By the end of the third quarter, the Lakers had taken a 1-point lead over the Celtics!
In these two quarters, the Celtics' initial use of "isolation plays" had exposed some deficiencies, as their coordination wasn't quite up to scratch.
The Lakers increased the number of double-teams in these two quarters and collapsed on drives more often, but the rest of the team's supportive coordination still needed improvement.
Although Auerbach had taken into account the physical toll on Zhang Yang, Bird, and McHale, there were still oversights.
In the final quarter, the Celtics rallied, and the Lakers, their spirits lifted by overcoming the score deficit, fiercely contended with their opponents.
In the final quarter, the Celtics' offense sprang back into action, scoring 35 points, but unfortunately, the Lakers were even more ruthless, scoring 38 points!
At 10:24 in the evening, the final whistle blew.
