Yao Ming's injury was an old one, but he had largely recovered. The team doctor's decision to keep him off the court was a consensus reached with the entire coaching staff.
Since Li Feng could lead the team alone through the first round of the playoffs, Yao Ming could rest for two to three more games. This would ensure that Yao Ming could perform at 100% in crucial matches.
Li Feng also hoped Yao Ming would rest for a few more days, given his age. Since joining the Knicks, Yao Ming's attendance had been quite good, and the effect of his weight loss was evident. Therefore, for a back-to-back championship, Li Feng was determined to have Yao Ming last until the NBA Finals.
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After the second half began, Li Feng continued to dominate the game, widening the point difference. Despite the Hawks' overall effort and solid performance, the Knicks consistently held the upper hand, preventing the Hawks from gaining momentum. By the end of the third quarter, the Knicks had extended their lead to 22 points. The Hawks' situation was dire. Li Feng did not play in the fourth quarter, and the reserves closed out the game. However, the Hawks mounted a formidable comeback, with their starters on the court, they managed to narrow the deficit to 12 points. Just as Li Feng was about to check back into the game, Felton exploded with two consecutive three-pointers, further extending the lead. Li Feng and Yao Ming jumped with joy on the sidelines, living up to their reputation as the "China Atmosphere Duo." Ultimately, the Knicks defeated the Hawks by 9 points at home, securing their first victory in the first round of the playoffs. Although Li Feng only scored 27 points today, the team played with ease, and Li Feng contributed 16 assists, activating his teammates. After the game, Li Feng did not receive much praise from the media or fans, as it was considered normal for the reigning champions to win the first round of the playoffs; losing would have been abnormal.
In the second game, the Knicks gave the Hawks no room to maneuver, with Li Feng leading the team to establish a commanding lead in the first half. Al Horford of the Hawks played well in the first half, capitalizing on Yao Ming's absence to launch an offensive, scoring over ten points in the paint. However, with Li Feng and Lowry operating at full speed as dual engines, the two combined for 11 three-pointers in the first half, effectively breaking through the Hawks' defense. In the second half, the Knicks pressed their advantage, ultimately clinching the second home game. Despite a 2-0 lead, Li Feng did not become complacent. Before heading to Atlanta, he held a brief team meeting, urging his teammates to review the game footage from the past two games carefully. The next day, the entire Knicks team arrived in Atlanta for a light practice. Yao Ming also traveled to Atlanta, but he was still not cleared to play. If they won the third game, Yao Ming would play around twenty minutes in the fourth game to acclimatize to the intensity. Throughout NBA history, no team has ever come back from a 0-3 deficit in a best-of-seven series. Therefore, for the Hawks, this game was a do-or-die situation, a must-win. If they lost this game, the next one would be a battle for pride.
At the Hawks' press conference, Horford and Joe Johnson spoke with the media. Both expressed their determination to defend their home court, win the game, and teach the Knicks a lesson! Joe Johnson, in particular, had a very serious expression that appeared somewhat intimidating. In contrast, the atmosphere at the Knicks' press conference was relaxed. Li Feng and Lowry chatted and joked with reporters, exuding immense confidence!
At 7:30 PM, at the Phillips Arena. The Atlanta Hawks hosted the New York Knicks. The starting lineups for both teams remained unchanged. In the first quarter, the Hawks came out with a fierce performance. Josh Smith and Joe Johnson led the charge, scoring consecutive baskets and exposing weaknesses in the Knicks' forward defense. Marvin and Horford also scored aggressively whenever opportunities arose. On the Knicks' side, Li Feng still held back from shooting, continuously passing to his teammates. While the Knicks' teammates performed reasonably well today, the Hawks had a noticeably hotter shooting touch, leading the Knicks by 9 points at the end of the first quarter, 34:25. The Hawks fans at the Phillips Arena were incredibly excited. This was the Hawks' strongest season in terms of overall strength. Although they lacked a superstar, having so many talented players, they still aimed to advance further in the playoffs. When the fans learned that the Hawks would face the reigning champions in the first round, their hearts sank. They knew Li Feng's prowess, Yao Ming's strength, and the Knicks' roster had remained largely unchanged, with only the Heat and Bulls as their primary rivals this year. Despite the slim hopes, the Hawks fans wholeheartedly supported their heroes, at least wanting to defend their home court and deliver an exciting game for their fans. The Hawks players honored their home fans in the first quarter, playing with immense passion and coordinated teamwork, suppressing the Knicks. Although the Hawks' coach could see that Li Feng was not exerting himself in the first quarter, if the Hawks could maintain this intensity and shooting touch, it would still be difficult for the Knicks to win.
