The Mavericks, under the onslaught of the smaller lineup, had once again reversed the score at the end of the third quarter!
92:84, the Mavericks led by eight points!
De'Anthoni wore a look of despair.
The Knicks' strategy for the day was basically sound, locking down where they needed to. Nowitzki had only managed fourteen points by the end of the third quarter.
Yet, the other Mavericks players seemed to have found an extra gear, raining down shots like arrows!
Who could possibly beat a Mavericks team like this?
He glanced at Li Feng and found a hint of bewilderment in the young man's eyes.
This was a rare sight for the ever-unyielding Li Feng.
The Knicks had given their all on both offense and defense.
Even Yao Ming had pushed his limits today, risking fouls to chase Nowitzki across the court, constantly colliding with him.
Yet, at the end of three quarters, they were trailing by so many points.
What other tricks could the Knicks possibly have up their sleeve?
De'Anthoni couldn't think of any. His only thought was to give the ball to Li Feng.
But Li Feng now...
The Dallas home crowd was ecstatic. If they could win Game 5, then the championship would truly be within reach.
From the fans' perspective, the Mavericks already possessed the aura of a championship team!
And the Knicks were in a very passive, disadvantaged position.
Normally, before the substitutes came in for the fourth quarter, Li Feng would offer a few words of encouragement.
But this time, Li Feng sat on the bench, a white towel draped over his head, saying nothing at all.
No one knew what he was thinking.
De'Anthoni's heart sank.
His ace in the hole, his trump card, was Li Feng.
This was the nature of basketball. With only five players on the court, having one superstar and building the team around him could easily make them championship contenders.
Now that Li Feng looked dejected, the Knicks had already lost more than half the battle!
Yao Ming was also anxious, but he didn't disturb Li Feng.
After more than a year of playing together, he had come to understand Li Feng's personality quite well.
Although Li Feng was a good talker, during important games or critical moments, he tended to be very quiet.
Billups led the bench unit onto the court!
The Mavericks, too, had made a lineup change. Nowitzki, who had only played a little over six minutes in the third quarter, was back on the court at the start of the fourth!
Fortunately, the Knicks were prepared. Substitute center Jordan Hill and Randolph moved to challenge Nowitzki.
But the Mavericks had a counter-strategy. Nowitzki minimized physical contact, not actively seeking the ball, but instead using his gravity to create opportunities for his teammates.
This effectively meant the Mavericks' other reserves were playing a 4-on-3 situation!
Terry and Novak both found themselves with better three-point opportunities.
De'Anthoni shook his head, knowing the momentum had likely shifted beyond their reach.
Fortunately, Terry and Novak's three-point percentages had slightly decreased.
This was inevitable. Despite their good three-point shooting, their accuracy in the latter half of the third quarter had been astonishing, a display of extraordinary performance.
The score difference began to widen. Three minutes into the fourth quarter, the deficit had grown to twelve points.
If not for a few incredibly difficult shots from Billups and Scola, the gap would have been even larger.
Even so, the Knicks showed signs of crumbling.
Just as De'Anthoni paced frantically by the sideline, his brow slick with sweat, Li Feng suddenly threw off the towel on his head and stood up.
He walked over to De'Anthoni and said in a low voice, "Coach, let me play! We're going to shoot threes against the Mavericks!"
De'Anthoni's eyes widened.
In his memory, Li Feng, though young, was mature and steady.
While Li Feng's three-point shooting was top-tier, and his long-range threes were accurate, Li Feng never elevated himself above the team.
Unless it was a desperate situation, Li Feng wouldn't typically resort to his three-point shot as his primary weapon, firing it indiscriminately.
The last time he unleashed a barrage of threes was in that game against the Warriors, when Li Feng and Curry engaged in a three-point shootout, a memorable moment from the regular season.
But that was just a regular season game.
Now, it was the Finals!
But at this critical juncture, all they could do was rely on Li Feng's performance.
So De'Anthoni nodded vigorously, "Alright, it's up to you then."
"No, Coach, it's not just me, it's us!"
"Us? Who do you mean?" De'Anthoni looked utterly confused.
Although there were a few players on the team who could shoot threes, they were nowhere near Li Feng's level.
"Me, Lowry, Yao Ming, Billups, and Shawne Williams!"
"This lineup?"
"Yes, let's give it a shot!"
In another parallel universe, Lowry wouldn't reach his three-point peak until his fourth year with the Raptors.
In the 2016-17 season, his three-point percentage reached 41.2%, indicating his significant potential in this area.
And with Li Feng's guidance, Lowry's three-point shooting had improved rapidly. In this current season's regular season, he had already reached 38.6%.
