Chapter 494: Jordan Is Stumped

The final moment has arrived.

James and Wade coordinated in the frontcourt; despite looking exhausted, Wade executed a slick spin move to get past Butler, then surged into the paint with a near‑ground‑hugging flight, tossed the ball high, James drove in and, with one hand, dropped the ball into the hoop.

The James‑Wade connection still delivers powerful offense.

Everyone in the arena held their breath, waiting for Jieke Fan's response. Now the team can only rely on Fan Xi, who has been trying to activate his teammates lately. qqxδnew

But every pass from Fan Xi leaves the spectators feeling hollow; at the crucial moment they trust only Fan Xi.

Fan Xi brings the ball into the frontcourt with just over a minute left in the game.

He appears relaxed as the lead swaps back and forth.

Fan Xi does not rush to launch a quick offense.

James stays in front of Fan Xi, continuously trash‑talking: "You're injured! You can't fool me, you're injured. You're trying to pretend you're not hurt."

James keeps emphasizing that.

But what he projects is only guilt, and only guilt repeats its confirmation.

Fan Xi looks calm, even a mocking smile at the corner of his mouth. In a sense, Fan Xi holds a psychological edge.

Now it remains to see whether he can turn that mental edge into a game advantage.

Fan Xi quickly initiates, lunging left; James follows left, then Fan Xi cuts… Mili Xiqi swiftly takes his preset spot, intending to block James.

Just a replica of the previous tactic.

James cleverly makes an early cut around the post.

But as he cuts, Fan Xi doesn't actually change direction; he cleanly catches and releases… he doesn't even jump high, swiftly flinging the ball outward.

This leaves Wade, circling on one side, powerless.

He can only watch helplessly as the ball arcs beautifully, landing with pinpoint precision.

It's equivalent to an open three‑pointer.

Ke Li Si Bo Shen waits inside for Fan Xi's drive, James cuts early, trying to block Fan Xi's path, Wade circles on one side… even with the three giants' eyes fixed there.

It still can't stop Fan Xi's scoring.

Fan Xi reaches 62 points, tying the Finals single‑game personal scoring record.

From now on, each point he adds becomes a new record.

The home crowd has already erupted in cheers, celebrating the new record and Kuaisuan finally gaining a two‑point lead.

That two‑point edge will make the Heat even more passive.

Beep!

Pat Riley immediately calls a timeout.

The timeouts each side has saved come into play at the final moment.

Pat Riley is a sly veteran, observing closely; he judges whether Fan Xi is truly injured. If Fan Xi is indeed hurt, frequent timeouts would aggravate his injury, preventing him from finishing the game in one go.

As the saying goes, "All's fair in war"; Pat Riley has never thought his tactics improper.

Fan Xi, with 62 points, walks toward the bench amid the crowd's cheers.

Back on the bench he still doesn't sit, supporting himself on his left foot, right foot relaxed, arm draped over Maikelbang's torso.

Moreover, he seems to reveal more detail: as he leaves the floor, he grimaces, looking genuinely agonized.

This leaves the Miami bench's analysts even more troubled.

Only 1 minute 18 seconds remain in the game.

Theoretically, each side has two possessions left.

"My conclusion is that he's acting," Wade said. "He hasn't shown anything abnormal in the game; his drives are still sharp, his shooting still dead‑on. We should keep all defensive focus on him and not expect him to pass. I feel that even if this guy dies on the court, he'll still choose to take the shot himself."

Wade's stance is clear: "Moreover, we shouldn't discuss this; it feels like we have to hinge our victory on Jieke Fan's injury. We are not beggars pleading for a win."

Even though Wade's physical condition on the Miami bench is the weakest, his fighting spirit remains as strong as ever.

James nods. He accepts Wade's judgment. Yet he adds, "If Jieke Fan gets injured, we must make some tactical adjustments. I sense he'll pass in the next possession, and shoot in the one after that."

James says decisively, "In a game like this we needn't worry about face; victory is all that matters."

His words carry an undertone.

Pat Riley picks up on it.

Pat Riley, when building the iron‑blood New York lineup with the Knicks, often employed this method. They frequently verify opponents' injuries forcefully.

