The lead had been cut to within 5 points once again.
Noah, Ross... each time the Cavaliers tried to widen the gap, someone from the Bulls would step up.
Thibodeau had brought to the Bulls not only top-notch defense but also formidable game resilience.
Although it was the first round against the Bulls, and although Ross and Noah were already with the Bulls back then, it was just as O'Neal had said—the current Bulls team was much stronger than before.
The first half ended with the score at 41 to 48, the Cavaliers leading.
On the way back to the locker room during halftime, Malone chatted with Hansen while walking.
Hansen had scored 24 points and 6 assists in the first half.
There was no doubt his performance was MVP level, but he had expended much more energy than anticipated.
Especially against the Bulls, who seemed as undying as cockroaches, this pace of play could mean that Hansen might not be able to last until the end of the game.
