So, if James doesn't explode in these final minutes and lock down Li Feng, then after today's game, Li Feng will inevitably have a significant lead over James in the All-Star voting.
Therefore, whether it's for the team's victory or to be the top vote-getter himself, James must give it his all!
James's expression was grim, his hands resting on his knees, his head slightly raised, his gaze fierce.
"Eyes of Death" appear in the martial world!
Two photographers captured James's terrifying glare at the opportune moment, and the fans at the scene erupted in cheers!
Li Feng also felt a chill!
In his memory, Lao Zhan's "Eyes of Death" only appeared in the playoffs against the Celtics this year.
He never expected it to be earlier!
This showed how determined James was.
The Heat offense.
Wade wasn't handling the ball; instead, James dribbled across the half-court line.
Li Feng was guarding Wade, but he kept giving instructions, telling Bill Walker to stay close and asking Yi Jianlian to be ready for help defense.
Bang!
James made a crossover dribble, followed by a hard shoulder bump, nearly knocking Bill Walker over.
Then James drove towards the paint.
Yi Jianlian rushed to help defend, but James spun and got past him.
This was the part where James was refined despite his roughness; his spin move was also superb, often leaving opponents behind during fast breaks.
Seeing James's aggressive charge, Yao Ming quickly moved to front him.
But Bosh firmly sealed off Yao Ming.
Given their physiques, Bosh was smaller than Yao Ming and couldn't really stop him, but he boxed out with all his might, while also using his hands.
Strictly speaking, it was a foul.
However, the referees rarely called fouls in the fourth quarter.
Yao Ming couldn't get through and was anxious, only able to watch as James drove to the basket and slammed it home!
After scoring, James roared to the sky, venting his frustration.
He had been suppressed by Li Feng for three quarters and was finally about to explode!
The home crowd of the Heat also stood up, their cheers deafening, hoping James could lead a great comeback!
Wade and Bosh rushed over, high-fiving and shouting with James, boosting the Heat's morale!
With 6 minutes and 38 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the score was 98:89, and the deficit had narrowed to single digits.
The Knicks attacked. Li Feng brought the ball across half-court. Wade and Battier suddenly double-teamed him. Li Feng didn't dare to be careless and passed the ball to Lowry between them.
Lowry had a good shooting touch for the first three quarters, making 3 out of 5 three-pointers. During the timeout, the coach had also told him to shoot decisively if he had an open look!
So Lowry shot a three-pointer without hesitation!
Unfortunately, this one was a bit off. Clang, the ball with topspin bounced high.
Yao Ming went for the offensive rebound, but James and Bosh fiercely pushed Yao Ming outside the paint. Wade leaped high and secured the rebound.
The Heat's defense contracted extremely quickly. Apart from Battier blocking Li Feng, everyone else had gone to the paint for the rebound.
After securing the rebound, Wade pushed the ball quickly, and James and Chalmers also crossed half-court rapidly.
This was the Heat's "run and gun," more ferocious and incredibly fast!
Li Feng and Lowry also backtracked quickly, but the James-Wade connection, plus Chalmers, was indeed difficult to resist.
Finally, Wade passed to James, bang!
Another slam dunk!
98:91!
The deficit was narrowed to 7 points!
After scoring, James raised both hands, inciting the crowd's emotions!
The Heat fans roared, and the momentum had now shifted to the Heat!
Antetokounmpo wanted to call a timeout, but seeing Li Feng's expression, he didn't seem panicked at all.
So Antetokounmpo held back, knowing they were still ahead, and decided to wait and see.
The Knicks attacked, and Li Feng gestured to his teammates.
This gesture was for them to run a play.
Yi Jianlian's isolation play!
Yi Jianlian had played ordinarily today. He was very diligent on defense, but his offense was limited.
There was no choice; the Heat's defense was too tight. Yi Jianlian was afraid to hold the ball too much because he had committed two turnovers from holding the ball in the first quarter.
This scared him into focusing only on defense, not daring to take the ball on offense.
Yet, at a crucial moment in the fourth quarter, Li Feng made a gesture, telling him to go for an isolation!
This not only surprised Yi Jianlian but also Li Feng's Knicks teammates.
In fact, for Li Feng, being the top vote-getter wasn't important, and winning this game wasn't that important either.
What he needed was for everyone on the team to possess immense self-confidence.
