Chapter 182: Winning by the Unexpected, Unthinkable

Phil Jackson habitually turned his gaze toward Fan Xi.

This was the last method he could think of.

The Miami Heat were pressing forward all the way; if Fan Xi hadn't shouldered the burden, the suspense would have been lost by now.

In fact, when the camera swept over the few remaining fans in the arena, the only thing keeping them there was the "Miracle Child."

The Miracle Child has twice delivered a game‑winning kill against the Miami Heat—once in the Christmas showdown, once in the opening game of the finals—both times a clutch reversal in a desperate situation, both times over Dwyane Wade's head: each more spectacular than the last.

Reggie Miller also discussed this on TV, saying, "Next up, Dwyane Wade will guard Jie Ke; no one wants to avenge past humiliation more than he does now. He must stop Jie Ke once, then he can wash away the disgrace."

His words were spot on.

Now Miami has the perfect time, place, and people; all advantages point to them, and they have no reason to lose. It is precisely the moment to turn past humiliation into a comeback.

Yet on Miami's bench, Le Bu Lang Zhang Si said to Wei De, "Dehuai En, I'll guard him from now on. This guy can't break my defense; he's already fallen into my trap."

James is a steady person and believes in destiny; he thinks if Wei De guards, Fan Xi may create another miracle.

It could be that Jieke Fan is naturally a counter to Wei De.

Wei De bluntly said, "I won't hand him over to anyone; he's my prey. Le Bu Lang Zhang Si, you know me—I never back down."

James nodded; although he was very worried and felt inside that this could be a disaster, he still said nothing more.

The consensus on the Heat's bench was that Fan Xi would execute the Lakers' final attack, perhaps they would fast‑break for a shot.

But anyway, the ball would end up in his hands; besides him, who else does the Lakers have?

This is the consensus of fans worldwide.

It is also a fact acknowledged by Phil Jackson, the Lakers' coaching staff, and the Lakers players.

However, when Phil Jackson took the play board, gathered the players, and set a pick‑and‑roll for Fan Xi…

Fan Xi said, "I think we can try a different style. Right now everyone sees me as the only answer, and lately I've been the ball‑handler. But if we want to win, we must rely on the whole team's strength; we need to break the routine."

Break the routine?

Rely on the whole team's strength?

What nonsense.

Everyone looked at Fan Xi in disbelief, especially Bai Na Mu, who seemed a bit nervous: "Can a guy like me still help the team win?"

That's Bai Na Mu's nature: when things go smoothly he not only plays well but feels unrivaled, believing he deserves status, rights, glory, and wealth. Yet when the team falls into a dire crisis, he becomes listless, self‑pitying, thinking he shouldn't be the one to stand out because he lacks the ability.

Although he stands 216 cm tall, the tallest on the Lakers, his upright frame has long lost any backbone or spine.

"Lamar, you'll handle the ball in a moment."

Fan Xi continued, "My idea is that they're all watching me now, so instead I'll run out with Lamar from the free‑throw line, draw the defense, let Lamar catch the ball easily. Then we sprint into the paint, cross‑screen with Mike here, run to the two corners, stretch the defense. If Lamar gets a chance, he drives into the lane for a direct score."

"If there's no chance, he can pass to me, or to Andrew up high, or to Matt at the three‑point arc top."

Fan Xi made a simple arrangement.

He actually handed the ball‑control master to Lamar Odom.

It was a bold, unexpected move.

Even Lamar Odom hadn't anticipated it.

"You don't want James to mock you in front of Kola, do you?" Fan Xi whispered into Odom's ear.

He didn't hesitate to recite two lines of poetry at Odom's ear.

At that moment, Odom shivered, straightened his back, and his tone hardened as he said, "I will definitely complete this task."

Normally, a player setting tactics for the head coach is a major NBA taboo, especially for a mastermind like Phil Jackson.

But the current situation can no longer be judged by ordinary logic.

After the Lakers lost Kobe and Gasol, they no longer have the chance to win by pure righteousness; they must win by the unexpected.

Phil Jackson agreed, but also said both sets of tactics would run simultaneously; if Lamar Odom fails to receive the ball, let Jieke Fan run the pick‑and‑roll and execute the final attack.

Beep!