In the playoffs, it was even higher at 40.7%!
Exceeding 40% in 2011 was considered elite sharpshooting.
Furthermore, although Billups didn't shoot many threes this season, he still maintained a 37% accuracy, so he could shoot.
And Billups had another quirky stat: his three-point percentage in the fourth quarter was 44%, while it was lower in the first three quarters, around 31%, which was quite strange.
Yao Ming, of course, was even more reliable. Although he didn't shoot many threes, his accuracy was 41%, making him a definite threat.
Moreover, with his height, he was almost impossible to contest, offering greater stability.
Shawne Williams also had a good three-point shot this season, though he didn't take many, with a regular season percentage of 39%.
In the playoffs, he took even fewer shots; he only attempted two threes in my memory, making one.
Finally, let's talk about Li Feng. His regular season three-point percentage this season was 46.4%, the league's best!
In the playoffs, Li Feng's accuracy slightly improved to 47.2%.
And in the Finals, Li Feng's percentage reached a staggering 48.5%!
Terrifying!
In this regard, Li Feng shared a similarity with Jordan: his playoff shooting percentage was higher than his regular season, and his Finals percentage was even higher than his playoff average!
What is a superstar? (fadeaway jumper)
...
So, as Li Feng sat on the bench, he was thinking—
"You guys can shoot threes, right? Then let's see who shoots more accurately!"
"I refuse to believe I can't outshoot you guys from three-point range!"
Seeing the resolute glint in Li Feng's eyes, De'Anthoni immediately agreed.
"That's the plan. Feel free to shoot, don't worry about the game's outcome!" De'Anthoni understood psychology well; he knew that the most crucial element for three-point shooting was a relaxed mindset.
The more relaxed the mindset, the more accurate the three-pointer!
This was an ironclad rule.
...
Carlisle was in a great mood. He felt that the Mavericks were on the verge of winning the pivotal Game 5.
If they won this game, their chances of winning the championship would greatly increase.
While he was feeling pleased, he suddenly noticed De'Anthoni making a substitution.
And it was a very strange one.
What kind of lineup was this?
Li Feng, Lowry, Billups? Three point guards?
As Carlisle pondered this, he witnessed an astonishing sight!
On offense, Yao Ming suddenly ran to the 45-degree angle and received a pass from Lowry.
Peja, temporarily playing center for the reserve unit, hesitated whether to close out. Before he could decide, Yao Ming had already released his shot!
Swish!
A three-pointer!
The Mavericks knew Yao Ming could shoot threes, but he usually took them from the corner, and in this game, Yao Ming had been battling defensively with Nowitzki, not attempting any three-pointers.
Why was he shooting now?
98:88, the Mavericks still led by ten points!
Carlisle made hand gestures on the sideline, shouting at his players not to panic and to stay close to Yao Ming!
Yao Ming was a center, after all. Peja was shorter and quicker, so he should be able to stay tighter.
The next possession, the Mavericks went on offense.
Peja attempted to answer with a three-pointer, but after receiving the ball, he missed under the interference of Shawne Williams.
Li Feng leaped high to secure the rebound and initiated a fast break.
The Knicks players moved quickly, displaying their fast-break intensity.
Li Feng saw Lowry had run near the left sideline and immediately passed him the ball.
Lowry didn't hesitate, his shot was quick and decisive, another three-pointer made!
Li Feng had instructed them before he came back on the court!
"No matter who it is! If you have an open three, you must shoot it, shoot it decisively! If you miss, it's on me!"
Fueled by Li Feng's words, the entire team was frantically moving, setting screens, and passing the ball to teammates.
98:91!
In just over thirty seconds after Li Feng and the others entered the game, the Knicks had narrowed the deficit by six points!
Nowitzki's brow furrowed. He finally realized that the Knicks intended to engage in a three-point shootout with the Mavericks.
So be it!
Nowitzki noticed he was no longer being double-teamed. In the next possession, facing Yao Ming, Nowitzki faked, used a signature fadeaway, and shot a three-pointer!
Even though Yao Ming defended well, Dirk's fadeaway was incredibly difficult to guard, and the arc of the shot was high!
Swish!
Another three-pointer made, 101:91!
The score difference was back to ten points!
The game was becoming exciting, and the crowd erupted in cheers.
With 6 minutes and 42 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
A ten-point difference.
For the fans, regardless of the outcome, the game was at least entertaining, and that was enough!
The Knicks were on offense.
Lowry dribbled past half-court. He faked a pass to Yao Ming in the corner but suddenly passed the ball to Li Feng, who was cutting from the right.
Li Feng was still being double-teamed, making it difficult to receive the ball.
He used a back-cut and a burst of speed, along with a teammate's screen, to create an open three-point look.
