Chapter 577: Who Would Want to Lose to the Same Person for the Fourth Straight Year?

「LeBron, what do you think I'll use to defeat you tonight? 」

Fan Xi took a moment and said a trash-talking remark to James.

James ignored Fan Xi.

Fan Xi then continued: "I guess you probably want to wear down my teammates' stamina and then win a war of attrition. You're young and energetic, you indeed have that chance. But…"

"Have you considered that in this kind of game, I dare to form new lineups with any teammates, constantly rotating? You don't dare; you can only be cautious, afraid I'll directly widen the score."

Fan Xi said: "Losing this game doesn't matter; I still have home-court advantage. But can you afford to lose, LeBron!"

Fan Xi spoke quickly.

Although James showed a look of contempt, he kept following Fan Xi closely.

When Fan Xi dribbled past half-court and approached the three-point line, he then switched defenses with Battier.

Battier was striving to smother Fan Xi. He's a clean defender, he likes to obstruct the opponent's eyes. His defense is classically trained, so his principle is to not lose position.

But his physical abilities are far inferior to when he was young, and he's reached retirement age. After all, he used to play alongside Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, but now Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady have both left the league.

Fan Xi got past him, using physical contact, he powerfully drove and collided with his side, then turned—smooth as flowing clouds and water, like mercury pouring down.

After shaking off Battier, Fan Xi entered the free-throw line area.

Ben Wallace stepped out; his movement wasn't fast, but once he planted himself there, he became a natural barrier. Fan Xi shook off James's close defense, drove into the paint, faced Camby's defense, faked a shot, tricking Camby into jumping, then stepped in and scored, drawing a foul.

Swish!

Ben Wallace made an important play this possession; his broad body was like a closing door, shielding Fan Xi from behind pursuit, giving Fan Xi time to play a timing difference, creating a + for Camby.

"Jie Ke is awesome, even a useless guy like Ben Wallace can be utilized."

JR Smith on the sidelines gave a heartfelt sigh; he didn't notice the gazes from neighboring Hamilton and Prince that could kill him.

Kevin Garnett corrected him: "I don't allow you to say that about Ben. Although Ben is old, slow, and his turns aren't agile, as long as he holds his team position, he's the Knicks' best screen quality."

"He bought me and Tyson some rest time. I've already forgiven him for leading the Pistons to crush the Timberwolves back then."

Garnett muttered.

On the court, Fan Xi bumped fists with Ben Wallace and loudly said: "You're no less than the man who knows LeBron's defensive routes best."

Ben Wallace had a moment of bewilderment.

But he's a smart person. Top defenders aren't foolish.

He also deliberately glanced at James, wanting to observe James's expression.

James had no expression.

He turned, received the basketball, and reorganized the offense.

Returning to half-court, he drove into the paint, passed to the corner, gave it to Ray Allen, who was coming off a run to shake off defense, and Ray Allen scored.

This is the Heat's set tactic.

After changing ends, Ben Wallace mentioned the three-point line; as Fan Xi used a screen to enter the free-throw line, he encountered a double-team—Ben Wallace's shooting ability can be automatically forsaken.

But at that moment, Fan Xi looked back and made a pass.

James suddenly came to his senses.

He turned and looked; sure enough, Bariani found an open spot via Ben Wallace's screen, caught the ball and shot directly—swish!

The basketball went in.

Ben Wallace made two consecutive high-quality screens that contributed excellently to the team; if you add his earlier astonishing steal, his efficiency skyrocketed after he entered the game.

Charles Barkley lamented on TV: "These old-timers of the Knicks are unearthed relics, priceless."

He even muttered: "If I went to the Knicks now, could I also contribute something?"

"Your towel-waving look might be kinda cool." Kenny Smith teased him.

But Barkley wasn't angry; he started a bet with Bill Walton: "Bill, do you think Ben Wallace can last three minutes or five minutes tonight?"

Barkley doesn't like betting with Smith, because he neither loses much nor wins much, especially regarding bets on Fan Xi, he's never won.

But when familiar guests come over, he'll go on a gambling binge.

