Chapter 181: Lakers Reach Their Most Dangerous Moment

Lao Wente buried his head tightly between his hands, breathing hard through the gaps of his fingers, and he no longer knew how to describe his panic at this moment.

He is a well‑read, broad‑minded man and also a man of firm will. Yet at this moment, when Pau Gasol was being carried out of the arena wailing, his inner world collapsed.

Just minutes earlier, he was still daydreaming about the Los Angeles Lakers completing another three‑peat dynasty, and he had even figured out how to celebrate.

But now, with Gasol injured, he was truly desperate; he realized this was Heaven's injustice, that Heaven would not allow the Lakers to win the championship.

Kobe plus Gasol is equivalent to the Bulls dynasty missing Jordan and Pippen.

This is not half of Los Angeles' territory.

The Miami championship trophy is within easy reach.

The suppressed mood in the arena is visible to the naked eye.

Even someone as resolute as Kobe clenches his teeth now, his head down, and no one knows what he's thinking.

Phil Jackson was even frozen in place; the sudden blow had hit him hard.

At that moment, a clear, firm voice rang out: "Hold on, I'll take the free throws. Andrew, I'll deliberately miss my second shot; you stand on the left side."

"Mike, you must sprint from the top of the arc to the left‑corner three‑point area; when Andrew grabs the rebound, he'll pass to you."

"At this moment, the Miami Heat are getting cocky; we need to strike at their heart."

Fan Xi said seriously.

His tone was as usual, neither artificially pumped up nor listless.

He remained that calm, as if nothing had happened.

The players' gazes turned toward him.

Everyone was first stunned, then their bewildered eyes cleared.

Yes, Duke Jack is still here.

Phil Jackson quickly regained his composure and said, "We'll do as Jack said."

Beep!

The whistle blew.

The game continued.

With six minutes left, the Lakers still led by twelve points.

Fan Xi, Barnes, Deng Liwei, Odom, and Bai Na Mu stepped onto the court.

With Kobe and Gasol out, the Lakers' proud depth vanished.

More importantly, having lost both interior and exterior cores, the Lakers' whole system is now battered and riddled with holes; even if Fan Xi could patch it, it's beyond repair.

"Los Angeles gave up Gasol and Kobe; even my grandmother could step in and lift the O'Brien Cup together with the Three Giants."

Reggie Miller said succinctly on TV.

This is already the consensus.

Although anything can happen on the court, the rules must ultimately be followed.

Swish!

Fan Xi's first shot went in.

Then he fouled the second ball.

Sure enough, his basketball slammed into the left rim edge and flew toward Bai Na Mu.

Bai Na Mu cut in quickly but was half a beat too slow; Ke Li Si Bo Shen seized his lower back, preventing his jump.

At that instant, a purple‑golden figure surged into the paint and leapt. He met Wade, who was in a white jersey, in the air; Wade also tried to claim the rebound.

But his method was just a ordinary rebound grab.

Fan Xi, however, employed a slap‑ball technique.

He slapped the ball out of the paint, sending it toward the three‑point line.

Mai Ke Deng Liwei rushed in, and although the pass was a bit hurried,

he caught the ball, made a slight adjustment, and released it easily.

Fan Xi was right.

Miami's defense was lax at this moment, the perfect time for complacency.

Swish!

Three‑point made.

The gap widened to sixteen points.

The stale Staples Center erupted in cheers, dispelling much of the gloom.

Pat Riley cursed from the bench, "That bastard ruined my plan."

He sprang to his feet, ignoring Spoelstra still on the sideline, shedding the pretense of a "bench doctor," and shouted onto the court: "Press harder; they're at the end of their rope—make a miracle happen."

Pat Riley's encouragement fired up the Heat; they wanted to take advantage of the Lakers' leaderless state and crush Los Angeles in one blow.

Although Fan Xi is still a bit troublesome, he is ultimately a rookie; without Kobe and Gasol shielding him, what tricks can he still pull off?

Just a supporting‑type genius.

Wade pierced Matt Barnes's defense, then passed to Le Bu Lang Zhang Si, who feigned a run past Deng Liwei, soaring in the paint and slamming the ball from Odom's side into the hoop.

After Gasol's departure, the Lakers' paint became a playground for the "little emperor," subject to wanton abuse.

