Without Pierce on the team, the traditional backcourt combination of Roger and Eric Snow managed most of the offensive issues. They had proven this point during the Eastern Conference Finals.
This time, Roger received the ball directly after coming off a screen, without hesitation, because any hesitation would immediately be met with a double team.
Kobe's interference was timely, but still a step too slow for Roger.
The basketball hit its mark steadily, and Roger scored successfully under the tight defense of the Lakers' best defenders!
Alone against O'Neal? Everyone knew that the Hawks' greatest reliance wasn't on any strategy, nor on the "shit" of Paul Pierce, but on Roger!
Without Pierce, the difficulty of the game indeed skyrocketed.
But this didn't mean that Roger couldn't win under such difficulty.
Shaq and Roger's opening was a microcosm of the subsequent half of the overtime.