Bill Walton is also an interesting person; he said: "How many minutes do you think he can last?"

"Minutes, he'll be taken off within four minutes. That's his limit; Miami will surely exploit his weakness and pound him, he won't last long." Barkley said.

"Then I bet he can last over minutes; I think he's got grit." Bill Walton said: "Let's bet on a bottle of red wine after tonight's show."

"Hehehe, why not add me? I love drinking." Kenny quickly joined in, saying: "I bet he can play at least six minutes; if he does, you each give me a bottle of red wine; if he doesn't, I'll give each of you a bottle."

This bet tempted them.

Moreover, they all didn't think Ben Wallace could last minutes; it's an impossible challenge, like letting an ordinary track athlete beat Bolt in a 100m race.

It doesn't conform to scientific law, nor to natural evolution.

So they all thought Kenny would lose those two bottles of wine.

Although they're all multi-millionaires, who would refuse victorious wine?

They exchanged glances, tacitly understanding.

"Hey, Kenny. How about raising the stakes? Each of us bets you a bottle of Romanée-Conti. Dare you?"

"Of course!" Kenny slapped his chest.

"It's settled."

Just as they finished saying that, James on the court charged into the paint, made an easy pass, leaving Ben Wallace clueless, and Camby scored a layup.

Barkley immediately gloated: "Hey, Kenny, I feel Ben Wallace is about to go out. Those two bottles of Romanée-Conti are already taking effect."

They teased Smith.

But Smith was stubborn.

The show's effect was maxed out, ratings were high.

Who would mind having an entertaining bet while watching a game?

Ben Wallace also consequently attracted great attention, everyone was concerned about when he would finally go off.

But after this foolish defense, the Knicks took no action.

Larry Brown sat there calmly, with no intention of substituting Garnett.

Fan Xi also calmly dribbled forward, not fast.

At the same time, it was still a pick-and-roll with Ben Wallace, but this time the Heat increased vigilance on the perimeter. Yet they overlooked Smith's diagonal cut from the side; Fan Xi passed the ball to him, and he finished with a left-handed dunk.

Fan Xi drew interior defense, while Ben Wallace inadvertently attracted perimeter defensive attention.

This sounds absurd; even at Ben Wallace's peak, no one would think he could contribute on the perimeter.

But it happened anyway.

This is why Josh Smith easily finished with a left-handed dunk.

The Heat sped up, executing a beautiful offense. Ben Wallace's defense remained untimely, and he played the role of a liability.

The basket was scored in the paint, with James assisting Bosh.

Barkley said: at most two possessions, at most two possessions, and Larry Brown would not be able to tolerate it.

But the two possessions passed quickly.

Ben Wallace remained on the court.

Because the Knicks scored in both possessions, and Ben Wallace also provided his screening effect.

On offense they remained a threat, on defense they leaked a little, and the Knicks appeared indifferent.

Time just passed like that.

Barkley and Bill Walton were initially excited, believing victory was within reach.

But the more they watched, the more anxious they became; the Knicks were stubborn, refusing to take Ben Wallace off.

Barkley was almost going crazy: why don't they let Ben Wallace go? If they substituted Garnett, with Garnett's defensive ability, they would now be leading by at least double digits, rather than just a few points.

This was his roar when Ben Wallace had played five minutes.

He didn't understand.

Kenny Smith smiled and told him: "Because no matter what, the Knicks are ahead. Garnett can then play the whole game. The Heat are now overly passive strategically; their plan has been ruined by a single Ben Wallace."

The Heat kept attacking that point, trying to destroy Ben Wallace and force the Knicks to substitute early.

But the Knicks did not comply with his wish.

When James once again scored in a one-on-one against Ben Wallace, Fan Xi smiled and said to him: "You keep targeting Ben Wallace—have you noticed that my teammates have all benefited because of it?"

"Our teammates' shooting touch has all opened up."

Fan Xi told James: "I deliberately let Ben attract your focus on the court."

Fan Xi's smile carried the cunning of a fox.

James's expression showed some emotion; he could no longer hold back his feelings.

He took a couple of deep breaths and calmed down.