Upon receiving the pass, Li Feng didn't hesitate and shot immediately!
Clang!
The ball hit the rim.
Everyone thought the ball would bounce out. Yao Ming fought for position, trying to grab the rebound.
However, the ball bounced high, arced straight up and down, and somehow fell back into the basket!
Li Feng spread his hands, shaking his head with a shrug, as if to say, "What can I do? Pure luck!"
In the subsequent possessions, both teams began to engage in a three-point barrage.
Of course, this didn't mean either team abandoned defense; rather, their defense became more ferocious.
The shooting percentages on both sides began to gradually decline.
However, the Knicks' three-point attempts were more decisive, resulting in a slightly higher shooting percentage.
Furthermore, the fast-break offense had a shorter shot clock, leading to more possessions, thus slowly narrowing the score difference.
With another long-range three-pointer from Li Feng, the deficit was reduced to four points.
112:108, the Mavericks still led.
There were 2 minutes and 28 seconds left on the clock.
Carlisle immediately called a timeout, believing the Mavericks players were showing significant fatigue.
The fast-break offense was truly difficult to defend. The pace was too rapid, and the Knicks almost never got to play in a half-court set.
It was constant running, running, running...
Nowitzki, in particular, was gasping for air.
He had played over forty minutes in the previous game, and as a 31-year-old veteran, he had truly given his all.
And today, he had already played thirty-six minutes, truly channeling the German Machine!
Li Feng was very satisfied with his teammates' performance over the last few minutes.
After the opposing team called a timeout, he didn't immediately go back onto the court. Instead, he high-fived and hugged each of his teammates.
"Brother, keep shooting like that, don't hesitate!"
"You're doing great, aren't you?"
"You can shoot faster, keep it up!"
...
Under Li Feng's "incitement," the Knicks players entered a state of three-point shooting frenzy.
During the timeout, Carlisle made no major adjustments, knowing that this was the only strategy that could compete with the Knicks.
That strategy was a three-point shootout!
If they tried to play the Knicks in a conventional, methodical manner, they would surely lose 1-4.
Therefore, after the timeout, the Mavericks' lineup remained unchanged: Nowitzki, Peja, Terry, Barea, and Marion.
The Knicks' lineup also remained the same: Li Feng, Yao Ming, Shawne Williams, Lowry, and Billups.
As soon as the Mavericks got the ball, Terry hit a three-pointer, once again extending the lead to seven points.
Then, Li Feng began his performance.
He first passed the ball to Lowry. After crossing half-court, Li Feng faked a drive towards the paint.
Just as the defender tightly guarded him, Li Feng suddenly changed direction and retreated behind the three-point line.
Lowry immediately passed him the ball.
Li Feng caught it and shot instantly, his release as fast as lightning!
Swish!
Another three-pointer made!
This basket brought the deficit back to four points, giving the Knicks a glimmer of hope for a comeback.
With 2 minutes and 01 second left on the clock.
The Mavericks were on offense.
The ball reached Nowitzki.
Perhaps the old driver was truly tired. He forced a three-pointer, but it rimmed out. Yao Ming secured the rebound and flicked it to Shawne Williams.
Shawne received the ball and quickly drove, but Marion of the Mavericks fouled him by grabbing his arm.
The Mavericks had reached the foul limit, and Shawne went to the free-throw line.
For the Mavericks, these two free throws were worth it, as they feared Li Feng might hit another three-pointer.
Shawne, also showing some fatigue, made only one of his two free throws, despite usually being a reliable shooter.
115:112, the Knicks still trailed by three points.
With 1 minute and 36 seconds remaining, the Mavericks were on offense.
Barea used a screen to get to the corner and received a pass from Stevenson.
Just as he was about to shoot, Lowry, like a cannonball, flew in and swatted the ball away.
Barea was startled, shaking his head. He genuinely hadn't expected anyone to lunge at him.
The Mavericks' shot clock expired with only 3.4 seconds remaining. Peja inbounded the ball to Nowitzki.
Yao Ming stayed tight on the driver, forcing him to use a fadeaway jumper in a hurry!
The basketball rolled around the rim and bounced out.
Billups grabbed the rebound and threw a long pass to Li Feng.
Li Feng crossed half-court and immediately hit a trailing three-pointer!
115 all!
In the blink of an eye, the Knicks had tied the score.
The Dallas home crowd fell silent. The Mavericks fans couldn't believe what they were seeing!
Li Feng and his teammates exchanged excited high-fives and chest bumps, celebrating this moment.
Nowitzki stood with his hands on his hips, panting, shaking his head.
With 1 minute and 04 seconds left on the clock, the game was tied!