Barkley clenched his fists indifferently, "It's the last game of the regular season, can't I just be myself? Li Feng has to go all out and make it into the playoffs!"
Reggie Miller next to him sighed and said, "Even if they get in, what then? They'll face the Heat's Big Three in the first round and be eliminated."
O'Neal agreed with Reggie Miller's opinion and nodded, "Indeed, the Heat swept the Knicks in the regular season, completely dominating them. Wade is back to his peak form, and the Knicks really have no chance."
Barkley pouted, unconvinced, "The playoffs and the regular season are different games. I don't think the Knicks will necessarily lose to the Heat in the playoffs."
Hearing Barkley say that, even Smith shook his head.
"Big Mouth, you're talking nonsense now. Although the Knicks are the defending champions, their roster has changed too much, and they are no longer the championship team. The Heat's Big Three have been together for two years and this year they achieved a rare 27-game winning streak. What can the Knicks use to win?"
Reggie Miller also said, "It is what it is this year. The Knicks getting swept in the first round would be considered completing their mission. A team that won three consecutive championships is bound to fall into a slump, but I think the Knicks have been playing well in recent games and have improved a lot, especially Jokic. I believe the Knicks will have the strength to reach the Eastern Conference Finals next season!"
This assessment was quite fair, and Barkley did not refute it.
...
The second half of the game began, and the Knicks' inside presence encountered a crisis.
Because Green was ejected, Horce repeatedly attacked Jokic, causing Jokic to quickly pick up four fouls.
D'Antoni had no choice but to substitute him out and bring in Chandler.
Chandler, the old horse, played well, but he was just a blue-collar center, losing Jokic's playmaking and shooting on offense.
Coupled with Curry's absence, the Knicks' offense fell into trouble.
The 76ers seized the opportunity to catch up.
After more than 7 minutes into the third quarter, the Knicks only led by 2 points.
The New York home crowd became nervous again.
Holiday's defense on Li Feng was almost frantic, constantly pulling and tugging.
D'Antoni immediately called a timeout.
He saw that Li Feng was a bit out of control and might get into a fight with Holiday.
If Li Feng were to be ejected, the Knicks would be completely finished.
Li Feng came off the court to calm down, and Lin Shuhao and Shumpert came on.
This year's Shu Hao truly had the demeanor of a general. After he came on, he stabilized the situation and widened the point difference again.
By the end of the third quarter, the Knicks were leading by 7 points again.
The fourth quarter, the final battle, arrived.
Li Feng vowed in his heart that he had to win this game, and he had to end it quickly.
Because the outcome of this game had a great impact on the mentality of the Knicks players.
If they only won by a narrow margin, the players would not be as confident, thinking that the team's entry into the playoffs relied on luck.
Therefore, after Li Feng took the court in the fourth quarter, he immediately launched a fierce attack.
Facing Holiday's fierce pressure, Li Feng used his invincible strength to bump Holiday's shoulder.
In the past, Li Feng's strength was just enough to break through.
But this time, he added force to his shoulder, causing Holiday's shoulder to ache.
After breaking through, Li Feng faced Horce, switched hands in the air, and scored two points.
Holiday was hit hard and looked at Li Feng in surprise.
Because Li Feng's movement was not large, the referee did not blow the whistle.
Only those involved knew how much strength Li Feng had. Holiday even felt like his arm was torn.
Seeing Holiday's pained expression and clutching his shoulder, the 76ers head coach Collins called a timeout.
Although Holiday was in pain, Li Feng was very measured and did not injure him.
After the timeout, Holiday came back on the court, and his actions were no longer as bold.
Li Feng and the bench lineup went on a run, completely crushing the 76ers.
With more than 6 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Knicks led by 17 points.
The home crowd finally saw hope for a big win.
The 76ers head coach Collins fielded his strongest lineup, wanting to make a final push.
D'Antoni also calmly brought on his strongest defensive lineup.
Chandler, Marion, Bill Walker, Li Feng, and Shumpert.
Finally, the Knicks held onto their victory and won the last game of the regular season!
116:104!
Li Feng played 36 minutes today and scored 38 points!