Moreover, New York then had a dedicated brawl team, boasting historic villains: Da Ma Larry Johnson, Shan Evil Person Buckley Slap Buckley Unresisting Charles Oakley, and the self‑proclaimed 'Buckley is a softie' Anthony Mason, the ultimate New York kill‑king who loves to chatter.

Pat Riley's final gaze locks onto Xiaoen Badi'er.

He tells Badi'er that after the Heat finishes this attack, he'll sub Badi'er in; he needs Badi'er to clash physically with Fan Xi, and he arranges for James to double‑team from the side.

Xiaoen Badi'er is a gentleman; though a defensive stalwart, his defense has always been clean.

But when Pat Riley gazes at him intensely, pinning hope on him while the entire bench places its trust in him,

He hesitates less than a second, then nods resolutely.

Beep!

The whistle blows.

The game continues.

Neither side has changed lineups yet.

Fan Xi still stays beside Ray Allen, whose running is frantic despite his stamina being drained.

Fan Xi trails behind him, appearing unable to blanket the defense.

But on the other side, James and Wade don't pass the ball; James forces his way under the basket, then, after a back‑down, suddenly passes; Ke Li Si Bo Shen follows and makes the most crucial shot of his Heat career, a buzzer‑beater.

And it draws a foul on Little Jordan.

Pat Riley quickly substitutes Xiaoen Badi'er for Ray Allen.

Pat Riley did not take a risky gamble; he did not let Ke Li Si Bo Shen fake a missed free throw to fight for the rebound. Because that would be disadvantageous for them, the Kuaisuan had an absolute advantage in controlling the rebounds in this game.

Swish!

Ke Li Si Bo Shen made the free throw.

Miami took a one-point lead.

Only 53 seconds remained in the game.

The tense atmosphere in the entire Staples Center seemed to freeze.

Jordan said this game was the most tense in the NBA in the past ten years.

Kobe said he disagreed, he thought the 2010 Lakers' Game Seven showdown that eliminated the Boston Celtics was the most tense and exciting.

While the two were arguing about this, Fan Xi came to the front court.

He lowered the tempo, he stared at Xiaoen Badi'er who was tightly guarding him, a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. He stopped and said to Badi'er: 'Xiaoen. Did Duke University ever teach you to commit a foul? You came up to execute the Bruce Bowen plan, right?'

Fan Xi's tone was relaxed, but his eyes were sharp, as if he could see through Badi'er's thoughts at a glance.

Such keen perception caused a slight tremor in Badi'er's heart.

Fan Xi suppressed the tempo; he knew to launch quickly only when the shot clock had 8 seconds left.

This exceeded James's expectation; James originally thought Fan Xi would pass.

But how could he pass at this time?

Screech!

Fan Xi suddenly stepped out, using his left foot.

Xiaoen Badi'er instinctively moved up, but just as Badi'er did so, Fan Xi suddenly spun, his body and the ball seeming to be sliced apart. He backhanded the ball, which passed under Badi'er's crotch, while his body turned away directly from Badi'er's impact.

After separating from Badi'er with the ball, Fan Xi aggressively entered the three-point line, not avoiding James's help defense, but instead moving toward him.

James tried to trap him.

Who would have thought Fan Xi would make a sudden stop, then turn his body away, he gave a sharp shoulder shake, wobbling, James instantly lost his defensive judgment, Fan Xi quickly turned, he jumped… using his one-stage jump shot, he lofted the ball high, this was an extremely smooth parabola.

The lofted ball fell into the basket.

The Staples Center instantly erupted, the sound energy like that of an explosion site.

Everyone's throat burst with the taste of adrenaline, they were shouting, venting, becoming frenzied.

Then it turned into a unified chant of 'MVP! MVP! MVP!'

At that moment, Fan Xi suddenly turned around, he smiled at Pat Riley on the Miami bench, he raised his hand and tapped his own wrist, reminding him: 'Hey, divine calculator. You should call a timeout.'

Pat Riley's expression remained calm.

His inner feelings were tumultuous.

Fan Xi once again exceeded his expectations.

He now confirmed that Fan Xi was not injured.