Gasol isn't some iron‑clad river‑crossing figure; his defensive quality may not surpass Odom's.

But his departure made the Lakers timid before the battle; Odom and Bai Na Mu were both dazed—Bai Na Mu's earlier failure to grab the rebound was proof, and now Odom has also lost his aerial presence.

"In the end, not everyone has the fearless heart of Jack."

Phil Jackson sighed, even lamenting, "Heaven wills it, and some things cannot be done."

He has been in the league for years, renowned for his composure. The media say he loves Eastern philosophy, and that's true. He rarely erupts on the sidelines, never roars, partly to show off, and partly because he trusts the prevailing tide—he drives it, using momentum to press others.

Now, the advantage is not on his side.

He could only resign himself to fate.

Fan Xi is not such a person. He insists on going against heaven.

Take your positions.

Fan Xi took the basketball from Deng Liwei and instructed his teammates.

As he stepped into the front court, he told the screening Odom: "Lamar, lock down your paint, make your mark—tonight is the night."

Fan Xi's face was full of... heroic fervor.

His voice was filled with a kind of magic.

He had no intention of being timid; everyone heard excitement in his words, as if he were bewitching everyone: "Seek wealth in danger; tonight Kobe and Gasol are not here. Although we are few and weak, if we rob this bank, no one will share with us."

He's really a madman.

Wei De, standing opposite Fan Xi, thought to himself:

But he also had to admit that Fan Xi's idea had some merit.

Just, is my Miami Heat so easy for you to plunder?

If you want to achieve eternal glory, you will surely push us into endless shame.

Dream on!

Wei De gritted his teeth, his cheeks bulging more.

On the other side of the ocean, a group of fans always tease him: "The stronger the ability, the bigger the cheeks."

But now...... bang!

Fan Xi suddenly changed direction, lowering his center of gravity to the minimum, almost skimming the ground, releasing his speed and explosive power to the utmost, and pressing forward irresistibly.

There is a determination that knows no return.

In an instant, Wei De's defense was torn open.

Although James was eager to try at the free-throw line, Fan Xi still plunged into that opening without hesitation.

Place oneself in a deadly situation to survive.

He had no other way out.

Nothing more than a fight for his life.

"Hmph, a cornered beast still fights!"

Pat Riley snorted coldly from the sidelines.

Fan Xi indeed fell into the double-team of the two superstars James and Wade; Fan Xi quickly jumped up, he threw the basketball toward the basket... bang!

The basketball hit the rim.

Lamar Odom and Bai Na Mu had a chance to grab the frontcourt rebound, but they failed to do so.

The rebound was secured by Haslem.

But just as he raised the basketball to pass to Wade, a purple-gold figure shot past... slap!

He actually jumped up and slapped the ball directly from behind his head.

Fan Xi grabbed the basketball, then leapt up for a layup, but James directly from behind pressed him and the ball down... whistle!

The head referee blew the whistle.

Fan Xi stepped to the free-throw line for two free throws.

The entire arena fell silent in respect.

Fan Xi was like a blood-soaked lone defender in a doomed movie.

He was like a warrior.

The Miami players around him were like victors holding blades, ready to slice him piece by piece.

The Staples Center fans felt much resentment in their hearts.

No one wants to be the side destined for tragedy.

So, Fan Xi's struggle at this moment seemed especially lonely in their hearts, like a roar locked in an iron cage.

But Fan Xi had no time for these.

Swish!

Swish!

He calmly made both free throws.

He also did not blame Bai Na Mu and Lamar Odom in the paint like Kobe did, although his situation now is more isolated and helpless than Kobe's from 04-07.

But after making the free throws, he instead told Bai Na Mu and Lamar Odom: "You don't need to be nervous; even if the sky falls, I'm still here."

Fan Xi's tone was calm and sincere.

This stirred Bai Na Mu and Lamar Odom's hearts faintly.

They are not exactly tenacious fighters; Odom is known for spacing out on the court, while Bai Na Mu is the type who shows up for good things and hides for bad; in tough battles, Bai Na Mu has never stepped up.

But Fan Xi still believed in them.

Because besides them, there was no one else to trust.

James broke through Deng Liwei's defense, then drove into the paint; Bai Na Mu again went to defend, but lacked the previous vigor to stop James, James bumped him in the air and finished with a dunk over his head, creating a 2+1.