Under the unfavorable circumstances of missing Curry and Green, Li Feng stepped up to help the Knicks secure the last ticket to the playoffs!
After the game, the Knicks players were all in tears. This season had been truly difficult.
Li Feng held hands with his teammates and bowed to the home fans who were reluctant to leave.
The fans all stood up, applauding for more than 10 minutes.
This scene moved many people.
Finally, Li Feng grabbed the microphone and shouted to the entire audience—
"Playoffs! Here we come!"
...
Who knows how many teams were scared by Li Feng's shout?
Thus, the 2012-2013 regular season officially concluded, and the sixteen playoff teams were announced.
The eight teams in the Eastern Conference were the Heat, Pacers, Bulls, Nets, Hawks, Celtics, Bucks, and Knicks.
The eight teams in the Western Conference: Thunder, Spurs, Warriors, Nuggets, Clippers, Grizzlies, Lakers, Rockets.
Who would have thought that the chaotic Knicks at the beginning of the season would actually make it into the playoffs!
Even more unexpected was that the Knicks would face the dominant Heat Big Three in the first round!
It was too dramatic!
The media were overjoyed these past two days, as this was the biggest selling point of the playoffs!
The Heat Big Three and the Knicks already had years of grudges.
This year, the rivals met in the first round.
In previous matchups, the Knicks had home-court advantage. Although they had eliminated the Heat for two consecutive years, the wins were hard-fought.
This year's Knicks, after a bumpy road to the playoffs, did not have home-court advantage.
Almost everyone believed that the Heat would easily defeat the defending champions Knicks and advance to the second round!
Furthermore, the Heat Big Three would defeat the Thunder in the Finals and win the championship!
Some media and fans were even more optimistic, believing that the Heat Big Three would establish a Heat dynasty and win three consecutive championships!
...
At the pre-game press conference, Li Feng and Green accepted media interviews.
The reason for bringing Green along was to boost the pre-game atmosphere.
Curry was too mild-mannered; he didn't have the same effect as Green when facing difficult media questions.
A reporter asked, "Mr. Li Feng, you and the Heat Big Three have met in the playoffs again. Do you have the confidence to defeat the Big Three?"
Li Feng replied indifferently, "To be honest, I'm not very confident, but we won't let the Heat win four games so easily."
"You don't have home-court advantage this year. How much do you think it will affect the Knicks?"
Li Feng nodded, "Home and away advantage is very important. We are indeed in a disadvantageous position, but we have a lot of experience playing away games. It has an impact, but not a significant one. I believe my teammates will perform well!"
Li Feng's response was neither humble nor arrogant, causing the reporters to nod slightly.
As expected of a superstar who had won three consecutive championships, even in a downturn, he had not lost his winning confidence!
Another reporter asked Green a question, "Mr. Green, you entered the starting lineup in your rookie season. How do you feel about that?"
Green snorted and replied, "I only have one feeling, and that is that I want to lift the championship trophy!"
The reporters all burst into laughter. They were not very familiar with Green yet and finally experienced this guy's big mouth.
"Your help defense and playmaking ability are very good and have greatly helped the Knicks. Mr. Green, who do you think is the core player for the Knicks?"
This reporter was instigating trouble, which was very malicious.
To ask such a question right before the game was a sign of ill intent!
But Green's mind reacted quickly, and he immediately replied, "Li Feng is the core player of the three championships, holding two MVP awards..."
The reporters all cheered, praising LeBron's dominance.
Wade also high-fived LeBron, and the two smiled at each other.
Three years, three years, they had finally made it through!
The reporters seemed to understand the feeling of Jordan back in the day.
The Bulls had been defeated by the Rockets for three consecutive years, but in the end, they continued to strengthen themselves and overcame that mountain!
LeBron was the same. Including his time with the Cavaliers, he had been suppressed by the Knicks three times.
Now, the Heat Big Three had finally risen and achieved the best record in the league!
They had the confidence to easily defeat the defending champions and get revenge!
The reporter then asked, "LeBron, what do you think is the reason for the Knicks' sudden downfall this season?"
LeBron thought for a moment and replied, "Of course, it's Yao Ming's retirement. Also, I don't understand why they let Lowry go."
