Li Feng rallied his teammates in the locker room, finally rekindling their hope for a comeback.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the Spurs' locker room was tense.
Popovich wasn't exactly beaming at his players despite the substantial lead. Li Feng's explosive performance in the final minute had struck fear into the old man's heart!
Such scoring prowess reminded Popovich of Kobe, and even Michael Jordan in his prime.
"I don't want to see Li Feng score so easily again, understand?"
"Understood!"
The Spurs players were as quiet as mice, with only Duncan showing no change in his expression.
...
The second half began.
To prevent Li Feng from exploding, the Spurs intensified their defensive pressure.
Before Li Feng could even cross half-court, the Spurs had already double-teamed him.
However, Li Feng was in a frenzy. Instead of passing to his teammates, he used his [Fancy Dribbling], combined with the league's fastest first step, strength, and speed, to break through the double-team of Parker and George Hill.
Jefferson and McDyess were prepared, denying Li Feng any space to shoot and quickly coming over to help.
Facing two tall and agile forwards, Li Feng still didn't pass. He glanced towards the basket and made a fake to gather the ball.
Due to the immense threat of Li Feng's ultra-long three-pointers, Jefferson and McDyess reacted instinctively, jumping up to swat the ball.
Li Feng easily bypassed them with a subtle move and drove to the basket from the left.
The Spurs' last line of defense, Duncan, had been waiting.
Duncan had previously defended Li Feng, and Li Feng had scored with a fadeaway jumper.
This time, Duncan guarded him even tighter, his arms spread wide like a net, leaving Li Feng no room.
Li Feng remained unfazed. He suddenly dribbled backward, faking a step-back three-pointer.
Duncan rapidly moved his feet to keep up, but it was a fake. As Duncan lost his balance, Li Feng quickly drove to the basket from the right!
This was Li Feng in his berserk mode.
*Bang!*
Li Feng drove past five players and slammed home a powerful dunk!
The entire arena was stunned into silence.
Only the Knicks players were greatly energized, rushing towards Li Feng and chest-bumping in celebration!
What is a solo charge?
This play was it!
Popovich, pacing the sidelines, knitted his brows, as if sensing something...
The Spurs advanced the ball, deliberately slowing the tempo and settling into a half-court offense.
Just as George Hill was about to pass to Parker near the paint, Li Feng reappeared like a phantom, anticipating the play and intercepting the pass.
His SSS-rank steal skill was once again demonstrating its immense power.
Against the Spurs' team-oriented basketball, steals and long-range shooting were the best weapons!
Coincidentally, Li Feng possessed both.
However, in the first half, Li Feng had chosen to let his teammates take the lead, hiding his own prowess.
Once Li Feng revealed his true arsenal, the Spurs began to buckle.
After the steal, Li Feng pushed the ball up the court again, crossing half-court.
Jefferson, in desperation, committed a tactical foul, intending to hold Li Feng.
However, just before Jefferson could embrace him, Li Feng suddenly threw the ball away.
Everyone assumed it was a casual toss.
To everyone's surprise, the basketball traced a bizarre arc and swished through the net!
*Beep...*
The referee's whistle blew. A 3+1!
The home fans were speechless, mouths agape, staring at Li Feng.
"This guy..."
The Knicks teammates were even more stunned than the fans, so much so that they forgot to high-five Li Feng and stood frozen.
Li Feng calmly walked to the free-throw line and sank the additional free throw!
Less than a minute into the third quarter, Li Feng had scored six consecutive points!
At 63:45, the deficit had shrunk to eighteen points!
From a maximum difference of thirty-one points to the current eighteen, it was all thanks to Li Feng's solo effort!
Popovich couldn't sit still and called for a timeout early.
D'Antoni's shock on the sidelines was no less than anyone else's.
He had been searching for the Knicks' Amar'e Stoudemire, viewing Li Feng as Nash.
But now, he had abandoned that thought. Li Feng's offensive capabilities far surpassed Nash's.
The Knicks' Run-and-Gun 2.0 simply needed to be paired with some physically strong forwards on defense.
During the timeout, D'Antoni loudly instructed the Knicks players to strengthen their defense and support Li Feng's offense.
"Leave the scoring to Li Feng; you all must cooperate fully!"
...
During the Spurs' timeout, Popovich continued to roar. He was acutely aware of the Spurs' weakness.
The Spurs were most vulnerable to superstar players with unpredictable shooting.
To counter such players, the Spurs players could only rely on collective effort for any semblance of containment.
But as they had just witnessed, Li Feng was simply unguardable.
Even if they tackled him, he could still make ultra-long threes. How could they possibly compete?
Therefore, this timeout for the Spurs was of little use, merely allowing the players to recover from their shock.
The timeout ended, and the game resumed.
The Spurs initiated their offense again.
This time, to play it safe, the Spurs directly fed the ball to Duncan in the post.
Duncan, guarded by David Lee, turned and easily made a soft hook shot.
There was no other way; Duncan's fundamental skills were so unpretentious, yet remarkably efficient!
65:45, the lead was back to twenty points.
Knicks possession.
The Spurs' defense on Li Feng became even more exaggerated. They began double-teaming him from the backcourt, and it was an off-ball double-team!
They completely prevented him from receiving the ball.
Li Feng had his teammate bring the ball over half-court. He himself ran towards the baseline, seemingly not intending to participate in this offensive possession.
His teammates ran a 4-on-3, passing the ball around, but they could never find a good shooting opportunity. The Spurs' defense was truly formidable; three players were effectively guarding four.
Suddenly, Li Feng sprinted from the baseline towards the basket. The Spurs' George Hill and Jefferson immediately followed.
But Li Feng abruptly braked and turned back!
The fake was too realistic, and the two defenders couldn't react in time. Li Feng quickly returned to the baseline, now wide open.
His teammate, Duhon, with quick hands, tossed the ball to Li Feng.
Li Feng shot as fast as lightning, releasing the ball rapidly before the Spurs players could close in!
*Swish!*
Another three-pointer!
This was Li Feng, not only capable of launching fierce attacks when he had the ball but also delivering a fatal blow to the opponent when he was off the ball!
Popovich was truly speechless. He shook his head on the sidelines and sat back down.
The Spurs players had given their all; he wouldn't scold them anymore.
After making the shot, Li Feng pointed at Duhon and nodded vigorously, expressing his praise!
This was what teammates needed to do: find him when he had an opportunity!
65:48, the deficit had shrunk to seventeen points!
From the end of the second quarter to the first two minutes of the third quarter, Li Feng had scored fourteen consecutive points!