In the second quarter, both teams' reserves entered the game. Billups and Felton performed well, scoring consecutively. However, the Hawks' reserves were not to be outdone, intensifying their defense and widening the gap again. After more than four minutes into the second quarter, the Hawks had extended their lead to 13 points. D'Antoni grew restless and quickly brought in Li Feng and other starters. Although he knew this game would be tough, he had to go all out to win. The Knicks' players had significant injury concerns, and if they couldn't secure a quick victory in the first round, it could pose a risk to their future games. Li Feng's expression was serious; he knew he had to step up, as his teammates were under immense pressure from the Hawks and performing just average. He needed to narrow the deficit to within five points by halftime. Therefore, after entering the game, Li Feng, facing double-teams, successfully broke through with his skillful dribbling and control! Facing Horford's help defense, Li Feng faked and then turned for a floater, scoring 2 points. The deficit returned to 11 points. During the Hawks' offense, Li Feng and his teammates suddenly increased their defensive intensity. Lowry and Li Feng's pressure on the ball handlers forced turnovers from the Hawks. The Knicks' fast-break offense remained sharp, with a three-man combination of Lowry, Stoudemire, and Li Feng completing the offense in just over 3 seconds. Stoudemire finished with a dunk, bringing the score to 9 points! The Hawks' head coach became anxious, knowing Li Feng was about to unleash his full potential, and called a timeout. The impact of Li Feng's return was immediate. He high-fived his teammates, encouraging them not to lose heart and to keep chasing the score. After the timeout, the Hawks made an adjustment, substituting Teague for Bibby. Bibby, being older, had weaker defense and slower mobility, so Teague, who had been performing well, was brought in. The coach showed some decisiveness. Li Feng highly praised the Hawks' adjustment. With his prior knowledge, he knew Teague was a strong defender and an accurate three-point shooter, possessing starting-caliber skills. Indeed, after entering the game, Teague shadowed Li Feng closely, and Josh Smith also provided help defense when opportunities arose. Li Feng felt significant pressure, but this did not deter his individual scoring. He first taught Teague a lesson with a fadeaway jumper after a drive. Then, Li Feng used his gravity to create opportunities for his teammates. The deficit continued to shrink as the Knicks, led by Li Feng, increased their overall defensive intensity, making the Hawks' offense less fluid. With 2 minutes and 17 seconds left in the second quarter, the score was 52:47, with the Knicks now leading by 5 points. The Hawks' home crowd fell silent, their expressions filled with resignation. Despite the Hawks players' best efforts, the difference in strength between the two teams was evident. Specifically, Li Feng's presence on the Knicks tipped the scales in their favor. Just as everyone expected the Knicks to end the first half with a lead, Joe Johnson suddenly erupted. Teague made consecutive passes to Joe Johnson, who revealed his killer instinct by hitting three consecutive three-pointers. Although Li Feng also made a mid-range jumper, the Hawks, led by Joe Johnson, and with others suddenly firing, turned the tables! The Hawks went on a 13-5 run in the final two minutes, reclaiming the lead. At halftime, the score was 60:57, with the Hawks leading by 3 points! The Hawks fans were moved to tears, hugging each other and high-fiving, feeling proud of their players. Li Feng was not discouraged or disappointed; the Hawks players' strong performance was unexpected. Joe Johnson had this ability, and he was bound to have a few explosive games in the series! Now, it remained to be seen if Joe Johnson would continue this performance in the second half. If he truly maintained it for the entire game, the Knicks would have no excuse for losing.
