Chapter 570: Are the Knicks still the same as in the first half?

Fan Xi felt a stark difference in the team in the third quarter; the players' subjective initiative was visibly improved, and cohesion and passion were strengthened internally.

This was the effect Fan Xi hoped to achieve.

It's true that the Knicks' defensive fundamentals are poor, but… their roster is actually not lacking at all, and these guys have a high ceiling.

Although what Fan Xi said to James had the effect of a psychological offensive, it was not entirely baseless.

The Miami Heat now have mighty momentum; outside expectations of them are high, and they themselves expect a lot. But deep down they fear Fan Xi. If at this moment the Knicks overcome difficulties and win two straight road games,

their mindset will collapse even faster.

Fan Xi's remark clearly had a positive effect; although James seemed calm on the surface and traded trash talk with Fan Xi, deep down he was pondering this issue. If Fan Xi truly won this game and established a psychological edge, he could guarantee his own composure but could not guarantee his teammates wouldn't become frightened birds.

"We need to strengthen our offense."

LeBron James said from the bench.

He looked at Spoelstra and said, "We need to expand our offensive advantage a bit. We can't underestimate Jieke Fan's scoring explosiveness in crucial moments."

Spoelstra agreed with his opinion, adjusted some tactics, and demanded the players be more proactive on offense going forward.

Moreover, he substituted Kentavious Martin for Marcus Camby.

Kentavious Martin is younger, slightly more agile, and has a somewhat better ability to finish inside.

Mario Chalmers also returned to his position, Ray Allen went to the bench to rest, and Wade would unleash his offensive firepower.

When Miami made the decision.

Fan Xi was speaking from the bench. He said, "The next few minutes could decide the whole series; Miami will launch a fierce attack, eager to open up the lead. But we must withstand their assault, make them doubt themselves. Then we can take them down. What I mean is not just beating them tonight, but the entire series!"

Fan Xi's expression was composed, his tone calm. Yet every word rang clear to his teammates.

The atmosphere on the Knicks' bench ignited instantly.

Over the past season, Fan Xi had already left them an image of absolute trust through his interactions.

When Fan Xi spoke those words, a blazing hope ignited in everyone's heart.

Larry Brown began arranging defensive tactics and lineup, continuing to call out the names of the three big men—Tyson Chandler, Kevin Garnett, Josh Smith—then his eyes wandered over Prince and Smith.

Prince's defense is better, but Smith's touch has been good lately, and we also need an outside shooter to space the floor.

"I can. I'll lock down Ray Allen or Battier…" Smith said firmly.

Fan Xi interrupted him: "You're actually going to face Wade next; are you ready?"

Hearing that thunderous name, Smith hesitated not at all and said, "No problem, Jake! I'll let the world know my pregame words were absolute truth."

Smith went all in.

Before the game he had worried about how to respond if Wade sought him out for a one‑on‑one, even consulting Fan Xi; but now, when the moment came, he was utterly fearless, rising to the challenge.

Fan Xi also glanced at Kevin Garnett, wanting to confirm his stamina was okay.

Garnett felt Fan Xi's concern.

He pressed his left fist against his right chest and lightly tapped it.

This tiny gesture was obvious; it carried special meaning, telling Fan Xi: "The iron armor remains!"

Larry Brown smiled; he felt quite relieved at this moment, the troops' morale is usable!

Beep!

The whistle blew, and the game continued.

Fan Xi dribbled past half‑court and arrived at the top of the three‑point arc.

Chalmers came out to defend him.

He was highly expected; he clung to Fan Xi like bubblegum. The Heat wanted him to stick to Fan Xi—scoring was fine, but they couldn't let him link up with teammates to form a cohesive force.

His defense was extremely diligent.

He was also an above‑average defender.

He had made great progress this past season.

But if he can't stop you, he just can't stop you.

Fan Xi's solution was simple: a quick start, sudden stop, change of direction, spin—this combo blew past him cleanly. Fan Xi slipped into the paint, faced Kentavious Martin's help defense, leapt up, flashed the ball, and lofted it at an odd angle into the restricted area; Tyson Chandler followed and slammed it home.

The Knicks narrowed the score gap.

At the same time, the real test arrived.

"Defense!!!"

Fan Xi clapped his hands and shouted loudly.

Then he walked over to Chalmers, guarding him full‑court, not letting Chalmers' speed increase, and driving him onto unfamiliar paths.

The Heat were somewhat caught off guard.

They didn't expect that, while they were launching their fierce attack, Fan Xi would apply full‑court pressure.

At halftime, Chris Bosh stopped his steps, giving Chalmers a brief screen. Chalmers had just crossed midcourt when Garnett stepped up to block him; Chalmers could only halt, about to pass.