Fan Xi was just acting; he was deliberately waiting for the opponent to take the bait.

He even calculated that he would use Xiaoen Badi'er to guard him; what he wanted was for Miami to go all-in.

Pat Riley took a deep breath.

He shook his head at the court, he did not request a timeout.

He knew Ray Allen was already exhausted; once he left the court he could not return, and even if he stayed on he could not provide a three-point threat. Stamina is the fatal flaw of such veterans.

By contrast, Xiaoen Badi'er also had shooting ability.

At that very moment, Fan Xi on the court made an astonishing choice, he walked toward James, and he switched defenses with Leonard.

He said to James: 'LeBron. I'll guard you.'

James at this time also confirmed that Fan Xi was definitely not injured; otherwise he could not have such smooth skills, nor would he dare to stand in front of him.

He had once again fallen for his own cleverness.

'You can only choose to shoot; if you want to win the game. You have no other chance.'

Fan Xi told him: 'Don't count on rushing in to create a foul, using free throws to eliminate us or tie the score, and also trying to defend us to go into overtime. Your stamina won't last until overtime.'

Fan Xi's tone was like a sharp dagger.

Anyone could see that Miami was now spent, their stamina reserves were lower than the Kuaisuan's. But they still had the strength for one final battle.

James did not respond to Fan Xi; he stared at Fan Xi standing before him.

He bent his knees, lowered his center of gravity, and dribbled calmly.

At this moment James could hear his own heartbeat; he had waited a long time, he finally awaited this moment of exposure, he wanted to prove himself, he wanted to take back everything that belonged to him.

At this moment many fans in the Staples Center even closed their eyes, they dared not face this most cruel moment.

It is very likely that all the grudges of this season will be settled in these final 29 seconds.

When James used up the Heat's offensive time from 24 seconds down to only 8 seconds, he stepped forward, quickly advancing. Fan Xi did not retreat, but instead leaned in slightly; James's steps became a bit sluggish, but then he fiercely drove inward one step, and Fan Xi loosened his grip.

James instantly understood that Fan Xi wanted him to take a two-point shot, not a three-pointer.

Even though James, with a mind like lightning, understood Fan Xi's intention, he still had to keep moving forward.

When he rushed to the free-throw line, he suddenly stopped; Fan Xi's center of gravity wavered slightly, he decisively jumped and shot…… This scene, he had practiced tens of thousands of times.

The ball gently left his palm.

The ball traced a beautiful, smooth arc.

Swish!

It went in.

Miami took a one-point lead.

The game still had 8.9 seconds left.

The Staples Center suddenly fell silent.

At this moment, Fan Xi suddenly shouted: Beverly Hills tactic! Beverly Hills tactic!!

He rushed to the baseline.

Xiao Jordan and the others originally thought Fan Xi would call a timeout.

But he quickly picked up the basketball, and while the Heat players had not yet fully recovered, he passed the ball to Fan Xi.

Fan Xi then sprinted toward the front court with the ball.

Wei De was the first to give chase, but at the free-throw line here Fan Xi shook him off with a forced burst of acceleration…… Wei De's stamina collapsed.

His defense lost effect in the middle of the fourth quarter, and he kept gritting his teeth, enduring the tearing pain as he played.

The audience in front of the TV might think Wei De dropped the chain at a crucial moment, but… only he himself knows how much he has put into this game.

He is a true basketball superstar, he is the true spirit of sports.

Fan Xi burst out from beyond the three-point line on this side.

Xiaoen Badi'er gave chase in a relay-like fashion.

But just then, Mili Xiqi quickly ran over and blocked Badi'er.

Fan Xi was thus able to continue forward.

At this moment, James, Bosh, and Martin were all quickly retreating on defense.

James chose to take the initiative, stepping two steps beyond the half-court three-point line to meet Fan Xi, not wanting to give Fan Xi a chance to shoot.

But just then Butler rushed over, intending to set a screen, and Little Jordan also came flying from behind.

But Fan Xi didn't brake at all, he collided head-on with James.

Just as everyone was astonished by this chaotic scene, thinking Fan Xi had slipped up.

Then something unexpected happened!

Even Jordan was dazed!

…