The Nuggets' morale soared after tying the game at the buzzer.
But unfortunately for them, this was the moment the Phoenix Suns decided to bare their fangs.
With a thunderous CRASH, O'Neal bulldozed past Camby and threw down a monstrous dunk.
O'Neal had played 35 minutes and scored 23 points. It was hard to say if he was coasting, but he definitely wasn't going all out.
But now the game was forced into overtime. If they weren't careful and lost, it would mean having to play another game.
Players didn't get paid extra for playoff games, so the fewer games played, the better. O'Neal understood this math perfectly.
So, the moment overtime began, O'Neal's offensive aggression ratcheted up, and he immediately demanded the ball.
After two consecutive championships, and without Chen Yu keeping an eye on him, he had admittedly gotten a little complacent.
But he was only 32, his body was healthy, and he wasn't carrying that much extra weight.
