Just over three minutes into the game, with two timeouts called, the Heat were completely outplayed.
The home fans at the American Airlines Arena were in shock.
How could the Heat, unstoppable in the first half, have fallen apart like this?
What happened during halftime?
...
In the TNT broadcast booth, Barkley was finally able to gloat.
He patted his shiny bald head and began to taunt O'Neal.
"O'Neal, what do you say about the third quarter? The deficit is down to 6 points!"
Having played in the NBA for many years, O'Neal knew the momentum had shifted to the Knicks.
But he never backed down from a verbal spar with Barkley, even if it meant arguing his way out.
"So what? The Knicks are still behind! As long as the Heat adjust, they can still extend their lead!"
"Heh, keep talking tough. In my opinion, Li Feng has already taken over the game. He'll lead the team to a comeback in the third quarter."
Smith changed the subject: "What's going on with the Heat in the third quarter? James and Wade seem hesitant!"
Reggie Miller agreed: "Indeed. The first play completely baffled me. They passed the ball to each other, and Li Feng stole it. This shows the Heat's primary offensive focus is unclear!"
"Alas, perhaps this is the downside of a 'Big Three.' In crucial moments, they're a bit too polite with each other."
"This is no time for politeness. I hope Spoelstra makes a decision quickly!"
...
During the timeout, Spoelstra still hadn't established a clear primary attacker. He called the timeout merely to slow down the Knicks' offensive momentum.
For him, it was incredibly difficult.
Wade was the soul of the Heat, having led them to a championship in '06.
James, though he joined later, was a top superstar in the league, destined to challenge Jordan's legacy.
How could you ask such a superstar to play a supporting role?
Therefore, the Heat's predicament seemed unsolvable.
The timeout ended, and both teams returned to the court.
The Heat had possession.
It appeared Wade would initiate this play.
Li Feng stood in front of Wade, observing the movements of the screeners.
To improve the quality of the screen, Bosh moved to Li Feng's front.
As a "Big Three," their coordination was more synchronized. Bosh screened Li Feng tightly.
Wade successfully drove into the paint, faced Stoudemire's help defense, and made a "Mizongbu" layup. Score!
The Heat finally scored!
After more than three minutes of play, the Heat, through Wade, finally got 2 points.
However, Wade didn't seem overly excited after making the basket. He felt something was strange.
The Knicks' defense didn't seem as tight as before.
But the game was too intense, and Wade's thought was fleeting as he quickly retreated on defense.
In fact, during the timeout, Li Feng had conferred with his Knicks teammates.
Li Feng had identified the internal conflict within the Heat.
To encourage the Heat to give the ball to Wade, Li Feng decided the entire team would put on a show by allowing Wade to make a basket.
Wade's stamina was already showing signs of strain. If James took over the game, and Wade exerted himself in the fourth quarter, it would be difficult for the Knicks.
Now that Wade had scored, the entire Heat team would be more determined to pass him the ball.
Because this was Game 7, the most critical game, the ball had to go to someone reliable.
And this person was the soul of the Heat!
The Knicks advanced the ball. Li Feng held the ball at the backcourt and made a gesture.
Past half-court, two Knicks teammates suddenly came up to screen: Scola and Lowry, blocking Wade and Chalmers.
James saw the danger and knew Li Feng was about to shoot.
But by the time he rushed over, it was too late. Li Feng launched his second logo three-pointer of the game!
Swish!
Three-pointer made!
At this crucial moment of catching up, an ultra-long three-pointer was exactly what they needed.
63-60!
The deficit was only 3 points!
James glared at Li Feng with anger, but he was helpless.
Li Feng had shot over James for this basket, making him a background figure once again, naturally provoking anger.
"Get back on defense!" Li Feng made no celebratory gestures and immediately signaled his teammates to retreat quickly.
In the second half, the Knicks players were physically taxed, making moments of inattention unavoidable. Li Feng had to constantly remind them.
At this point, a single turnover could lead to a drastic shift in momentum.
The Heat had possession.
As expected, because Wade had made a basket earlier, the ball went to him again.
Bosh continued to set a screen, and Wade drove into the paint.
Just as he was about to execute his "Mizongbu" layup again, Stoudemire suddenly appeared in front of him.
Amar'e's timing and positioning were excellent, completely stopping Wade.
He gave Wade no opportunity to use his "Mizongbu," and his lower body was firmly locked down.
