LRAB Chapter 47 First Battle with LeBron
Chapter 47 First Battle with LeBron
The game has entered the second half.
During halftime, a dramatic chemistry unfolded in the Cavaliers' locker room.
LeBron James, this young king, has demonstrated his MVP-caliber ability to adjust tactics.
"Don't get entangled with him." James pointed to Li Xiangbei's name on the whiteboard. "He wants to fight me physically, to wear me down. We're not going to do that. Use screens, exploit mismatches! Drain their interior defense!"
At the start of the third quarter, the situation changed dramatically.
James no longer insists on one-on-one with Li Xiangbei.
He took advantage of Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Varejao's high-quality screens to resolutely look for mismatch opportunities.
After each pick-and-roll, James faced either the slow-moving Randolph or the less physically imposing David Lee.
This is a case of dimensional reduction attack.
James repeatedly overpowered the Knicks' fragile interior defense.
Li Xiangbei attempted to help defend, but the Cavaliers' outside shooters—Mo Williams and Daniel Gibson—hovered like ghosts beyond the three-point line, ready to punish the Knicks' collapse at any moment.
"Bang!" James dunks over Randolph!
"Swish!" Mo Williams hit a three-pointer from the corner!
The Cavaliers went on a scoring run in the quarter. LeBron James scored a whopping 15 points and had 4 assists.
The whistle blew to end the third quarter.
Knicks 78:89 Cavaliers.
Trailing by 11 points.
The Knicks' bench was silent. Randolph sat in his chair, a towel over his head, his hands still trembling slightly—a physiological reaction to the impact.
David Lee was panting heavily.
They were somewhat stunned by James's suffocating dominance.
"Everyone, stand up!"
Li Xiangbei stood in front of everyone.
"Pass the ball faster!" Li Xiangbei slammed his hand on the tactical board. "LeBron's exhausted! In the fourth quarter, we're going to run them to death! Anyone who can't keep up, I'll accompany them on a 5km post-game sprint!"
……
According to the usual rotation, in such high-intensity games, James usually rests for 2 to 3 minutes at the beginning of the fourth quarter to conserve energy for the final battle.
But for the Knicks, Li Xiangbei showed no intention of leaving the court.
He went into "mad dog mode" as soon as the game started.
The Cavaliers' offense failed to find the net.
Li Xiangbei received the ball at the baseline and, without any hesitation, immediately began a 100-meter sprint!
Run & Gun!
The Cavaliers' backup point guard simply couldn't keep up with this pace.
Li Xiangbei tore through the defense and broke into the paint to pass the ball.
"Swish!" Crawford hit a three-pointer from the corner!
Only 30 seconds had passed.
Li Xiangbei made a steal and launched another full-speed counterattack.
"Boom!" David Lee, who had just made an assist, slammed the ball down!
In just two minutes, the Knicks went on a 10-3 run.
The point difference was instantly narrowed to just 4 points!
Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown panicked and called a timeout from the sidelines. James hadn't had enough rest, but he had to get back on the court early.
The camera gave James a close-up.
He stood on the sidelines, hands on his hips, his dark red jersey soaked with sweat.
There was still a murderous glint in his eyes, but his physical exhaustion was undeniable.
Li Xiangbei walked over and stood close to James.
"Are your lungs on fire, LeBron?"
Li Xiangbei's voice was calm.
"My heart rate is just over 80. Should I wait for you for a bit?"
James glared at him fiercely but didn't say anything.
But he knew that the guy in front of him was a real monster.
The game continues.
James tried to stabilize the situation, putting more effort into defense and sticking tightly to Li Xiangbei.
Li Xiangbei dribbles the ball forward, facing James's high-pressure defense.
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In the third quarter, in order to prevent the score from widening, he used three sure-fire shots.
He suddenly stopped during the counterattack, and jumped up without any rhythm while his body was still moving forward!
Facial ejaculation!
Right above James' head, who had just entered the game and was not yet settled!
"brush!"
Three point hit!
The difference has narrowed to 1 point!
……
The final three minutes. The decisive battle at Madison.
102:102 tie.
The match entered its most brutal, meat-grinding phase. Every goal became incredibly difficult, a test of both willpower and physical endurance.
James gritted his teeth and, relying on his superhuman physical talent, forced his way into the paint, drawing a foul.
One of two free throws made. The Cavaliers lead by one point.
Turning back, Li Xiangbei broke through and passed the ball, creating a perfect open shot opportunity.
But Randolph, who was already exhausted, hit the front of the rim with his close-range floater!
The entire audience sighed.
The Cavaliers scored on a fast break, extending their lead to 3 points.
Only 45 seconds remain.
A desperate situation.
Li Xiangbei received the ball and dribbled it across half-court. The Cavaliers' defense was very tight, giving him no space to break through.
But this didn't stump him.
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Li Xiangbei didn't even wait for the defense to get into position before launching a long-range shot from two meters away from the three-point line!
"brush!"
Hand up and down!
105:105 tie!
38 second left.
The Cavaliers are on offense. James controls the clock. With 10 seconds left, he drives hard to the basket and scores over two defenders.
107:105.
The Cavaliers regained a two-point lead.
The Knicks only had 4 seconds left.
There has been no pause.
Serve from the baseline.
Li Xiangbei receives the ball and advances at full speed.
The Cavaliers retreated on defense, and two players pounced on them like mad dogs, preparing to double-team and delay the game.
4 seconds... 3 seconds...
Li Xiangbei advanced rapidly.
He used his extreme speed to rush to the front and get to the edge of the logo.
James had already pounced on him, his large hand blocking the best shooting angle.
2 second……
Li Xiangbei stopped abruptly at the edge of the logo.
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[System Locked: Guaranteed Win]
He didn't make any feints, he just took a straight jump!
Due to the immense inertia, his body continued to drift forward in the air. To avoid James' block, he had to increase the arc of his shot.
At that moment, the world seemed to stand still.
The basketball soared into the sky, drawing a high arc.
Time resets to zero.
"beep--!"
The red light is on.
"Whoosh!"
The decisive sound of the hammer hitting the net was like a thunderclap, exploding in the sky above Madison Square Garden.
108:107.
Lore!
After that moment of breathlessness, the 20,000 audience members erupted in cheers!
Li Xiangbei landed.
He didn't run around celebrating, nor did he tear his jersey.
He simply stood there quietly, coldly watching James, who looked utterly helpless.
Then, he slowly spread his hands and shrugged.
At that moment, he seemed like a god in this place.
In the commentary booth, Mike Brin:
"BANG! BANG!!"
"My God! He did it! He hit the game-winner over LeBron James!"
"There are no kings at Madison Square Garden tonight! Only a scoundrel in a number 8 jersey!!"