When Li Feng encountered fierce double-teams, Yao Ming's importance became apparent, and he was completely unleashed on offense.
In another parallel world, after Yao Ming retired, it caused immense controversy among fans.
Some fans believed Yao Ming was a traditional center who couldn't adapt to the later small-ball storm.
Because Yao Ming was tall and heavy, he would quickly tire after a few runs.
Many fans held this opinion and thought they were quite reasonable.
But they overlooked one thing: Yao Ming's unparalleled shooting ability.
After all, during Yao Ming's playing days, centers rarely shot three-pointers.
Moreover, the Rockets needed Yao Ming to do too much, lacking even a decent backup in the early stages.
Not only that, but they also forced Yao Ming to gain weight endlessly to contend with those tough, strong, big white bears, engaging in physical battles with them.
This led to increased injuries for Yao Ming and a shorter career.
Even so, Yao Ming left a significant mark in NBA history and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Many interior players from various countries regarded Yao Ming as an idol.
Because during Yao Ming's era, he dominated most opposing interior players, often overwhelming them!
...
After Spo's timeout, Yao Ming took over the game, leaving Spo with a wry smile.
Truly, when one door closes, another opens; push down one gourd and another pops up.
Li Feng had help, and the Heat was starting to falter.
Not only did Yao Ming perform excellently on offense, but he also turned the paint into a no-fly zone on defense.
LeBron James's drives lost their effectiveness under the dual threat of inside and outside pressure.
With 8 minutes and 52 seconds left in the third quarter, the score was 85-73, with the Knicks leading by twelve points.
Spo's brow furrowed, his mind racing.
There was only one possibility for the Heat to come back: take Yao Ming out of the game.
Now, with the third quarter nearly over, Yao Ming had 3 fouls.
So, Spo gestured to his players, signaling Dwyane Wade to draw a foul on Yao Ming.
Wade had actually had this idea earlier, but LeBron James had been too aggressive, keeping the ball in his hands, so Wade barely got to touch the ball.
Now that the coach had given the order, LeBron James had no choice but to hand the ball over to Wade.
Wade took the ball and, without hesitation, drove towards the basket.
Li Feng and Yao Ming, with their extremely high basketball IQs, immediately saw through Wade's intention.
Just as Li Feng was about to warn Yao Ming, Yao Ming smartly took a step back, choosing not to actively defend Wade.
Meanwhile, Bill Walker appeared in time, blocking Wade's path.
This demonstrated the incredible mobility of the Knicks' team defense.
Wade, helpless, could only draw a foul on Bill Walker.
There was no other way; it was impossible to stop the "Flash" without fouling him on his drive!
However, the Knicks hadn't reached their foul limit yet, and the Heat took the ball out of bounds.
Having seen through the Heat's intention, Li Feng positioned himself in front of Wade during his next drive.
Even though Wade had gained half a step, Li Feng stayed close to him, preventing him from reaching the paint.
Yao Ming was well protected, and by the end of the third quarter, he still only had three fouls.
This was the first time this season that Yao Ming had played through the end of the third quarter.
It indicated that Yao Ming's physical condition had recovered well, and also that this game was incredibly important, with all the Knicks players giving their all!
The Heat's Big Three and Li Feng and Yao Ming both played the entire third quarter, highlighting the intensity of the game.
Yao Ming was utterly exhausted. After he came off the court, he sank into his chair, gasping for breath.
Li Feng sat beside Yao Ming, extremely excited. With Yao Ming's contribution in the third quarter, the Knicks' advantage had grown considerably.
Yao Ming scored 17 points in the third quarter, bringing his total for the game to 29!
This was also Yao Ming's most efficient game of the season.
However, Yao Ming knew that his stellar performance today was partly due to the Heat's focused defense on Li Feng.
The relentless double-teams throughout the game had opened up more opportunities for other Knicks players.
D'Antoni was also deeply moved. In the previous eight-plus minutes of the third quarter, he had intended to substitute Yao Ming for a rest, but Yao Ming refused.
Facing the Heat's Big Three, not a moment could be relaxed.
Especially in the first game, they had to fight for every possession, so Yao Ming insisted on playing through the third quarter.
However, Yao Ming would definitely need more rest in the fourth quarter.
Both teams fielded their substitute lineups.
The Knicks' reserves also played with grit today. When Chauncey Billups saw that LeBron James was not on the court, he felt confident.
After all, LeBron James had also played the entire third quarter, and he was only human, needing a few minutes of rest.