The whistle sounded quickly.

When Fan Xi and the others stepped onto the court, Staples Center felt a bit stale; the huge arena held only about seven thousand people, most had already left.

Fan Xi immediately raised his hands high.

The home crowd's spirit finally rose loudly at his "call."

Matt Barnes stood at the sideline, preparing the half‑court inbound.

Fan Xi and Lamar Odom sprinted out from the free‑throw line together, one ahead of the other.

Sure enough, Wei De stayed tightly beside Fan Xi.

Le Bu Lang Zhang Si interfered with Matt Barnes at the sideline.

James's height and wingspan far exceeded Barnes's; he cast a massive shadow over Barnes, and at that moment Fan Xi suddenly changed direction, darting quickly behind James, causing James to instinctively turn his head.

Barnes quickly passed the ball to Lamar Odom.

Odom caught the ball.

Unexpectedly, Wei De and James still guarded Fan Xi.

Fan Xi hurriedly led them into the paint; at the free‑throw line, Fan Xi and Deng Liwei cross‑screened, Fan Xi sprinted left while Mike Miller chased.

At this point, Wei De was pulled toward Deng Liwei's side.

Spotting the chance, Fan Xi used Bai Na Mu's lift, spun sharply in front of him, using the body to evade Miller.

He ran toward the three‑point line.

Simultaneously, while crossing screens with Deng Liwei, Lamar Odom launched his offense, charging the lane; Hassell couldn't stop him.

Soon he reached the free‑throw line; at that moment James almost instinctively reached for Odom's ball.

Odom leapt, James lunged, but Odom, in mid‑air, flung the ball toward the left‑corner.

It's over!

Wade in the right low corner let out a shout.

He knew everything was over.

Miami fell into Fan Xi's trick once again.

Fan Xi received the ball at the low corner and shot quickly… swish!

Three-Point Shot made.

123:122.

Los Angeles Lakers took the lead by 1 point.

31 seconds remained in the game.

In theory, each side had one possession left.

When Fan Xi's three-pointer pierced Miami's heart, Staples Center erupted with soaring energy again.

The roar of 7,000 people ripped through the sky.

MVP! MVP! MVP!

The collective shout took everyone back to before the fourth quarter.

At this moment, people were once again filled with yearning for victory.

The Lakers Bench also leapt as Fan Xi's three-pointer went in; everyone cheered the basket, their faces alight with excitement.

The duke's ladies, though seated differently and holding different stances, had already stood up; when Fan Xi hit the three, they shouted MVP just like everyone else!

The stern Fan Xi was, in their hearts, like a majestic general—omnipotent!

A true man should be like that.

Who wouldn't want their dream lover to be a great hero?

At this moment, Fan Xi fulfilled all their fantasies of a hero.

Beep!

Miami called a timeout.

Spoelstra was a bit stunned.

He didn't expect Fan Xi to be off the ball, nor that she would make that three-pointer, and it was an open shot.

"That kid is really full of tricks; he had been dribbling one‑on‑one all along, and at this crucial moment he actually dared…"

Spoelstra muttered under his breath.

To Lakers fans, this was the embodiment of ultimate heroism.

On the Heat side, however, it was cunning and treacherous.

Wade and James clenched their teeth on the way back to the bench. Both swore they would lock down Fan Xi, yet in the end they lost her, and Fan Xi even made an open shot.

A terrible disgrace!

James and Wade were haunted by this answer.

But fortunately, there was still a chance.

This wasn't a game‑ending kill.

"We must never let him pull the strings again."

James said this as he returned to the bench.

Dwyane Wade nodded heavily.

Spoelstra grabbed the playboard and began setting up tactics. He devised two schemes; although they were nominally the Three Giants, at the crucial moment Ke Li Si Bo Shen was just a spot‑up shooter, and even outside the clutch he had little initiative.

James and Wade each received a play.

Spoelstra told them to control the tempo, use up the full 24 seconds, and lock down the upcoming defense.

"They have no timeout," Spoelstra said. "This is our advantage."

"And they must choose between you."

It seemed the advantage was entirely in the Heat's hands.

However, at this moment they should recall… this situation mirrors the Christmas showdown of the regular season.

