wade scored 11 points but faced limitations within the system. The Lakers led 112-70 in the final quarter, with Ke Bi dominating the stats. Yao Ming added 6 points, totaling 29 points and 11 rebounds. The Heat conceded the game, facing despair as the Lakers aimed for a decisive victory on Christmas night. .

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