Roger also didn't let Jordan catch the ball, his legs, as if weighted down with lead, couldn't find any space to break free.
In the end, he could only go one-on-one with Roger, taking advantage of the moment before a double-team formed, Jordan dribbled once and, contending with Roger's defense, made a mid-range jump shot.
Unfortunately, the basketball didn't go in. Jordan might have been magical tonight, but he couldn't make every shot.
In the following possessions, neither team scored.
The high-intensity defense, fierce confrontations, and mutual shutdown of key players seemed to reincarnate the previous grueling battles characterized by relentless physicality.
But with the Knicks leading by 5 points, they had a cushion to rely on.
However, the New Yorkers' happiness was short-lived as they soon fell silent again.