Back then, Miami also chose to run the full 24 seconds, only to be countered by Fan Xi at the last moment.

"Will history repeat itself?"

Reggie Miller's casual remark sent the backstage viewership soaring.

Tonight, if the Lakers win, they'll lead 3‑1, secure a match point, and with home‑court advantage the Lakers could still have a shot at the championship.

But if Miami forces it to 2‑2, given the Heat's current momentum and the Lakers lacking two key stars…

Los Angeles is undoubtedly doomed.

…

"Relax, James."

Fan Xi said on the bench, resolutely: "He's not as scary as Wade. Let him receive the ball, let him play. Lamar, you go guard him; you can definitely hold him—he has no reason to make the shot."

Fan Xi's judgment differed somewhat from Phil Jackson's.

The Zen master wanted Wade to take the final attack, because Matt Barnes' defense was a bit better. Moreover, James was Miami's marquee player, and the biggest storyline of this year's finals was James vs. Kobe, which made him the most dangerous.

But Fan Xi stubbornly disagreed.

Phil Jackson hesitated for a few seconds, then agreed with Fan Xi's suggestion.

Then he said, "Let's discuss the final attack. If Miami leaves us 10 seconds, what do we do? Do we go as we did before?"

"No," Fan Xi shook his head, telling his teammates, "Whoever gets the rebound, pass it to me immediately; I'll take care of them."

Fan Xi was very resolute.

At this point, he was the Lakers' final answer, the sole truth.

No one fails to be convinced by him.

What he says are profound maxims.

This is the persuasive power accumulated from victory.

An De Lu Bai Na Mu will never reach this level in his lifetime; although he and Fan Xi are considered a pair of bright talents, deep down they are not on the same level.

However, at this moment he became inexplicably tougher: "Jie Ke, if you need cover, just blow a whistle."

"I need you to flip anyone who breaches the restricted zone from the air," Fan Xi said seriously to Bai Na Mu: "You can do it. Hao lai wu women all like this."

Fan Xi activated a massive killing move.

Bai Na Mu instantly became solemn and dignified, saying, "Guard the restricted zone; it's just my duty."

It actually showed a hint of generous, hot‑blooded spirit.

Dii!

The whistle sounded quickly.

The game continued.

Sure enough, Fan Xi lunged to Wei De's side, sticking to him like taffy; Wei De was locked in close by Fan Xi, and the basketball was passed into Le Bu Lang Zhang Si's hands.

James dribbled to the top of the three‑point arc, slowed the pace, and Lamar Odom stood before him; the two towering players faced each other, eyes brimming with killing intent.

"Take him down, La Ma Er!! Take down this Heaven's Chosen Son!!"

Ke Le Ka Dai Shan and his sisters stood up to cheer for Ao Duo Mu.

Ao Duo Mu's blood boiled, but at that moment he saw a hint of mockery at the corner of James, the Heaven's Chosen Son's mouth.

This gave him a huge stimulus; he had always taken pride in his wife.

Now James's lofty demeanor deeply offended him.

At that moment he let out a low growl and, heedless, charged forward.

James was completely caught off guard.

He never even dreamed that Lamar Odom would play so off‑script.

Moreover, Ao Duo Mu's aggressive steal made James a bit flustered; James's ball‑handling can only be described as league‑average, but his body is very strong.

He twisted his body sideways and braced against Ao Duo Mu.

Then he quick‑stepped inward, breaking the situation.

But once his footwork started moving, it wouldn't stop.

He couldn't keep playing by the tactic, consuming 24 seconds.

Stuck on a tiger, he kept advancing, ignoring Wei De's run to the three‑point perimeter for the ball.

He quickly surged into the paint; as he jumped to shoot, An De Lu Bai Na Mu lunged at him like a ferocious demon, his face fierce, as if heading straight for a foul.

James was very clever; he knew that standing on the free‑throw line might not guarantee both shots.

He quickly passed the ball; inside the restricted zone, Ke Li Si Bo Shen received it and surged inward… swish!

The basketball fell into the hoop.

124:123.

Miami Heat took a 1‑point lead.

But there were still 21 seconds left.

This offensive gave the Heat a scoring advantage, yet they lost the initiative.

The Lakers have ample time for their final attack.

Who will deliver the final kill?

…