Yi Jianlian's various abilities had been improved by Li Feng using the system to the second-highest level in the league.
All his attributes reached 90.
It could be said that at the power forward position, Yi Jianlian should rank sixth or seventh in the league, a qualified starter.
But this was just his hardware.
In terms of experience and willpower, Yi Jianlian still lacked a lot.
This required practice through every game and adaptation with every possession.
The Knicks were still leading, but the Heat was gaining momentum.
If Yi Jianlian could score powerfully, it would greatly boost his confidence and willpower.
[Ding, the system detects the host's good intentions and has issued a task: If Yi Jianlian successfully isolates and scores, his willpower +10, clutch ability +10]
Li Feng was overjoyed.
Since his abilities improved to the top level, the system had been silent for a long time.
Perhaps the system was also silently appreciating his efforts, hoping Li Feng could achieve the great feat of three consecutive championships.
...
According to the play, Bill Walker screened James, and Yi Jianlian suddenly stepped back.
James didn't pay much attention, believing Yi Jianlian posed no threat.
Li Feng reacted quickly and passed the ball to Yi Jianlian.
James remained unhurried, not even intending to go around to defend Yi Jianlian.
Only Wade felt something was wrong and rushed over.
But Yi Jianlian had long arms and a good reach, and Wade couldn't defend him.
Swish!
Yi Jianlian held his nerve and made the long two-pointer!
Antetokounmpo on the sidelines shouted excitedly and clenched his fist.
He was fortunate to have a player like Li Feng who could quickly devise the best solution in a rapidly changing situation.
100:91, the deficit returned to 9 points.
The Heat's momentum was somewhat suppressed, and the crowd's cheers were not as loud as before.
The Heat attacked, with James holding the ball at the top of the arc.
Bill Walker and Yi Jianlian double-teamed James.
Generally speaking, double-teaming James was useless because his passing skills were top-notch.
But this double-team was meant to disrupt James's rhythm.
Earlier, James had shown his "Eyes of Death," clearly indicating he was going to take over!
At this moment, James should have been unable to pass.
However, Li Feng was also roaming near the paint, preventing James from passing, which was a backup plan.
As expected, facing the double-team, James was fearless. He suddenly drove to his right, stepped sideways, and then pulled up for a jumper!
Swish!
James had a hot hand, hitting a pull-up three-pointer!
As everyone knows, James is not a star known for his shooting, but today, he had an incredibly hot hand and was wreaking havoc! kanδん
100:94!
The deficit returned to 6 points.
The Heat fans' cheers erupted again. James's pull-up three-pointer was too audacious!
After scoring, James once again pounded his chest with both hands, strutting with his powerful gait!
The Knicks players became a little flustered and instinctively looked towards Li Feng.
Li Feng raised his right hand high, his expression stern, and shouted, "It's okay, let's play our game!"
The Knicks attacked, and Li Feng passed the ball to Yi Jianlian again.
This time, James didn't relax and immediately closed in.
Unexpectedly, Lowry suddenly broke away from Chalmers and drove to the basket. Yi Jianlian quickly passed him the ball.
Chalmers was annoyed, his attention entirely on Yi Jianlian.
Lowry received the ball and went straight for an uncontested dunk!
Li Feng excitedly rushed over and high-fived Lowry and Yi Jianlian.
This basket showcased the Knicks' overall strategy and greatly boosted their morale.
James was panting heavily. He had given his all, but the Knicks were collectively on fire.
In the following few possessions, James was extremely efficient, shooting 4 of 5 from the field, including 2 three-pointers.
On the Knicks' side, Yi Jianlian made two shots and had two assists, showcasing almost everything he had practiced.
Initially, Yi Jianlian was nervous, but after making one shot, he loosened up.
As his teammates found their rhythm, Li Feng also seized the opportunity to attack.
With 1 minute and 25 seconds left in the game, the difference between the two teams was 2 points.
115:113.
Spo called a timeout.
His purpose for this timeout wasn't for strategy but to give James a break.
James had truly seemed like a divine being just now, almost single-handedly scoring all the team's points!
And he did it by driving aggressively through heavy double-teams.
James's performance should have earned him considerable votes.
Currently, James had scored 37 points, while Li Feng had scored 41 points.
As it reached the final stages.
If James could continue scoring and turn the tables on the Knicks, then James would definitively be the All-Star leading vote-getter.
Because he had directly defeated Li Feng!
