92:89, the Dream Team was still leading by 3 points.
In the next possession, Kobe drove to the baseline and made a fadeaway jumper, extending the lead to 5 points!
This was becoming dangerous. If the Chinese team couldn't keep scoring, the game would be over.
The US team's defense was extraordinarily strong, with Kobe, Wade, and LeBron all converging on Li Feng.
It was clear that Li Feng remained the player the Dream Team feared the most.
Li Feng once again employed a "wall-breaking" pick-and-roll.
He bounced the ball low, passing it to Sun Dasheng amidst the double-team.
Just as the US team expected Li Feng to rack up another assist, Li Feng suddenly broke away from Kobe and Wade, driving towards the paint.
Sun Dasheng immediately passed the ball back.
Despite facing elite defenders, Li Feng managed to shake off his opponents through skillful team coordination!
Li Feng drove into the paint, caught the ball, and went up for a three-step layup!
At this moment, Dwight Howard, "The Big Man," suddenly blocked Li Feng's path!
Howard's defensive coverage was immense; he single-handedly anchored the entire defensive system of the Magic team!
Li Feng felt a dark shadow descend, knowing Howard had arrived.
However, he didn't pass or evade; instead, he charged forward and soared into the air!
Howard was furious!
Although Li Feng had played exceptionally well today, he had never scored against Howard before.
Did he want to test my defense?
Bring it on!
Howard spread his arms wide, exuding an aura as if he could swat Li Feng away with a single palm.
Li Feng's body continued to ascend. At the peak of his jump, he raised his right hand high, preparing to dunk over Howard.
Howard panicked. If Li Feng dunked over him, how would he maintain his reputation?
After all, he was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year!
So, Howard exerted all his might, raising his hands high and forcefully pushing down towards Li Feng.
The fans in the arena were stunned. They felt Li Feng was being too overconfident.
While Li Feng had a highlight-reel dunk over opposing centers in previous games, this time it was Howard, who was in a league of his own compared to other centers.
In terms of physical talent and defensive skills, he was historically elite!
Some timid fans even closed their eyes, not wanting to witness Li Feng being forcefully slammed to the ground by "The Big Man."
Just as Howard's hands were about to press down on Li Feng's right hand, Li Feng, like a magician, instantly switched the ball from his right hand to his left.
The move was so fast that most people wouldn't have seen it clearly without a slow-motion replay.
With the ball in his left hand, Li Feng extended it far out from Howard's right side, flicking his fingers. The ball, as if with eyes, hit the backboard and went in!
Almost simultaneously, Howard forcefully slammed down on Li Feng's right hand.
Due to the significant difference in their weights and Howard's forceful momentum, Li Feng was knocked to the ground after making the shot.
*Beep...*
The referee's whistle blew, pointing at Howard for a foul!
And-one!
The entire stadium erupted!
Li Feng's move was a direct replication of Michael Jordan's famous layup against the Lakers.
However, Li Feng's move was more practical, while Jordan's was more of a display of skill.
Of course, in terms of difficulty, both were top-tier.
Without immense core strength and abdominal power, such a high-difficulty maneuver couldn't be executed.
It was said that Tracy McGrady later attempted Jordan's layup during practice, and while he completed it, he nearly injured his back.
Li Feng, despite being knocked down by Howard, emerged unscathed.
Chinese fans rose to their feet once again, applauding and cheering for Li Feng's incredible play.
Yao Ming, standing nearby, was also mesmerized. He had always assumed Li Feng would pass to him, given Howard's formidable defense.
But Li Feng not only made the shot but also drew a foul on Howard!
This basket was incredibly significant because Howard already had three fouls.
With this one, he now had four.
With over three minutes left in the game, Howard might be in foul trouble and forced to sit.
If Coach K kept him on the court, Howard's defensive movements might be restricted, and he might hesitate to make plays.
Howard didn't argue with the referee. He simply glanced at Li Feng in disbelief before walking away silently.
Li Feng's Chinese teammates rushed over to help him up and high-fived him in celebration.
"Li Feng, you're awesome!" Yi Jianlian was lost for words, managing only those few syllables.
The others also exclaimed "Awesome!" excitedly.
Li Feng rubbed his shoulder where he'd been hit, fortunately, there was no serious injury.
He stepped up to the free-throw line and calmly sank the additional free throw.
94:92, the Dream Team still led by 2 points!
With 3 minutes and 49 seconds remaining.
Coach K did not substitute Howard. Since things were already like this, they might as well continue playing.
Under the tenacious resistance of Li Feng and Yao Ming, the scores between the two teams continued to exchange.
Despite playing seriously, the Dream Team couldn't widen the gap.
Time ticked away second by second.
With 36 seconds left in the fourth quarter, following another thunderous dunk by LeBron James, the score became 106:104!
The US team led by 2 points!
The most thrilling moment of the game had arrived.
Theoretically, both sides still had one possession each.
It all depended on who could seize the opportunity.
Younas called a timeout immediately after James scored.
This offensive possession was crucial, and they needed to score and then defend desperately.
If they could tie the game and force overtime, that would be the best possible outcome.
At the very least, it would prove that China could match the Dream Team in regulation time!
Younas didn't communicate much with other players; instead, he looked towards Yao Ming and Li Feng.
Yao Ming, who had been playing very hard, directly said, "Coach, leave the ball to Li Feng. He'll adapt accordingly!"
Younas nodded and looked at Li Feng again.
Li Feng was, after all, only an eighteen-year-old. Despite having a cheat system, his mental fortitude wasn't yet fully mature.
Therefore, his heart was pounding intensely.
However, with Yao Ming's endorsement and all his teammates looking at him, Li Feng couldn't hesitate.
So, he nodded firmly and said, "Alright, I'll bring the ball up. Everyone else, be ready, set screens for each other, find open shots. I might pass, or I might go for the shot myself. We'll adapt on the fly!"
For coaches, tactics generally fall into two categories.
One involves complex offensive schemes to create open shots for a particular player.
The other is to hand the ball to a superstar and let them handle it!
Right now, Li Feng was that superstar, the only choice for the coaching staff!
The timeout ended, and both teams' starting lineups returned to the court.
The air in the Wukesong Stadium seemed to have thickened; everyone was incredibly tense.
Some female fans, too scared to watch, covered their eyes with their hands, peeking only through their fingers.
The superstars of the Dream Team no longer had their usual composure.
Kobe, LeBron, Carmelo Anthony, Howard, and Chris Paul were all extremely focused. They didn't want to let China snatch the championship at this final moment!