Yang Yi didn't care. With a glint in his eye, he retorted, "It's different. The Heat's fouls were all non-shooting fouls, while the Knicks' were intentional fouls. The impact on the game is different."
Both Coach Zhang and Yu Jia were amused by Yang Yi. They didn't expect him to be so shameless, speaking so freely.
The second half of the game began.
The New York fans saw hope of winning, and their cheers roared like thunder. The first half of today's game was like a dream to them.
"Beat the Heat, beat the Big Three!"
"Advance to the Finals, win the fourth consecutive championship!"
"Li Feng, you're awesome, I love you!"
...
Despite the deafening cheers of the fans, the Heat were still the stronger team. After calming down during halftime, they understood the Knicks' strategy.
Coach Spo deliberately went to the locker room and shouted at the players, "They're bluffing! Don't be led by the nose. Play your own game..."
Wade, having played in the Finals, had the most experience. After the coach finished speaking, he also cautioned his teammates a few words.
Therefore, at the start of the third quarter, the Heat played steadily. James controlled the ball, Wade attacked, and they managed to reduce the deficit to 14 points within five minutes.
D'Antoni hastily called a timeout.
Li Feng was also a little flustered. He didn't want to lose this home game.
But given the current situation, there was no good solution.
It was the second half, and they definitely wouldn't be committing intentional fouls anymore. The intentional fouls in the first half were a psychological warfare, a strategy.
Committing intentional fouls again in the second half would be suicidal, and they would be quickly disqualified.
Just as the whole team was at a loss, a flash of inspiration struck Li Feng, and an idea emerged.
Yes, this was the only way!
Li Feng immediately gathered his teammates and said in a low voice, "Let's do this later..."
D'Antoni didn't hear what Li Feng said, but he knew Li Feng well.
In this situation, Li Feng must have had a plan, otherwise he would be sitting on the chair, lost in thought.
The timeout ended, and the game continued.
The Heat players were still full of high spirits, confident that they could catch up in the third quarter and win in the fourth quarter!
Especially James, he scowled with great intensity, possessing the momentum of sweeping through a thousand armies!
Li Feng couldn't guarantee that this move would work, but he had to try.
Just as Bill Walker walked past James, he deliberately turned to Green and said, "Don't worry about James, just guard Wade."
James heard this and felt a little unhappy.
The Knicks attacked. Li Feng dribbled the ball past half-court. Facing the double-team from Wade and Battier, he didn't force a shot. Instead, he waved for Bill Walker to come over for a screen.
This resulted in James being switched onto him.
James became even more annoyed, thinking, "What does Li Feng mean? Calling me out?"
As expected, when Li Feng saw James approaching, he immediately used his fancy dribbling, making James almost unable to stand steadily.
Then Li Feng made a step-back jumper and shot a three-pointer!
Swish!
The three-pointer was made!
Actually, James had strong individual defense, and Li Feng gave it his all.
Another factor was that James was a bit too emotional. He had waved off Battier's double-team just now, which allowed Li Feng to shoot easily.
It was all about psychological warfare!
After making the three-pointer, Li Feng deliberately dropped a line, "Your defense is far worse than Wade's!"
This statement, coupled with Bill Walker's words earlier, made James even more furious.
Heat's offense.
According to the strategy they had just set, James was supposed to bring the ball up at the arc, looking for opportunities.
Either he would break through himself or pass to a teammate.
In short, James's role was the on-court commander.
However, the actions of the Knicks players made James lose his composure. He wanted to prove himself!
Many fans who transmigrated from their previous lives still hold grudges about the 2011 Heat Big Three losing to the Mavericks, with some even analyzing it as James deliberately playing poorly against Wade.
Only James himself knew the real reason, but Li Feng believed that James was just eager to prove himself, but the Mavericks' defense was too targeted, causing James to get lost.
This was a character weakness of James during his Heat tenure.
However, after returning to the Cavaliers, James became more mature and was no longer defeated by these minor issues.
...
James held the ball at the top of the arc. Seeing Wade reaching for the ball, he didn't pass it but chose to force a breakthrough.