The reserve players battled fiercely, with the score remaining around a 12-point difference.
Just under three minutes into the fourth quarter, LeBron James surprisingly returned to the game.
He truly was an iron man, possessing historically great physical talent.
After LeBron James entered the game, Li Feng, unwilling to be outdone, also came back onto the court during the next Heat free throw.
Seeing Li Feng return early, LeBron James was taken aback.
Upon entering the game, Li Feng immediately implemented targeted defense on LeBron James, making his play extremely difficult.
Jordan Hill provided help defense in the paint, while Li Feng and Billups harassed him on the perimeter, causing LeBron James to struggle with every offensive attempt.
At one point, he even committed a turnover, with Li Feng stealing the ball.
In the crucial moments of the fourth quarter, the duel between the two teams' core players, with a turnover, had a drastically different impact on the morale of both sides.
The Knicks players were energized, while the Heat players' spirits seemed to dip.
Li Feng seized the opportunity for a step-back three-pointer, extending the lead to 15 points.
Spo sighed and called another timeout.
The Heat home crowd was disappointed. At the end of the first half, they had already seen hope for victory.
Who would have thought that the tide would turn so drastically in the second half? How could they accept this?
Wade and LeBron James sat on the bench, not even listening to Spo's speech. At this point in the game, tactics were no longer important.
What the Heat desperately needed now was for an offensive core to step up and go on a scoring run to keep the game suspenseful.
With over eight minutes left in the game and a 15-point deficit, the situation was dire.
"LeBron, Wade, how about you increase your shooting, what do you say?"
Spo suddenly walked up to the two players and pointed to the tactical board.
On the board, Spo had drawn the offensive zones of both teams.
The Heat's offensive zones were too concentrated in the paint, as neither LeBron James nor Wade excelled at three-point shooting.
Although Chris Bosh's three-point shooting was decent, he often had to help defend Yao Ming in the paint.
This made it extremely difficult for the Heat to catch up.
As long as Yao Ming or Jordan Hill was in the paint, it became very crowded.
LeBron James and Wade nodded in agreement.
Although outside shooting wasn't their forte, they could still make shots in critical moments.
Especially LeBron James, who in his early years with the Cavaliers often hit three-pointers to tie or win games.
He was more accurate in crucial moments.
After the timeout, the game resumed.
Li Feng and Yao Ming never expected LeBron James and Wade to suddenly change their playing style.
They switched from driving to shooting.
This was a gamble!
Fortunately, Heat head coach Spo won the gamble.
LeBron James and Wade's shooting touch was on fire.
Swish!
LeBron James immediately hit a three-pointer, catching his defender, Bill Walker, completely off guard.
Then, Wade made two consecutive mid-range shots. Li Feng couldn't defend Wade effectively, mainly because he didn't expect it.
Li Feng had been giving Wade a half-step of space, not allowing him to drive, but who knew he would be so determined to shoot?
Swish, swish!
With LeBron James and Wade unleashing their firepower, the Heat's offense suddenly became revitalized.
The Knicks' defense was in disarray, with players feeling a bit lost.
This was the advantage of having shooting ability; it was impossible to defend.
If you play tight, they blow by you; if you give them space, they shoot!
LeBron James's three-point percentage this season was only around thirty percent, but in the fourth quarter, he was 3-of-4 from beyond the arc!
Wade's mid-range game had always been consistent, but in the fourth quarter today, he was shooting at his best.
A superstar is a superstar, performing at their peak in critical moments!
With nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Heat only trailed the Knicks by 2 points.
D'Antoni called two consecutive timeouts, but neither could halt the Heat's offensive onslaught.
Li Feng was also frustrated; his worst fear had come true.
He had always worried about LeBron James and Wade's shooting suddenly erupting.
After the first three quarters, Li Feng thought these two wouldn't attempt outside shots and would only focus on driving.
He didn't expect Spo to be such a master strategist, possessing genuine skill.
The Heat home crowd became excited again, seeing hope for victory once more. They all stood up, cheering for the Heat's scoring run.
With just 2 minutes and 35 seconds left, the score on the board was 107-110, with the Knicks leading by three points.
It was still unclear who would emerge victorious!
Whether the Heat would hold their home court or the Knicks would regain home-court advantage would be decided in the final two minutes.
During the timeout, D'Antoni repeatedly emphasized double-teams and help defense.
"Kids, I know you've all reached your physical limits, but the importance of the first game is undeniable. If we fight through this one, victory will be ours!"
