Chapter 280: Yet to Be Surpassed.
As both teams' starters took to the court, the tip-off began with Kevin Garnett facing Joakim Noah at center court.
The moment Noah locked eyes with Garnett, his gaze turned blood-red with fury.
Coach Malone's psychological tactics had worked even before the game began.
Amid the roar of the crowd, Noah tipped the ball back to his side, and the Bulls took the first possession.
The Bulls initiated their offense with Noah orchestrating from the high post, delivering a perfect handoff assist to Derrick Rose, who drove in and hit a teardrop floater.
Noah hadn't always been such a polished facilitator.
In his first two seasons, most of his assists came from grabbing defensive rebounds and throwing outlet passes in transition.
But even back then, his court vision was evident.
Over the years, especially during the seasons when Rose was injured, the Bulls had shifted their offensive focus to Noah, and he'd rewarded Coach Thibodeau's trust by growing into one of the best playmaking big men in the league.
On the Cavaliers' first possession, Kyrie Irving brought the ball up the court.
But his opening play turned into a comedic blunder.