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On April 23, the first round of the NBA 2004-05 playoffs kicked off.The Lakers traveled to Dallas to face the Mavericks in the first game of the series.
The Lakers, ranked fifth in the Western Conference, faced the fourth-seeded Mavericks without the advantage of a home court.
The Lakers' starting lineup featured the same key players from the regular season: Atkins, Kobe Bryant, Wang Chong, Odom, and Chris Mihm.
The Mavericks countered with Jason Terry, Michael Finley, Josh Howard, Dirk Nowitzki, and Eric Dampier.
Just comparing the starting lineups, the Lakers, boasting two All-Stars in Kobe and Wang Chong, clearly had the upper hand. However, the Mavericks had depth, with former All-Star Jerry Stackhouse coming off the bench, making it difficult to predict which team had the edge overall.
Both teams knew the key to victory rested on Kobe and Wang Chong. If both performed well, their offensive firepower would be overwhelming for the Mavericks, even with Nowitzki's talent.
Mavericks coach Avery Johnson, who took over mid-season and led the team to an impressive 16-2 finish, now had the challenge of figuring out how to stop Kobe and Wang Chong.
As soon as the game started, Kobe showed an aggressive intent to attack, putting immense pressure on the Mavericks' defense. Michael Finley, though a skilled scorer, struggled defensively. He couldn't match Kobe's intensity, and Kobe easily penetrated the Mavericks' defense, leading to an early foul trouble for center Eric Dampier. Less than five minutes into the game, Dampier already had two fouls and was forced to sit.
While Kobe alone was a challenge for the Mavericks, Wang Chong's presence became an even greater threat. Though Wang Chong only took five shots in the first quarter, his efficiency was lethal—knocking down 2 of 3 from three-point range, 1 of 2 from mid-range, and a perfect 2 of 2 from the free-throw line, tallying 10 points. Kobe, with 11 points, nearly matched him, and together, they helped the Lakers put up 26 points in the first quarter, compared to just 16 from the Mavericks.
The Mavericks were stunned. They had overtaken the Lakers in the regular season, yet found themselves trailing by 10 points after the first quarter in the playoffs.
In the second quarter, the Mavericks attempted to rally, with Stackhouse scoring six straight points to lead an 8-0 run, cutting the Lakers' lead to just two points. But Wang Chong wasn't about to let the game slip away. He responded with a quick seven points in one minute, pushing the lead back out of reach.
By halftime, the Lakers were up 52-40.
In the second half, the Mavericks fought hard but couldn't close the gap. Each time they got close, Wang Chong or Kobe would go on a scoring run. The Lakers closed the game with a 98-85 victory, claiming the first game of the series.
Kobe finished with 31 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Wang Chong, with his sharp shooting, tallied 27 points, including 15 from three-pointers. Together, they combined for 58 points, an unstoppable duo for the Mavericks.
The Mavericks, losing at home, were now in a precarious position. With the series tied 1-1, the next two games would be played in Los Angeles, putting enormous pressure on Dallas.
Two days later, the Mavericks responded, narrowly winning Game 2 by two points, 113-111, to even the series. Though Kobe and Wang Chong both scored over 30 points, the Mavericks relied on balanced scoring from six players to edge out the win.
Now tied 1-1, the Mavericks knew they had no room for error.
Back in Los Angeles, the Lakers took advantage of their home court. Staples Center was filled with fans, including many Hollywood stars like Denzel Washington, Will Smith, and singer Arthur. Among the crowd was Jessica Alba, Wang Chong's official girlfriend, who had recently starred in Sin City. Her stunning beauty caught everyone's attention, making her the envy of all.
Jessica's rise to fame, combined with her relationship with Wang Chong, fueled both admiration and jealousy. Even Wang Chong's teammates were envious, knowing how their relationship had started when he saved her during a game on Christmas Day.
The Lakers came out strong in Game 3. Kobe scored a game-high 36 points, while Wang Chong added 22, leading the Lakers to a 112-106 victory. Odom also contributed with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists, solidifying his value to the team. With a 2-1 lead in the series, the Lakers looked to be in control.
Game 4 was another close battle. Despite Kobe having a rough shooting night, the Lakers came from behind, erasing a 14-point deficit to win 95-93. Wang Chong carried the team, scoring 34 points, including 15 from three-point range, and hitting the clutch shot to seal the game.
With a 3-1 series lead, the Lakers now had the Mavericks on the ropes. Though the next game would be back in Dallas, the Mavericks knew they faced a nearly impossible task to recover from such a daunting deficit.
(Here is a still from Sin City.)
End of this chapter
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