Chapter 493: Le Bron Will Walk Into the Same River

Swish!

Fan Xi retaliated in kind.

The game once again entered the rhythm of Fan Xi versus the Three Giants.

However, the Clippers had already recovered their vigor.

From the flow of the game, the Heat had a strong advantage earlier. Now they too have been dragged into a quagmire; they dare not act rashly and can only maintain their current lineup.

It was like two strongmen gripping a tough rubber band, both already exhausted, yet neither dared to let go or seek an alternative.

This was a deadlock.

It just depended on who could last the longest.

Charles Barkley believed the Heat still had the upper hand, because the Heat had three guns, while the Clippers only had Fan Xi's one, and the Clippers couldn't count on a flash of inspiration from Mili Xiqi.

"I can feel the pressure from Jie Ke, Le Bron, and Wade." Kobe said in the stands, his fist unnaturally clenched, he had broken into a sweat.

"Now it's not just a comparison of basketball skills, not just a comparison of basketball IQ, but also a comparison of willpower and determination." Jordan added: "Often victory or defeat comes at the moment of mental lapse."

"Now even God would have to wait for the coin to fall to know who the winner is."

Jordan said as such.

He admitted this was the most evenly matched, with no retreat, and most suspenseful showdown in history.

Moreover, this game would truly decide who is the league's number one between Fan Xi and Le Bron James, and who could dominate this era.

Both sides continued their high-intensity exchanges.

The atmosphere in the Staples Center turned unprecedentedly grim, even though they shouted in unison and cheered for the home team in unison.

But they soon realized their voices could no longer affect the game.

The Miami Heat Big Three were doing their thing.

Jieke Fan was doing the same.

They were highly focused on the game itself.

To the fans, this was an unprecedented feast.

Because both sides were displaying their high level, and there were no timeouts, no whistles.

The three main referees were like invisible men; despite both sides' strong defensive moves, they rarely blew their whistles.

This was the purest game.

So, although the offensive and defensive tempo wasn't fast, the high-level, blow-for-blow offense still let TV viewers shout with excitement.

James, Wade, Ke Li Si Bo Shen, Ray Allen, and Martin's coordination was seamless; despite the Clippers' defense putting up great resistance, the Three Giants could always tear through the defense with superhuman star power.

On the Clippers' side, Fan Xi still dominated everything.

The defensive intensity he faced was extremely fierce, James stuck to him like glue, and they were always ready to double-team, yet Fan Xi could still score and maintain decent efficiency.

Occasionally he would also pass; Leonard seemed to have found some mid-range jump shot feel, and Mili Xiqi and Little Jordan could also catch and score in the paint.

However, after Fan Xi was knocked down on a layup by Martin in the seventh minute of the fourth quarter, Fan Xi seemed to have run into a stamina problem; despite his efforts to hide it, one could still see his breathing fluctuating violently.

By comparison, Wade and Ke Li Si Bo Shen's fatigue was more apparent; each time they stopped play, they would half-squat to support their knees.

James could also see that.

The fatigue of the four superstars directly caused their offensive efficiency to drop in the second half, while Fan Xi made more passes.

This left Jordan puzzled: "He already has 59 points; he only needs one more shot to break the scoring record—why would he suddenly pass at this moment?"

"He's run out of stamina. He's probably conserving energy for the final moment." Kobe explained.

When there were still 2 minutes and 55 seconds left in the game.

Beep!

Pat Riley stood up to request a timeout, but the main referee ignored him until Spoelstra followed up.

By that point, Miami had to call a timeout; they needed to let their players rest.

At that moment, the score was 96 to 95.

Little Jordan's putback just now gave the Clippers a one-point lead.

Fan Xi's current total score was 59 points.

He was only one shot away from the NBA Finals single-game scoring record, and everyone knew he could make it.

The camera followed Fan Xi's steps to the bench; when his teammates had all sat down, he took the playbook from Bilupusi and casually put his hand on Maikelbang's shoulder.

This action was shown on the big screen.

