There were still 11 points separating them, with only 2 minutes and 42 seconds left on the clock!
The North Carolina coach was getting anxious.
He wasn't afraid of Li Feng's explosive scoring because Li Feng was just one player. At best, he could trade blows with North Carolina, especially with such a large deficit.
However, what surprised him was that the other players on the Wildcats seemed to have been supercharged, with their ability stats soaring!
This was dangerous.
The North Carolina coach promptly called a timeout, unable to tolerate the Wildcats' entire team going on a rampage.
Li Feng was also very excited. He high-fived each of his teammates and cheered them on loudly.
He exuded the aura of a commander, which was exactly what Li Feng should be doing at this moment.
Although Li Feng had scored 4 consecutive points, the team's overall performance was the most important.
Coach Mike held the tactical board but didn't say anything about the tactics. Li Feng took the board from him and briefly said a few words.
"Guys, our interior defense needs to collapse. They won't dare to shoot threes anymore. Also, when I'm on offense, you don't need to set screens for me; just find open shots directly!"
"Yes!"
Li Feng had earned the absolute trust of his teammates!
...
After the timeout, both teams returned to the court. Curry stood by the sidelines, hugging each of his teammates.
"I'm counting on you all to win this game!"
The final moments of the championship game had arrived.
An 11-point deficit with 2 minutes and 42 seconds remaining!
The North Carolina team initiated their offense. Ty Lawson gritted his teeth, unable to tolerate Li Feng scoring consecutively.
So far, Li Feng had scored 22 points, while Ty Lawson had already notched 27. He couldn't let Li Feng surpass his score!
Ty Lawson received the ball and crossed half-court. Facing Li Feng's defense, he called for a double screen.
Double screens were usually called when a defender was highly feared.
Two big men ran out, blocking Li Feng.
Li Feng wasn't in a hurry. He waved to his teammates, signaling for them to provide quick help defense.
The Wildcats' interior defense, which had been loose before, suddenly increased significantly, forcing Ty Lawson towards the baseline again.
Ty Lawson was embarrassed. He thought he could score after evading Li Feng, but unfortunately, he was still contained.
As a result, the 24-second shot clock expired, and Ty Lawson didn't get a shot off.
With 2 minutes and 18 seconds left, the Wildcats had possession.
Li Feng dribbled the ball past half-court. Danny Green and Ty Lawson double-teamed him again.
At this moment, his teammates made frantic movements. Gathrland quietly ran to the corner.
Li Feng looked to the right but suddenly passed the ball to Gathrland in the left corner.
Gathrland took a three-point shot and hit it again!
The deficit was back to 8 points!
With 1 minute and 54 seconds remaining, an 8-point difference!
Everything was possible!
The Wildcats fans in the arena were ecstatic. Their previously desperate hearts began to pound again.
Li Feng not only gave his teammates confidence but also the fans.
North Carolina had only one timeout left. The coach hesitated for a moment but ultimately decided not to call it.
However, it was clear that the North Carolina players were starting to panic.
Li Feng knew he had to seize every second, not slacken at all, especially with the momentum they had.
He continued to encourage his teammates, "Let's get another stop!"
Everyone is a soldier!
In the next two consecutive possessions, the Wildcats scored, and North Carolina managed to get 2 points from free throws.
With only 44 seconds left, North Carolina led by 3 points.
Theoretically, both teams had one more offensive opportunity.
The Wildcats had possession.
This possession was crucial. If the Wildcats failed, they would essentially lose.
Li Feng made a gesture, and his teammates understood.
A strange scene unfolded: all the Wildcats players crowded into the paint.
The North Carolina players were stunned, unsure how to defend.
So, they could only try to surround them.
Li Feng dribbled at the top of the arc. With 8 seconds left on the shot clock, the North Carolina players suddenly spread out!
This was a variation of the "Star Burst" play.
As the players scattered, the North Carolina players were like chickens trying to catch eagles; they couldn't keep up. Li Feng immediately passed the ball to Love Dale at the 45-degree angle.
Love Dale calmly shot and made a three-pointer!
The boost from "Team Soul" was incredible. Love Dale, who had average three-point shooting ability, actually hit the game-tying three-pointer!
After making the shot, Love Dale was so excited he almost cried. He had never made such an important three-pointer in his life.
92:92, the score was tied!
The North Carolina coach called their final timeout with 19 seconds left in the game.
North Carolina had the initiative.
If North Carolina scored, they would be champions. If they couldn't score, the game would go into overtime.
If the Wildcats managed to steal the ball and score, they would be champions.
The exciting moment had arrived.
19 seconds to decide the championship!
This was the true feeling of a final.
The North Carolina coach held the tactical board, planning their final offensive play.
Ty Lawson was the absolute core, so this play had to be for Ty Lawson.
In fact, Ty Lawson felt a bit shaky inside.
He was unaccustomed to the sudden surge in strength from the entire Wildcats team earlier.
Li Feng alone had made him uncomfortable, and with his teammates also improving, he found himself in a difficult situation.
However, North Carolina's tactics were still rich. The coach devised a relatively complex play, having his teammates create space for him.
...
After the timeout, North Carolina inbounded the ball from the sideline.
Li Feng's expression was grim as he directed his teammates to intensify their defense.
The audience was extremely tense. Not a single sound could be heard in the vast arena.
As expected, the ball was passed to Ty Lawson.
Just as Ty Lawson drove to the basket with the help of a teammate's screen, Li Feng sneaked in from the baseline, soared into the air, and delivered a head-on block, swatting away Ty Lawson's sure-to-go-in shot.
Ty Lawson's face turned green.
The original plan was for his teammates to intercept Li Feng.
But Li Feng's speed and strength were too overwhelming. He actually pushed aside the opponent's power forward, Hansbrough, and snuck to the baseline, disrupting Ty Lawson's certain basket!
With 7 seconds left, the Wildcats had possession!
From the coach to the players, North Carolina's faces were ashen.
They had initially thought that even if their offense failed, they would at least run down the clock. They never expected to leave 7 seconds for the Wildcats.
This was dangerous; 7 seconds was enough time to complete an offensive play.
During the timeout, Li Feng once again took out the tactical board. He was going to use his secret weapon.
During the Wildcats' practice, Li Feng had suggested a seven-second offense!
This was essentially imitating the Phoenix Suns' run-and-gun offense from years ago.
A seven-second offense not only required a point guard with a wide field of vision, like Nash.
It also needed an extremely efficient finisher, like Stoudemire.
But for the Wildcats, only Li Feng remained.
He had to complete this offense alone.
When Li Feng said he wanted to execute a "seven-second play," Coach Mike nodded slightly.
"Alright, you all must cooperate well with Li Feng. Even if we fail, it's okay; we'll go into overtime!"
...
After the timeout, the game resumed, with the final 7 seconds!
Allison inbounded the ball. Li Feng, through frantic movement, gained half a step on Ty Lawson and received the ball.
Then, Li Feng used his "Fancy Dribbling" to drive into the paint.
As three opposing players converged on him, Li Feng threw up a floater!