Hesitation leads to defeat.

James excitedly pounded his chest, letting out a roar.

Bai Na Mu seemed to turn invisible in an instant, no longer showing any vigor.

Left to be slaughtered.

Kobe Bryant on the sidelines was gnashing his teeth in anger; his stern gaze could even riddle Bai Na Mu with holes.

A bunch of helpless A Dou.

"Jie Ke did his best."

Kobe ultimately sighed helplessly, recalling his former self.

Swish!

James made the free throw as expected; he now is full of spring pride, his horse's hooves swift.

Previously his condition was indeed poor, but now the Lakers are full of holes, and his condition has immediately bounced back.

Regained its magnificent appearance.

"LeBron and Dwyane, who will win Finals MVP is still hard to say."

Mai Ke Bu Lin started discussing the Finals MVP issue, but the subject shifted from earlier Fan Xi and Pau Gasol to James and Wei De.

Commentators are just wind-direction manufacturing machines; if they don't even know how to adjust to the wind, how can they earn their living?

However, what he said is indeed true.

Whether it's Reggie Miller sitting beside him, or global viewers before their TVs, or the home fans, everyone thinks the Heat will win this game, tying the series at 2-2, entering the Pivotal Game, and eventually defeating the Lakers 4-2 in Miami.

This is a logical inference.

That's also why many die-hard Lakers fans turned off their TVs.

In Zhongguo across the ocean, viewership even plummeted by half.

People no longer want to watch Fan Xi's desperate resistance being slowly sliced apart by the Three Giants.

The game continued.

Advancing irreversibly toward Miami's victory.

Staples Center fans began to leave.

Because although Fan Xi gave his all on the court, he was practically struggling in the mud, putting up a resistant fight.

But the gap was still narrowing.

Moreover, everyone could see the Miami players becoming more relaxed, their expressions shifting from ashen to increasingly elated.

James and Wei De's suppression of Fan Xi was highly successful; two historic superstars pitted against a rookie in a hunting game, Fan Xi, though stumbling, could score a few points, but it was miserable and pathetic, he staggered and fell all over.

Tai Lei Si Wu Fu Te on the sidelines could no longer bear to watch, covering her eyes with both hands, her expression full of pain.

Jenna was also sorrowful; Vanessa comforted her beside her, and Si Jia Li, Si Jia Li propped her chin with both hands, her face blank yet appearing lonely.

On the contrary, the Kardashian family kept shouting from the sidelines, cheering for Fan Xi and doing everything possible to influence the referee's calls; whenever Fan Xi fell, they would boo or shout foul.

Although they were voluptuous, as if carrying several basketballs, they really didn't understand the game.

Thus, with 1 minute 11 seconds left in the game, Wei De dunked over Lamar Odom's head and then trash-talked Odom: "Can't you control those women? Your wife's voice is truly awful."

That remark offended Lamar Odom.

Khloe is Lamar Odom's sore point.

But Wei De didn't care.

He tied the score.

He had previously been behind by as much as 16 points.

But he and his close brothers made up the deficit in just five minutes.

Afterward, they also blocked Barnes's jumper.

Turning his head, swish!

Ke Li Si Bo Shen made a free-throw line jumper.

122:120.

The Miami Heat led for the first time in the game.

At that moment, 39 seconds remained in the game.

Beep!

Phil Jackson requested a timeout.

The Miami Heat bench erupted.

James and Wei De even jumped up excitedly in front of Fan Xi, bumping shoulders.

"Jie Ke, go for it!!"

Tai Lei Si Wu Fu Te stood up, shouting for Fan Xi on the sidelines.

Not far away, Jenna also shouted the same phrase.

They spoke in unison.

They were a beautiful sight on the sidelines.

But Staples Center didn't have so many people appreciating it.

Twenty thousand fans left, more than half.

After Pau Gasol left, with such a dire reversal, nobody could bear to witness the final misery.

Most fans had come seeking some happiness.

Of course, some fans thought, "Maybe it's because I'm sitting here that the home team can't beat them."

Regardless, the Lakers had reached a life-or-death moment.

Fan Xi came to the bench; Phil Jackson held the tactic board, pondering what final play to set up.

…