Wade tried to drive left and right, but he couldn't break free. In desperation, he passed the ball to Chalmers at the 45-degree angle.
Lowry quickly rotated to cover.
Chalmers had no space to shoot, but the Heat's shot clock was running out, forcing Chalmers to take a difficult shot.
Clang!
The ball hit the rim and bounced out.
Yao Ming leaped high, secured the rebound, and then flung the ball! It was passed to Li Feng at the top of the arc.
Li Feng quickly advanced past half-court.
James tried to grab Li Feng by the waist, but Li Feng dodged him with a behind-the-back dribble.
Bang!
Li Feng drove for a powerful dunk, scoring two more points.
65-62!
Still a 3-point difference.
Wade felt a subtle unease. He thought about how easy his previous basket was, wondering if the Knicks had intentionally allowed it.
In such a situation, he could only ponder it; he couldn't voice it.
So on the next possession, Wade wanted to pass the ball.
Unexpectedly, after receiving the ball, James passed it back, looking at Wade encouragingly.
It was as if he was saying, "We believe in you, Wade. Your part of the offense is the most reliable."
Wade gave a wry smile and took the ball to initiate the offense.
This time, he was more cautious. Driving near the paint, Wade faked a shot.
After drawing Stoudemire over, he passed the ball to Bosh, who was closest to him.
Bosh took a step and attempted a layup.
But Yao Ming again surged forward, swatting the ball away with a sky-covering palm.
Slap!
This block was ferocious. The basketball was directly swatted onto Bosh's head.
Boom!
The ball bounced to the right, landing directly in LeBron James's hands.
Startled by Yao Ming's block, James didn't dare drive to the basket and instead took a mid-range jumper.
Unfortunately, James's shooting touch was off today. Clang, it missed slightly.
Li Feng suddenly emerged and grabbed the rebound.
Whoosh!
Li Feng didn't hoard the ball. He executed a "Li's Long Pass," throwing it to Lowry beyond the three-point line.
The "Little Cannon" initiated a fast break, with Chalmers in close pursuit.
As Lowry went up for the layup, Chalmers recklessly fouled him on the arm.
Beep!
The referee's whistle blew, calling a foul on Chalmers for hitting Lowry's arm. Lowry stepped to the free-throw line.
Lowry was frustrated. His layup had almost resulted in an and-one.
Li Feng saw Lowry's mindset, walked over, patted him encouragingly, and praised him, "Great play!"
Lowry calmed his nerves and made both free throws!
65-64!
The Knicks were now trailing by only 1 point!
This was the smallest deficit between the two teams in the game so far.
The Knicks' bench players jumped up excitedly, hoping the starting lineup could tie or even overtake the lead and win the game in the fourth quarter.
The Heat once again initiated their offense.
To be honest, the Heat players were already in a state of confusion.
Whether to let Wade or James take over, their minds were in disarray.
So Wade, after receiving the ball, directly passed it to Bosh.
He knew that if he passed it to James, James would pass it back to him anyway.
Bosh's ability in the paint was still strong. Although he had been blocked by Yao Ming earlier, as long as he paid attention to Yao Ming's position, he could still score.
Cash screened Yao Ming, and Bosh attacked from Yao Ming's other side.
Although Stoudemire's defense had improved, he was still half a step slow against the "Dragon King," allowing him to get to the basket.
Just as Bosh was preparing to gather the ball for a layup, Li Feng darted out again, swiping the ball from Bosh's hands.
Bosh was shocked and tried to steal it back, but Li Feng had already made a cross-court pass to an open Bill Walker.
Bill Walker initiated a fast break but was fouled by James.
The Knicks had not yet reached the penalty situation for fouls, forcing the Knicks into a half-court set.
Li Feng held the ball at the top of the arc. Facing a double-team, he passed it to Lowry.
Lowry received the pass, feigned a pass to Yao Ming, and then suddenly fired a three-pointer.
James's closeout was a bit slow, leaving him only able to watch as the basketball traced an arc and swished into the basket!
Lowry had given the Knicks the lead!
Just when everyone thought Li Feng would be the one to make the big play, Lowry unexpectedly hit the three-pointer!
After making the shot, Lowry pumped his fist excitedly. Li Feng also shouted and rushed over for a chest bump celebration.
After being suppressed for so long, they had finally broken free.
The Knicks players seemed to have finally turned the tide, and the feeling was incredible. Everyone roared simultaneously, releasing their pent-up frustration.