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In the TNT broadcast booth, Barkley, Smith, and Reggie Miller were providing commentary for the game. As experts and former players, they had anticipated the Hawks' counterattack in the third game. "I told you, the Hawks wouldn't give in easily. This season, the Hawks haven't been blown out!" Smith stated confidently. Barkley, stroking his bald head, smiled and said, "Indeed, the Hawks have several players who can play well, especially Joe Johnson. His explosiveness is terrifying and hard to stop." Reggie Miller, however, shook his head and said, "I don't think it will be of much use. Joe Johnson will have his moments, but he had them early. If he had exploded in the fourth quarter, the Hawks might have won." Reggie Miller and Joe Johnson had many game-winning shots and comeback performances in their careers. However, there was a difference between them. Reggie Miller's offense could carry the team forward. But Joe Johnson could only explode for certain periods. Of course, one shouldn't judge with bias; perhaps Joe Johnson would be full of energy today, take over the game, and deliver a career-defining performance!
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The second half began. The Knicks' starting lineup had a sudden change. Bill Walker replaced Scola, as Bill had stronger defensive capabilities. His intention was clear: to limit Joe Johnson. Indeed, the moment Joe Johnson got the ball, Bill Walker and Stoudemire trapped him. Even with Joe Johnson's shooting ability, he was not a superstar, and faced with a double-team, he was at a loss. Out of necessity, Joe Johnson passed the ball to his teammates. The Knicks seized the opportunity, launching several fast breaks and quickly extending their lead to over 10 points. The Hawks' head coach had no good solutions and had to call a timeout to slow down the Knicks' offense. Those who understood the game knew that the Hawks' hope was slim. The Knicks were superior to the Hawks in both individual player ability and tactical discipline. However, all the Hawks players had given their all, and they had done justice to their home crowd and their fans. By the end of the third quarter, the score was 92:73, with the Knicks leading by 19 points. While it was not impossible to overcome a 19-point deficit in one quarter, judging by both teams' performance in the third quarter, the Hawks had no chance. To be safe, Li Feng played for more than five minutes in the fourth quarter, helping the Knicks solidify their winning position. Ultimately, the Knicks won the Hawks' home game, leading the series 3-0 and advancing to the second round. Li Feng played 31 minutes today, scoring 33 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and dishing out 14 assists. His triple-double performance leading the team to victory earned him the Player of the Game award. In his post-game interview, Li Feng spoke eloquently, expressing his gratitude to his teammates. As he was speaking with the reporter, his teammates, holding bottles of mineral water, sneaked up behind him and poured water over his head. Li Feng laughed heartily, dodging his teammates, and then playfully wrestled with them. The reporter nodded continuously, admiring the team atmosphere within the Knicks. However, veteran reporters knew that this change was all brought about by Li Feng. Li Feng not only brought victories to the Knicks but also a form of Chinese culture: the spirit of humility, friendship, and mutual support.
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With a 3-0 lead, the fourth game became a battle of pride for the Hawks. In the fourth game, Yao Ming made his return. In the first quarter, Yao Ming played just over 5 minutes, but in those 5 minutes, the Knicks established a 6-point lead. On the surface, the Hawks players appeared to be fighting hard, but psychologically, they had already given up. After Yao Ming left the court, the Knicks continued to hold the advantage on the floor, widening the point gap. Li Feng switched to an offensive mode in the first quarter. His intention was to establish a commanding lead in the first half, allowing his teammates to practice in the second half and prepare for the next round. With Li Feng's efforts, the Knicks led by 24 points by the end of the first half. The Hawks completely collapsed. Yao Ming played 11 minutes in the first half, scoring 8 points and grabbing 7 rebounds, showing good form and essentially returning to his previous state. In the second half, Yao Ming played another 6 minutes, helping the Knicks extend their lead to 30 points. The Hawks had never lost by such a margin this season. However, in the playoffs, they allowed the Knicks to achieve such a wide point difference. Finally, with the referee's whistle, the Knicks decisively defeated their opponents on the Hawks' home court, advancing to the second round with a 4-0 series victory.