Charles Barkley quickly made the judgment: "Jieke Fan's stamina is gone, Jieke Fan's stamina is gone. He's deliberately disguising it, pretending he's fine. Or maybe he's injured. Believe me, Jieke Fan is a great actor; in the summer of 2011, Le Bron was fooled by him! If Le Bron knew he was injured at the crucial moment, he could never be beaten at the buzzer! History would be rewritten!!"

He shouted on TV, deafeningly.

His voice was extremely loud.

It sounded like he wanted to use this method to tell James, to remind Miami.

But the sides were too far apart; obviously the Miami bench couldn't hear Barkley's shout.

What's more, what if Barkley was spreading false information!

Le Bron James, Wade, and Ke Li Si Bo Shen sat on the bench side by side; this was the most exhilarating game they had ever played, and also the game where they truly unleashed the Three Giants' energy to the utmost.

Although they were all tired now, Wade even grabbed two bags of ice at this moment and put them directly on his knees for cold compress.

Ke Li Si Bo Shen also gulped down the special sports drink in big mouthfuls.

James then lifted his head and looked at the big screen.

He watched Fan Xi's back as he arranged tactics on the bench, furrowed his brow, and was thinking about something.

He wondered: Is Fan Xi injured?

This was James's confusion.

Because before Fan Xi was knocked down from the air by Martin, during a breakthrough Fan Xi exerted too much torque; he clearly saw Fan Xi's shoe being kicked off, then Fan Xi passed the ball. Afterwards he calmly put his shoe back on.

Soon after, he was knocked down while charging into the penalty area.

James is a smart person, skilled at thinking through clues.

No one understands Fan Xi's abilities better than he does; under normal circumstances, Martin's ordinary defense couldn't even graze Fan Xi's clothes, yet he used violence to knock Fan Xi down from the air.

What does this indicate?

This shows that Fan Xi at least held back when jumping.

So… what reason caused him to hold back?

Injured!

Everyone knows Fan Xi is an actor, a box-office star; the comedy film he made with Zhan Ni Fu An Ni Si Dun is still generating profit on pay-TV channels.

Most importantly, Fan Xi had deceived James during their first meeting in the finals.

James could never forget that moment; Fan Xi's buzzer-beater from a standstill was his lifelong disgrace: he was like a pigeon tricked into flying by a grain in Prague's square, foolishly unable to find north.

James turned his head, his eyes fixed on Fan Xi's foot; he discovered Fan Xi was supporting himself with his left foot, his right hand resting on Maikelbang's shoulder, his right foot bearing no weight!

This might be Fan Xi's habitual move, making him more comfortable.

Another possibility is that he is injured.

Otherwise, why wouldn't he sit down?

"Le Bu Lang, you continue to guard Jieke Fan next; we will assign De Hui En to assist you on the left, you must exert all your strength to force him to break through from the left; if he attacks the penalty area from the right, don't rush, we will arrange..."

Pa Te Lai Li said, holding the tactical board.

James interrupted him, saying: "No, I have an immature suggestion."

Speaking, he stood up and voiced his idea.

This idea sounded somewhat unbelievable, but Pa Te Lai Li and the others furrowed their brows, actually seeming to be persuaded.

…

Di!

The whistle blew, and the game continued.

At this moment, the fans in the arena stood up again in silence.

The viewers in front of the TV also held their breath even more.

As time entered the countdown stage.

Everyone's mood became highly tense; everyone knew… what this match destined to be recorded in history meant.

James brought the ball to the top of the three-point arc, facing Lun Na De's defense.

He didn't hesitate much, he and Bo Shi set a pick-and-roll, then quickly drove into the three-point area from the left; Fan Xi rushed over from the left wing to make a defensive delay.

But James decisively passed the ball out.

At the same time, Fan Xi lunged toward Lei A Lun; his speed was still fast, but at the moment Lei A Lun released the ball, he did not jump up to block, but instead made a strange motion, clapping his hands loudly on Lei A Lun's crotch.

Bang!

Lei A Lun's shot missed.

The basketball bounced high; Wade rushed forward without regard for himself, he jumped up and tipped it, altering its trajectory and it fell back into the basket.

But at the same time, Wade fell to the ground in his confrontation with Butler, falling hard.

