Pope of Basketball.

Summary

The chapter details the first playoff battle between the Lakers and Mavericks on June 8. The Lakers, led by Yang Rui, made strategic adjustments, starting Ao Duo Mu to counter Nuo Wei Si Ji. Ke Bi had an outstanding performance, scoring 25 points in the first quarter and finishing the game with 51 points. The Mavericks struggled defensively, particularly with Dan Pi Er being a liability. The Lakers won decisively, 137 to 102, and followed up with another victory, 121 to 90. The Mavericks' key players, Nuo Wei Si Ji and Terry, had poor shooting games, and their defense was ineffective against the Lakers' offensive strategies. The Lakers' bench also contributed significantly, with players like Ellis and Wan Ton making impactful plays. In the third game, Yao Ming excelled, scoring 41 points and breaking his personal record for three-pointers. The Mavericks managed to win the fourth game, tying the series 1-3. However, the Lakers dominated in the fifth game, with Kobe and Yao Ming leading the team to a 123-100 victory, eliminating the Mavericks 4-1. The chapter concludes with a comparison of the Spurs and Grizzlies series, highlighting the competitive landscape of the playoffs, where the Lakers maintained an advantage regardless of the outcome.

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