This was his signature move and the offensive method that troubled opponents the most.
However, the Knicks were too well-prepared. As soon as he got past Bill Walker, Green stepped up, completely preventing James from picking up speed!
This was the key to defending James.
A CCTV commentator once said, "When James gets going, he's unstoppable with a dunk!"
When he gets going, no one can stop him!
Therefore, it was crucial to intercept him the moment he started to speed up.
This was a difficult task, as James was too strong, and one could easily get injured.
Rookie Green already had DPOY potential. He was not only an aggressive defender but also brave and reckless.
He was willing to do the dirty and tough work of throwing himself in to block shots.
Just as James was about to accelerate, he saw Green suddenly appear and had to slow down again.
He didn't want to collide head-on with Green, as that could easily lead to an offensive foul.
At this moment, Wade looked helpless. He had a clear offensive opportunity just moments ago, but James seemed to have not seen it.
James wanted to use a spin move to get past Green.
Unexpectedly, the moment he turned, Li Feng suddenly burst out and snatched the ball from James with a slap!
Stealing someone's ball was easy, but stealing James's ball required immense strength.
Li Feng's strength was immense. He exerted his full power, and his steal was precise and fierce!
James was shocked. By the time he tried to snatch the ball back, it was too late.
Li Feng immediately launched a counter-attack, and Curry was the first to cross half-court.
Whoosh!
Li Feng passed the ball to Curry without hesitation. Before Battier could close in, Curry shot a three-pointer from near the center circle!
Good heavens, another logo three-pointer from way downtown!
Swish!
It was made again!
These two three-pointers from Li Feng and Curry immediately widened the score difference.
Spo shook his head slightly on the sidelines. He was very dissatisfied with James's choice this time.
However, he didn't call a timeout immediately or shout. Spo believed that James had high basketball IQ and would adjust on his own.
Heat's offense.
James continued to hold the ball at the top of the arc. He still had no intention of passing.
The Knicks were also cooperative, always having Bill Walker defend him individually and not double-teaming.
James felt that his breakthrough would be restricted, so he suddenly pulled the ball back and also made a step-back three-pointer!
In fact, James's shooting was not bad. When he was in rhythm, he could make consecutive three-pointers!
Unfortunately, he was not in good mental shape today, and his shot was off.
Clang!
The ball bounced off the rim. Jokic secured the rebound and threw a long pass to Bill Walker.
Just as Walker was about to fast break, James had already caught up.
Reluctantly, he had to wait for Li Feng and Curry to cross half-court before passing the ball.
After receiving the ball, Li Feng once again had his teammates switch James onto him.
He wanted to disrupt James's mindset.
As the Heat's commander, if his mind was unsettled, the Heat's strength would be greatly diminished.
James came to Li Feng, gritting his teeth, and still waved off his teammates from double-teaming.
"Li Feng, you won't succeed this time!" James roared.
Li Feng chuckled, "Then I'll score on you again!"
Before the words fell, Li Feng suddenly accelerated and drove to the right with a bent body.
James was well-prepared and moved quickly, blocking Li Feng's driving path.
Li Feng marveled in his heart. With such a heavy body, James could keep up with his steps instantly. He was truly gifted!
Swoosh!
Li Feng smoothly executed a crossover dribble, turning his body to the left.
A crossover dribble was not a very advanced move; many amateur players could do it.
However, it was rare to see someone connect a sudden stop with a crossover dribble as smoothly as Li Feng.
James's massive frame found it impossible to quickly recover and cover the space.
But James was truly fighting for it. Although his feet couldn't keep up, his whole body leaned forward, blocking Li Feng, and he pushed off with his feet!
Whoosh!
James once again stood in front of Li Feng!
This defense was incredible!
Li Feng truly didn't expect that with a moment's distraction, he almost lost the ball to James.
With more than seven seconds left on the shot clock, Li Feng took a deep breath. He was determined to go head-to-head with James.
Suddenly, Li Feng quickly pulled the ball back and made a shooting motion.
James's nerves tensed, and he jumped up reflexively, wanting to block Li Feng's shot.