Although he protected his vital parts when landing thanks to his experience.

Despite gritting his teeth, he struggled to get up, twisting and turning as he ran toward the front court, only after crossing half-court did his posture return to normal.

Fan Xi quickly brought the ball to the top of the three-point arc.

The one defending Fan Xi was still James.

James stood in front of Fan Xi, arms outstretched, and said to Fan Xi: "Jie Ke, I know your tricks; you're just acting. You want to pretend to be tired, then hit us with a precise strike at the last moment, right?"

James employed psychological tactics against Fan Xi.

Fan Xi smiled and replied: "No, I'm pretending to be injured. I intend to make you think I'm really injured by feigning injury, then give you a fatal blow."

Fan Xi stopped, still showing his true colors.

Le Bu Lang Zhang Si's smart brain suffered a glitch.

He originally intended to use this probe to capture Fan Xi's reaction.

He didn't expect Fan Xi to directly say such a frank statement.

So, is he actually injured, or just pretending?

In the gap of his thoughts, Fan Xi quickly stepped left; James hurried to follow, but taking a step he bumped into Mili Xiqi's screen, his body hesitating for a moment.

Fan Xi entered the free-throw line; Wade moved laterally to meet him.

Fan Xi suddenly stopped, then went through a shooting motion.

Wade jumped up instinctively, while James behind him suddenly moved left.

He judged that Fan Xi would pass the ball to the open Butler on the left in a split second.

But his judgment was wrong.

When Wade jumped, Fan Xi directly passed the ball into the paint.

Xiao Qiao Dan caught the ball, stepped forward, and slammed it into the basket with his left hand.

A very perfect 'ball-leads-person'.

James didn't expect Fan Xi could still pass the ball into the paint from the front…… This is the kind of play coaches would stop kids from doing when they're learning basketball.

But Fan Xi violated this convention, taking a risk and reaping rich rewards.

James is now even more confused; he correctly judged that Fan Xi would pass, but didn't expect Fan Xi to pass inward.

So, is his final inference correct?

Is Fan Xi injured?

James's doubtful gaze looked toward Fan Xi.

Fan Xi suddenly, under James's gaze, made two motions of dragging his right leg while running forward, and also made an 'aiyo aiyo' sound.

Finally, he laughed and said to Lebulang: 'Guess whether I'm injured or not, Lebulang!'

James had a blank expression, but his heart surged tumultuously without cease.

Is this an injury or not?

Fan Xi gave him a difficult problem.

Patelaili on the bench also frowned.

This matter is very important, relating to the team's fate. As long as we win this game, tie the score, the Heat's chance of winning the championship will increase exponentially.

But, there isn't enough time left for them to think.

At the same time, Qiaodan and Kebi in the audience seats were also thinking.

Qiaodan said: 'Is Jie Ke really injured? Or does he want a triple-double? This is his ninth assist; he only needs two more rebounds and one more assist to achieve a triple-double.'

Kebi shook his head, saying: 'Jie Ke is not a stat junkie; he has no interest in a triple-double; his mind only has victory.'

'But, I also dare not confirm whether Jie Ke is truly injured. However, the one thing I can be certain of is that, regardless of whether Jie Ke is injured or not, he will not let Miami win easily.'

Kebi said a meaningless piece of nonsense.

Qiaodan frowned, muttering: 'Modern basketball is much more interesting than our era; it's not just about competing in skills, but also in acting. Is Jie Ke using actual actions to give Hao lai wu producers an audition?'

Moshushi Yuehunxun meanwhile turned his head to Laliboerde and said: 'Laliboerde, do you know? Jie Ke was injured in the previous finals; it was the Miami buzzer-beater, James's buzzer-beater. At the time I was on site, my intuition told me that history would repeat itself, and Jie Ke would once again buzzer-beat Lebulang.'

'Will Lebulang obediently get buzzer-beated in place just like last time?' Laliboerde replied incredulously.

'Who knows? In my impression, humans are incorrigible. The meaning of history is merely to tell people that history is constantly repeating.'

Moshushi Yuehunxun said a philosophical sentence: 'Lebulang will step into the same river.'

…