Li Feng naturally understood this, so during the timeout, he didn't say a word, covered his head with a towel, and used the [Curry Stamina Recovery Technique] to reach his optimal state.
After the timeout, the players from both teams re-entered the court.
The atmosphere in the United Center seemed to be about to freeze.
The Heat attacked, with James holding the ball past half-court.
Because he had been aggressively attacking and isolating earlier, the Knicks' double-teams became even more fierce.
Unexpectedly, James suddenly passed the ball to Chalmers in the corner.
Lowry wasn't guarding too tightly and rushed to contest. Chalmers shot quickly!
Clang!
It missed!
Just as the Knicks players were protecting the rebound, James leaped high and, before Yao Ming, slammed the ball in with one hand!
It was James again!
Li Feng was tightly held by Battier and couldn't move.
However, he complained to the referee, but the referee ignored him.
Li Feng understood; the referees were letting the players decide the game. As long as the actions weren't overly egregious, the referees wouldn't call them.
With this putback dunk, the two teams were tied!
The Heat had finally caught up in the second half, with James being the main contributor!
With 1 minute and 02 seconds left, it was 115 all!
The Heat's home court turned into a sea of joy, with fans jumping and shouting, utterly ecstatic!
The feeling of a comeback was incredibly wonderful, even better than always being in the lead!
James roared at the audience from the sideline, interacting with them, and the fans chanted his name.
Eyes of Death!
Truly terrifying.
Li Feng felt a pang of panic. Was he really going to lose this game?
No!
I won't allow it!
The Knicks attacked!
This possession was extremely important; there was less than a minute left.
If they didn't score, and the Heat got an opportunity to score, then the Heat would seize their home advantage and take the victory!
Li Feng dribbled from the backcourt. Wade once again closed in, and this time he was aggressive.
Since the referees weren't calling anything, then don't blame me!
Li Feng made a directional change to the left. Wade reached out to grab Li Feng's arm.
This move was already a foul, but Li Feng wasn't expecting the referee to call it. He seemed to casually elbowed Wade in a pressure point on his arm.
Wade felt his arm go numb, his arm went limp, and he could only watch as Li Feng drove past.
After crossing half-court, Battier stepped up again, still being aggressive.
Before Wade could double-team, Li Feng used a behind-the-back dribble and a shoulder bump to directly push Battier away.
In fact, he was constantly listening for the referee's whistle.
As long as the referee wasn't inconsistent, it was manageable.
The referee didn't blow the whistle, so Li Feng was relieved. He charged all the way into the paint.
The Heat's defense was layered and very solid.
As soon as Li Feng reached the paint, James appeared in front of him.
Even though Li Feng had suppressed James in the first three quarters, James had suddenly exploded in the fourth quarter, and Li Feng wasn't finding it so easy to score against him anymore.
Li Feng dribbled calmly, moving towards the center. James stuck close to him, shielding Li Feng with his body.
Suddenly, Li Feng began his move.
In fact, Li Feng's move this time had a purpose: he intentionally drove towards Bosh's position.
At this moment, Bosh was locked in a physical battle with Yao Ming, and he hadn't noticed Li Feng approaching.
James wanted to continue defending, but Bosh's position perfectly blocked James.
This was Li Feng's other signature breakthrough move—
Using one defender to block another defender.
Bang!
James charged too fiercely and collided directly with Bosh, both of them nearly falling.
Li Feng took advantage of this split-second opportunity, flicking the ball with his right hand for two points!
James and Bosh looked at each other, utterly furious.
117:115, the Knicks led!
The Heat's home court fell silent again. Li Feng's spectacular shot became the visiting team's "silent treatment"!
Yao Ming was stunned. He hadn't expected Li Feng to use Bosh to block James.
What a clever little guy!
Yao Ming rushed over and hugged Li Feng, shouting loudly, "That's amazing, Li Feng, you're truly awesome!"
Li Feng quickly broke free and shouted, "Let's get back on defense!"
The entire Knicks team quickly retreated on defense, preventing the Heat's fast break from developing. James could only dribble at the top of the arc.
At this moment, Li Feng suddenly said to Yi Jianlian and Bill Walker, who were double-teaming James, "I'll guard him one-on-one. You guys go over there!"
The entire stadium was stunned!
Li Feng was going to guard James one-on-one!
Let alone the difference in their physical builds, given James's divine performance just now, could Li Feng really stop him alone?