They originally thought they could just use Jim McIlvaine as a meat shield to stop O'Neal from getting offensive rebounds, and focus their defense on Zhang Hao and Kenny Anderson.
The defense on the outside was indeed done very well, but O'Neal one-on-one inside almost made Jim McIlvaine, who earned 35 million US dollars while lying down, cry! A meat shield isn't just about being tall and heavy; players like Campbell and Ostertag can still be NBA starter level even when not defending O'Neal.
Although Zhang Hao and Kenny Anderson only scored a combined total of 26 points, Doug Christie, George Lynch, and James Robinson each scored in double digits, combined with Jason Williams and Barkley alternating on the court to collectively earn 14 points and 20 rebounds.
The Lakers defeated the SuperSonics 115 to 106, achieving a six-game winning streak!