Then he played hard defense.

He personally guarded Fan Xi, but Fan Xi simply passed the ball to Ben Wallace, who then inbounded from the free-throw line.

Josh Smith got a chance with a backcut; just as everyone thought Ben Wallace would pass to Smith, Ben Wallace kicked the ball out to the three-point line, and Ariza fired despite the defender… swish!

Three-pointer made.

Ben Wallace contributed again.

In front of the TV, there was a chorus of screams.

On the TV, however, Bill Walton was shouting: no!!!

He couldn't accept it.

Why can Ben Wallace stay on the court this long? He's about to exceed minutes.

Barkley, sitting beside him, had now lost all resistance, his eyes somewhat dim, and he looked at Kenny: "You're a devil, you're a devil. You surely knew the Knicks' plan in advance; you're a die-hard fan of Jieke Fan, he would certainly tell you everything, he predicts like a god, he figured I had just gotten a bottle of Romanée-Conti…"

Barkley had already begun to rave.

Kenny Smith couldn't help but ask him: "Do you want to listen to yourself, what you're saying?"

Ah!!!

Barkley's scream maxed out the TV effect, and the audience in front of the set laughed hysterically.

Everyone really liked this commentary style.

But some people couldn't laugh; they felt a hundred times worse than Barkley and Bill Walton.

After all, Barkley and Bill Walton only lost two bottles of Romanée-Conti, whereas they lost the strategic initiative.

Who could have imagined that they entered the game full of confidence, only to have Fan Xi break it open directly with Ben Wallace?

Miami felt awful.

They actually substituted before the Knicks, replacing Camby with Anderson; Anderson is more mobile, and his height still covers Ben Wallace's low-two-meter frame.

Anderson's entry did not change the fact that Ben Wallace remained on the court.

He played until 7:30 of the second quarter before being taken off.

When he left, the Knicks were still ahead.

He didn't leave for strategic reasons; his stamina simply gave out.

He's old, so his energy reserves are problematic; he can't withstand this high-intensity confrontation and constant running.

The decline of his physical functions led this tough guy to request a substitution himself.

Ben Wallace left the game.

The Knicks also took the opportunity to change their lineup.

Monta Ellis, Josh Smith, Kevin Garnett, and Cole Aldridge followed Fan Xi onto the court.

In the first possession with the new lineup, Méngtǎāilīsī drove into the paint, like a one‑way road, like an arrow shot off, heading straight for the basket without looking back. He didn't change, but Fan Xi and Jiānèite helped clear the lane for him.

Boom!

This short guard actually finished this play with a two‑handed dunk.

Very arrogant.

"The Knicks' players keep emerging; Miami's plan is probably going to go bankrupt." Bǐ'ěrwòdùn said on TV.

This is also what Spoelstra worries about.

He no longer has the pre‑game determination to win at all costs; he starts to worry that if the Heat can't hold up again and the Knicks suddenly pull ahead, they might lose their second home game.

They are increasingly walking on thin ice; even the players on the court have become more cautious, seeking higher success rates.

Mentally they are highly tense, afraid of making a mistake.

By contrast, the Knicks play freely, with ease, without psychological pressure.

Kǎiwén Jiānèite also tried three‑pointers from outside the arc; although they didn't go in, they startled them greatly.

Méngtǎāilīsī also unleashed his slashing firepower to the fullest, and Shǐmìsī did not let his athletic ability decline.

Fan Xi kept supplying shells, moving, pulling open the defense.

Both sides remained evenly matched.

After the second quarter,:.

Miami took the lead.

But this lead means nothing; leading before the game ends is equivalent to a tie.

But strategically, the Heat were a mess in the first half, being led by the nose by the Knicks.

Fan Xi, with a Běnhuáláisī and a Méngtǎāilīsī, broke their plan.

James walked to the locker room with a furrowed brow, thinking: 'Has my plan really been dismantled by Jieke Fan?'

He had doubts.

But his teammates no longer doubted; their faces showed dejection, of course, more so a spirit of fighting to the end.

They didn't want to lose to the same person for a fourth straight year.

…