The reporter felt that he made a lot of sense and asked again, "Li Feng seems to be carrying the team alone this year. How do you think the Heat will limit Li Feng?"
LeBron laughed heartily, "No need to limit him. Our overall strength as the Heat is here. Even if Li Feng can average 50 points per game, we can still defeat them!"
The reporters applauded again. They could tell that LeBron was truly holding a grudge.
Another female reporter turned to Wade and asked, "Wade, you've returned to your peak form this season, winning the regular season scoring title with 32.7 points and also winning the MVP. Are you satisfied?"
Wade shook his head seriously, "No! These are all regular season honors, and I'm not very interested. What I care about most is the Finals! Only by winning the championship will I be satisfied!"
The reporters applauded again.
Wade had already won a championship in 2006. If he won another championship this time, his historical status would be greatly enhanced.
"Mr. Wade, your knee seems to have fully recovered. You've said more than once that Li Feng took you to China to treat your knee, is that correct?"
Wade smiled and nodded, "That's right. The miracle doctors in China are too amazing. I only needed one course of treatment to heal my knee. Thank you, Li Feng, and thank you to Dr. Tan!"
Saying that, Wade clasped his hands together, expressing his sincere gratitude.
...
At 7 PM, the American Airlines Arena in Miami.
The first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs officially began.
The Eastern Conference's top-seeded Miami Heat faced the Eastern Conference's eighth-seeded Knicks!
Due to the significant difference in their regular season records and the Heat's sweep of the Knicks in the regular season, the vast majority of media and fans believed that the Heat Big Three would easily defeat the Knicks!
As the players for both teams came onto the court, the Heat fans erupted in deafening cheers!
Several Knicks players were playing in the playoffs for the first time, so they were understandably a bit nervous.
Li Feng high-fived and hugged his teammates, urging them to stay calm and not panic.
The Knicks' starting lineup was Li Feng, Jokic, Green, Curry, and Bill Walker.
The Heat's starting five were LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Udonis Haslem, and Mario Chalmers.
This was the strongest lineup for both teams in the regular season.
At the center court tip-off, Bosh secured the first possession for the Heat.
As the players walked onto the court, LeBron James walked past Li Feng and issued another provocation.
"Li Feng, it's time to settle this this year!"
Although LeBron always trash-talked, Li Feng had almost never responded.
Li Feng smiled at LeBron and shook his head slightly, remaining silent.
Wade dribbled the ball past half-court and initiated the offense.
Li Feng defended Wade one-on-one. Wade didn't force anything and called for a pick-and-roll. Bosh moved to the high post, screening Li Feng.
Wade quickly drove into the paint, and Jokic couldn't defend Wade.
Swish!
Using his elusive footwork, even with Green's timely help defense, Wade, with his recovered knee, was unstoppable.
Swish!
Wade, facing Green, made a little floater to score the first two points!
The Heat fans were ecstatic, cheering loudly. Their team leader was incredible, and this season was simply unstoppable!
Facing the unfavorable circumstances of playing on the road, Li Feng raised his right hand and signaled to his teammates to remain calm!
Li Feng dribbled the ball past half-court. Facing Wade's defense, Li Feng feigned a pass and then suddenly changed direction, driving to the left.
Wade, with his vast experience, immediately shifted his body and stayed close to Li Feng, not giving him space to shoot.
Although their heights were similar, Wade's vertical leap was very quick.
Especially after his knee healed, his leaping ability was astonishing, often resulting in blocks against taller players.
Therefore, Li Feng did not dare to be careless. Instead of shooting easily, he made a bounce pass to Jokic, who had sealed his man.
The eighteen-year-old Jokic, in his first NBA season, had reached the playoffs. It was impossible not to be nervous.
He was very nervous, and his hands were trembling as he held the ball.
But Teacher Yu, following the tactics from practice, passed the ball to Curry, who was cutting to the basket.
As Curry was about to lay up, Chalmers rushed over and swatted the ball away.
In the previous game against the 76ers, Curry had injured his back in a fall. Although it wasn't very serious, it still ached faintly.