Fan Xi and Garnett made a switch like ice‑dance artists, both opening their arms in parallel to exchange positions.

Chalmers happened to pass the ball to Bosh, intending a handoff.

But the ball had just left his hands when Garnett's long arm tipped it, and then Fan Xi flew in, leapt, and snatched it.

Fan Xi sprinted to the frontcourt, with Garnett trailing behind.

But he didn't go for the ball; instead he used his body and experience to block James, who was chasing from behind.

Boom!

Fan Xi finished with a two‑handed dunk at the rim.

The margin was down to just points.

This happened in an instant.

The atmosphere at the Meihangzhongxin Arena was a bit oppressive; they were all too aware of Fan Xi's ability to turn clouds into rain with a flip of the hand.

Fan Xi has staged a stunning comeback on this court more than once.

Now, shall it continue?

James glared angrily at Qian Mos, reminding him to watch the passing lanes.

Qian Mos lowered his head and stayed silent.

He received James's outlet pass, and Fan Xi still sprinted over to press the whole court. But this time James roamed on the side, and Fan Xi's pressure was not as tight as last time.

Qian Mos managed to cross half‑court.

However, this also delayed James until the half‑court, preventing him from quickly setting up a positional battle in the frontcourt.

It was a strategic victory.

"Has the Knicks changed tactics?" Cha Er Si Ba Ke Li asked on TV.

"Strictly speaking, no," Yue Hansun replied. "Jie Ke still leads the offense and defense. But I always feel they are completely different from the first half."

They are former super‑stars with extremely keen game‑reading abilities, and they cannot pinpoint any tactical changes by the Knicks.

But they clearly sensed a strong difference in the game.

Qian Mos set a screen at the top of the arc with Ke Li Si Bo Shen, then drove the ball to the free‑throw line where Jia Neite blocked him.

He knew it was a brilliant chance to take a big bite out of a small one, but Jia Neite's movement gave him little confidence.

And he dared not pass the ball to Bo Shi, even though Bo Shi was attempting a big‑for‑small play.

Fan Xi exuded a strong sense of danger toward him.

He passed the ball to Wei De.

Wei De stood on the wing outside the three‑point line.

His decision was equivalent to telling the whole world that the tactic he and Bo Shi launched had completely failed, and the ball returned outside the three‑point line.

Leave it to Wei De for a one‑on‑one.

"I'll 'kill' you; your offense angers God..." Wei De trash‑talked Shi Mi Si before receiving the ball.

Because JR Smith had ranted at him back in Chicago.

JR Smith, under Wei De's intimidating stare, showed no trace of fear; he even retorted, "De Huai En, the women you slept with in Atlanta said the same to me. She said you often told her before getting into bed, 'I'll kill you; I'll make you float up to the clouds to meet God…', yet all you could do was smear her with saliva… She suggested you endorse health supplements; at least you look quite brave."

Shi Mi Si's trash talk always hits so deep.

It's as if he's describing a real story.

Wei De's expression turned terribly sour; he swore in his heart to smash Shi Mi Si and to find that woman from Atlanta.

Then, he received the ball.

Wei De drove downward with a sudden thrust; his fake move was extremely convincing—he is an extraordinary scorer.

Shi Mi Si, however, is not a good defender.

This probe caused Shi Mi Si's balance to shift.

Wei De activated quickly… he cut in from Shi Mi Si's left side with a slicing move.

If it were peak Wei De, this activation would already have shaken Shi Mi Si off.

But now his explosiveness is not what it used to be.

Shi Mi Si was only bypassed by half a position; he looked a bit disheveled, yet his mouth kept attacking.

He kept blowing a whooshing wind into Wei De's ear: "... Ah!... Ah!... Ah! You almost killed me, De Huai En."

His odd tone even made the nearby referee glance sideways.

Wei De halted abruptly as he neared the free‑throw line, because he saw Kai Wen Jia Neite closing in.

He then cut, followed by a quick step‑back that left Shi Mi Si unable to follow; when he jumped, Shi Mi Si only reflexively stretched out a hand, having no effect on the attack.

It was a beautiful offense.

One could say Wei De controlled Shi Mi Si's defensive rhythm… except he didn't shut his mouth.

However.

Wei De's luck was a little off.

The ball swished around the rim and rolled out.

It fell into Fan Xi's hands.

That was the worst outcome.

"Look, De Huai En. You sprayed me with a mouthful of saliva; is your fierce attack just spitting?"

Shi Mi Si kept babbling as he chased.

"No wonder the Atlanta Club secretly says you only look strong, and they've listed you as an unwelcome wealthy guest."

"Hehe."

Shi Mi Si is too good at playing mind games.

Wei De's gaze at that moment could kill.

…