There was no other choice. Li Feng had just shot a three-pointer over him, so he had to defend!
Who knew that James had fallen for it? Li Feng only made a fake move.
When James jumped up and saw Li Feng retracting his hands, his heart sank. It was over...
As expected, Li Feng smartly leaned towards James and then actually shot the ball towards the basket.
The classic "draw a foul" tactic.
Beep!
The referee's whistle blew, pointing at James.
However, few dared to draw a foul on someone like James, because James's body was like a truck.
Most players couldn't withstand this kind of foul drawing and could easily get injured.
But Li Feng's body was even tougher!
After the collision, he simply moved his neck and was unharmed!
James's face turned livid with anger. He charged towards the referee, claiming there was no foul.
But the referee ignored him.
After Li Feng shot the ball, it bounced on the rim a few times and then fell into the basket!
A 2+1!
The home crowd was ecstatic and started cheering loudly again!
This play was amazing. It was supposed to be a foul-drawing tactic, but it actually went in.
Li Feng's touch was superb, he was like Kato Feng!
Amidst the cheers of the home crowd, Li Feng made the free throw!
The score difference was once again widened to 20+!
Spo couldn't stand it anymore and immediately called a timeout.
However, given James's status, Spo didn't dare to scold him. He could only patiently advise James.
James knew where the problem lay – he had gotten too emotional.
But as a top superstar in the league, he really couldn't swallow this insult!
Under Spo's guidance, James calmed down considerably. He took the initiative to high-five Wade, expressing his apology.
This was the tacit understanding between superstars. James didn't say anything; a look, a high-five, and they both knew what was meant.
The timeout ended, and the game continued.
James crossed half-court and wanted to pass the ball to Wade.
However, Li Feng was one step ahead. He tightly blocked Wade, giving him no chance to receive the ball.
James held the ball and, finding no good opportunity, passed it to Bosh.
Bosh normally had an advantage against Jokic, but the Knicks now had Green, making help defense omnipresent!
As Bosh was about to make a move, he was double-teamed by Green, and the ball was stolen!
The Heat's rhythm was disrupted again.
After stealing the ball, Green launched a counter-attack.
Since Green was always focused on defense and passing, the Heat players were all guarding Li Feng and Curry.
Green dribbled the ball, looking left and right, and finally found no one in front of him?
So, "Teacher Green" didn't hesitate and drove straight to the basket for a dunk!
James's mindset was back to being unstable...
In the next few possessions, James kept looking for Wade, but Li Feng was incredibly annoying. He used all his skills to pester Wade, preventing him from catching the ball.
Wade also got anxious. During one of Li Feng's entanglements, he violently threw Li Feng to the ground.
Beep!
The referee's whistle blew, calling Wade for a foul.
Wade now had 4 fouls.
Spo had no choice but to substitute Wade off.
When Wade left the court, the Knicks fans cheered. They all knew how formidable Wade was!
If Wade got into foul trouble, the Knicks would truly have a chance to win this game.
Seeing Wade leave the court, James became a little anxious.
Kerr replaced Wade. He was also a capable player with great speed.
However, Li Feng wasn't afraid of fast players, because Li Feng was even faster!
In the latter half of the third quarter, the Knicks went on a run, fixing the score difference at 25+!
Although Wade returned to the court in the fourth quarter, the score difference was too large. Furthermore, Li Feng's defense on Wade made him very uncomfortable, and his efficiency dropped significantly.
James also attempted to drive, but with Green and his teammates' help defense, James only scored 3 points in the fourth quarter.
Ultimately, the Knicks secured their second home victory and strongly tied the series!
After the game, the Knicks players were extremely excited.
Before this series, no one would have thought that the Knicks could tie with the powerful Heat!
The Knicks players hugged each other, their eyes moist.
Especially Li Feng and Bill Walker, who were veteran players from the team's three consecutive championships. The others were all newcomers.
Only the two of them knew how difficult today's victory was.
The after-effects of winning the championship had greatly reduced the Knicks' overall strength, and there was a major player turnover. Fortunately, Li Feng stayed.
During the offseason, almost all teams extended olive branches to Li Feng.