Spoelstra watched from the sidelines and sighed again.
It had only been a little over six minutes into the third quarter, and the Knicks had already taken the lead.
The Heat had only managed to score 2 points, which was unbelievable.
It was hard to imagine this was a "Big Three" team.
Spoelstra didn't call a timeout; he had already called two.
Now that the Knicks had momentum, it was up to the "Big Three" to suddenly explode and regain the lead.
There was still enough time.
James and Wade couldn't stand it anymore. They whispered a few words to each other.
"LeBron, you take over the game. The Knicks' defense on me is too tight, and I'm too exhausted."
Seeing Wade's sincere eyes, James nodded vigorously. He knew Wade wasn't being humble or understated; it was genuinely difficult for him.
Wade had already done more than enough in the first half, especially considering he had just had fluid drained from his knee before the game.
"Alright, leave it to me!"
James's eyes became fierce, and the "Death Stare" appeared!
The Heat advanced the ball. James finally held the ball at the top of the arc, with Wade making off-ball cuts.
Suddenly, James accelerated, shaking off Bill Walker and driving into the paint.
Just as Yao Ming prepared to help on defense, James exploded upwards.
His leaping ability was truly incredible.
Even though Yao Ming wasn't slow after losing weight, James was faster. Bang!
A powerful dunk!
After scoring, James roared at Yao Ming!
Yao Ming ignored him, smacked his own head, signifying it was his responsibility.
Li Feng went over and high-fived Yao Ming, offering comfort.
A superstar like James couldn't be completely contained.
67 all!
James's dominant drive and dunk instantly ignited the Heat's home crowd.
The fans, frustrated throughout the third quarter, finally saw a player explode, and it was their hero, "King James"!
After this dunk, James seemed to have found his confidence.
In the following minutes, despite the Knicks' continued tight defense, James was unstoppable.
He not only had a better rhythm on his drives but also found his shooting touch from mid and long range.
Swish!
Three-pointer made!
Swish!
Fadeaway jumper!
These moves, less common for James previously, reappeared.
Even though his movements were still a bit stiff, they went in!
Under James's leadership, the Heat not only retook the lead but also extended it to 7 points!
At the end of the third quarter, the score was 87-80, with the Heat leading!
The Knicks players were a bit dejected.
They had been leading moments ago, so how had they fallen behind again?
Li Feng wasn't surprised. James had always possessed this ability.
It was just that the team had internal issues in the third quarter.
It seemed the "brotherhood" between James and Wade had worked. They had reached an agreement to decisively give the ball to James.
It was true that two tigers cannot share one mountain.
After the third quarter ended, Li Feng walked off the court with his head down.
D'Antoni came over to comfort Li Feng: "Don't be discouraged. You played very well. Let's give it our all in the fourth quarter!"
Li Feng nodded and didn't say much.
In crucial games, it all came down to the superstars.
Now that James had stepped up and dominated the game, Li Feng also needed to do the same for the Knicks.
At the start of the fourth quarter, the reserve lineups faced off.
These few minutes were very important. With the Heat leading by 7 points, if the Knicks' reserves faltered and the deficit widened, the team would be in danger.
If the Knicks' reserves could close the gap, it would save a lot of effort for the starters.
D'Antoni and Li Feng didn't put too much pressure on the reserves, but Billups's experience was invaluable. He knew how important these few minutes were for the team.
So, before coming onto the court, he gathered the reserve players for a brief meeting.
If Li Feng was the brain of the starting lineup, then Billups was the brain of the reserve lineup.
The fourth quarter began!
As soon as Billups entered the game, he directed his teammates to double-team Mike Miller.
Mike Miller had played exceptionally well in the first half, hitting two three-pointers with a hot hand.
Therefore, Billups had to shut him down.
Mike Miller didn't expect to be double-teamed and made a mistake in his panic.
The Knicks' reserves seized the opportunity to counter-attack. Felton's speed was also very quick, and he drove past half-court to score 2 points.
Li Feng and Yao Ming stood excitedly on the sidelines, waving their towels.
The China duo had reappeared!
Under Billups's command, the Knicks reserves played proactively, narrowing the deficit to 3 points.
However, the Heat's reserve, James Jones, stepped up. Although his shooting touch was average in the first half, it was important to remember that he was also a three-point contest champion!
Jones received a pass from a teammate and hit a three-pointer from the 45-degree angle, extending the lead back to 6 points.