Spo, indeed, was quick-witted. During the timeout, he told LeBron James and Wade that after their shooting opened up, they should combine it with drives!
This strategy was truly brilliant.
With the threat of their shooting, their drives would become even more potent.
As expected, after the timeout, LeBron James drove to the basket with a pump fake, drawing the defender into the air, and then drove into the paint.
Due to the suddenness of the play, the Knicks players were caught off guard, and Yao Ming had to come over to help.
However, he was a half-step too late, and the referee called a blocking foul, sending LeBron James to the free-throw line.
Despite his significant exertion in the fourth quarter, LeBron James remained composed and sank both free throws!
110-109, the Heat now trailed by only 1 point!
The Heat fans at the American Airlines Arena went wild again, cheering loudly for their players.
There were 2 minutes and 14 seconds remaining.
The Knicks' possession.
Li Feng dribbled past half-court. Facing a double-team, he didn't pass but called for a double screen.
Tyson Chandler and Bill Walker immediately moved to screen off Dwyane Wade and Mario Chalmers.
As Li Feng drove towards the paint, he saw LeBron James blocking his path.
At this crucial moment, LeBron James was truly everywhere!
But Li Feng, having experienced many big moments, remained calm. Facing LeBron James's long reach, he first used a crossover to throw off LeBron's balance.
Then, with a burst of speed, he gained half a step on LeBron James.
LeBron James had no choice. He couldn't let Li Feng get to the basket, as a dunk from Li Feng would be devastating.
A dunk from Li Feng at this late stage would significantly boost the Knicks' morale and be a psychological blow to the Heat players.
Therefore, LeBron James fouled Li Feng, taking a charge and sending him to the free-throw line.
Li Feng also secretly admired LeBron James's high basketball IQ. He had intended to drive to the basket for a potential and-one, but LeBron James denied him that opportunity.
Li Feng stood at the free-throw line and made both shots, restoring the lead to 3 points.
112-109!
With 1 minute and 48 seconds remaining.
The Heat's possession.
LeBron James received the ball again, and Li Feng and Billups converged to double-team him.
Wade ran free, but LeBron James didn't pass to Wade. Instead, he passed to Chris Bosh.
Bosh, facing Amar'e Stoudemire's defense, took a contested shot, but it unfortunately missed.
Wade's expression turned somewhat grim, but he said nothing and quickly retreated on defense.
Yao Ming secured the rebound and passed it to Bill Walker. Bill Walker was fast, crossing half-court in the blink of an eye.
LeBron James and Wade were fighting hard, also crossing half-court and keeping pace with Bill Walker.
Bill Walker, aware of his own limitations, didn't dare to drive. Instead, he stopped near the sideline and passed the ball to Lowry, who came to receive it.
Wade intercepted Lowry, and Li Feng rushed over.
Lowry passed the ball to Li Feng.
This possession was crucial. With only one minute left and the Knicks leading by three points, if this shot went in, they would lead by five and be on the verge of victory.
After receiving the ball, Li Feng faked a drive into the paint.
As LeBron James and Wade positioned themselves near the free-throw line, ready to stop Li Feng, Li Feng suddenly pulled back with a step-back to the three-point line!
LeBron James and Wade's hearts sank, and they knew something was wrong; Li Feng was going to shoot a three-pointer.
In this era, only Li Feng played like this, as Stephen Curry's three-point prowess was still un unleashed.
Swish!
With no one guarding him, Li Feng made the three-pointer!
115-109!
It was spectacular, choosing a three-pointer over a two-pointer!
And with only 58 seconds left on the clock!
Spo, resigned, called another timeout.
The Knicks players rushed over excitedly and hugged Li Feng. This shot had pushed the Heat to the brink of defeat.
As long as they didn't make any major mistakes, the Knicks were poised to secure the victory.
However, Li Feng did not let his guard down. While his teammates celebrated, he shouted, "The game isn't over yet, keep defending!"
LeBron James and Wade noticed Li Feng's shout. They sighed inwardly, recognizing Li Feng's superstar-caliber mentality.
Even at this critical juncture, he remained so calm!
After the timeout, the Heat inbounded the ball from the frontcourt.
Spo's designed play was for Wade to drive to the paint and then pass to LeBron James to finish the play.
Wade received the ball and executed the play.
However, Kyle Lowry fought desperately, managing to prevent Wade from driving, which wasted several seconds of the Heat's offensive clock.
Wade couldn't drive past him and had to pass the ball to LeBron James.