228: Chapter 228 Unexpected Tactics Emerge

The first quarter ended. On the scoreboard, the Lakers led the Heat 28:20. Lin Feng hadn't scored a point, yet he had an astonishing 10 assists. This made the Miami home fans feel that something wasn't quite right.

The Miami Heat bench.

Coach Erik Spoelstra's face was tense. He looked at the players on the court and then at the tactical board in his hand.

"Lin Feng has changed," he said in a low voice.

The assistant coach nodded. "He's no longer that guy who only thinks about scoring."

"He's turned the Lakers into a cohesive unit." Spoelstra tapped the tactical board with his finger. "Every single spot has come alive."

"How should we adjust our defense?" LeBron James sat down and wiped his sweat. His expression was heavy.

Wade also spoke up. "He always finds the holes in our defense. It's like he knows how we're going to defend beforehand."

"Strengthen the defense on the role players," Spoelstra said. "Especially Nick Young and Gasol. We can't let them get comfortable shots off."

"We can't relax on their interior either," Bosh added. "Howard grabbed several key rebounds today."

"Understood," James and Wade responded in unison.

Over on the Lakers' bench.

Kobe sat next to Lin Feng. His knees still throbbed with a dull pain, but his eyes were clear and bright.

"Good job, Lin," Kobe said softly.

Lin Feng picked up a water bottle and took a large gulp. "They'll adjust their defense."

"I know," Kobe nodded. "They'll try to limit Nick Young and Gasol."

"We have more options." A faint smile played at the corners of Lin Feng's mouth.

"You kid," Howard leaned over and patted Lin Feng's shoulder. "You're playing really flashy today."

Nash also laughed. "Lin Feng's passing makes me feel like I've returned to my peak."

"That's because of your own ability," Lin Feng said. "I'm just passing the ball to you."

The second quarter began.

As expected, the Heat changed their defensive strategy.

As soon as Nick Young ran to the corner, Shane Battier stuck to him like glue, refusing to give him an inch of space to receive the ball.

Gasol tried to get the ball near the free-throw line. Bosh and Haslem immediately double-teamed him from front and back. Gasol found it difficult even to turn around.

The Lakers' first possession. Nash dribbled the ball across half-court.

Lin Feng moved for a position. James and Wade immediately double-teamed him, giving him no chance to catch the ball easily.

Nash looked at the blocked passing lanes. He hesitated slightly.

The shot clock ticked away.

The ball finally reached Lin Feng's hands. As soon as he caught it, Chalmers lunged toward him.

In an instant, he was triple-teamed.

Lin Feng activated his Heavenly Emperors Eye · ZONE.

In his mind, the movements of all defenders and their help-defense positions were clearly presented.

He saw that Nick Young and Gasol were being heavily focused on by the Heat.

The Heat's defense was attempting to break the Lakers' offensive balance.

Lin Feng didn't panic in the slightest.

He made a pump fake. Chalmers was baited, his center of gravity losing balance.

Lin Feng's gaze swept across the court.

He saw Artest.

Artest was in the left corner. Defending him was the veteran Ray Allen.

Ray Allen was drawn in by the triple-team on Lin Feng. His attention wavered slightly, and he took a step toward Lin Feng's direction.

That tiny bit of space was magnified countless times in Lin Feng's Eye of the Heavenly Emperor.

An opportunity!

Lin Feng flicked his wrist. The basketball whistled through the air.

The ball, carrying intense spin, passed right between James and Wade.

It flew straight into Artest's hands.

Artest caught the ball. He didn't even dribble.

Lin Feng's eyes looked at him firmly.

From Lin Feng's gaze, Artest read a clear command.

"Shoot!"

Artest didn't hesitate for a second and jumped immediately. His shooting form was textbook perfect.

Swish!

The basketball went straight through the hoop.

A three-pointer!

The American Airlines Center suddenly fell silent. No one had expected this.

Now even Artest could hit threes for the Lakers!

Coach Spoelstra suddenly stood up from his seat.

He roared at the court, "You left him open! Whose man was that?!"

The Lakers scored again. And it came from Artest's spot.

This caused the Heat's defense to fall into utter chaos. They didn't know who they should be helping on anymore.

The Lakers' bench.

A satisfied look appeared on Kobe's face. "He really has activated everyone."

Nash clapped his hands. "Beautiful! This is what you call team basketball!"

Heat's possession.

James held the ball. He felt the invisible pressure brought by Lin Feng.

He knew that Lin Feng was like a director on the court.

He was orchestrating every single defensive play for the Lakers.

James drove to the basket. Artest hounded him relentlessly, and Howard came over to help.

He took a difficult shot. The basketball clattered against the rim.

Howard boxed out well, leaped high, and grabbed the rebound.

The Lakers transitioned into a fast break.

Lin Feng dribbled the ball to the frontcourt without hesitation.

He saw that the Heat's defense was still trying hard to stick to Nick Young and Gasol.

With a crossover and a burst of speed, he blew past Chalmers.

Lin Feng rushed to the free-throw line.

He didn't choose a layup. He didn't choose a mid-range jumper.

He jumped and dished the ball out mid-air.

The ball was passed to the 45-degree angle on the right side.

Steve Blake.

Blake caught the ball, also without the slightest hesitation.

He knew that Lin Feng's passes would always find the most comfortable shooting opportunity.

He jumped and shot.

Swish!

Another three-pointer made!

34:20!

The lead suddenly expanded to 14 points!

The fans at the American Airlines Center were starting to get restless.

The sounds they made were no longer mountain-shaking boos.

Instead, it was scattered, anxious murmuring.

"What's going on?"

"What's with the Lakers?"

"We can't stop them!"

By the court, Magic Johnson had a huge smile on his face.

He shouted excitedly from the commentary booth, "Lin Feng! He has completely taken control of the game!"

"He has turned every single teammate into a scoring weapon!"

The Heat were forced to call another timeout.

During the timeout, Coach Spoelstra's voice carried a hint of a tremble.

"We can't stop him," he said to James in a low, somber voice.

"His passing is too precise. He always finds the open man. He can anticipate our defense."

James's expression was dark. He was breathing heavily.

He felt an unprecedented sense of frustration brought by Lin Feng.

In G6, he could block Lin Feng. He could suppress Lin Feng's scoring.

But he now realized...

He was no longer facing a simple scoring machine.

But a monster who controlled the entire situation.

Lin Feng made the Lakers play like a precision machine.

Every part was operating perfectly under his command.

Every attack was incredibly fluid.

The Heat were exhausted from running around.

James tried to take over the game with his individual ability. He wanted to claw back the lead.

He scored on two consecutive drives, showing his toughness.

But the Lakers responded immediately.

Lin Feng continued to playmake. He used his Eye of the Heavenly Emperor to precisely tear through the Heat's defense.

He saw that Wade had moved a step away to help defend Gasol. Just that one step.

Lin Feng immediately made a shot fake.

Wade was baited into jumping, his center of gravity losing balance.

Lin Feng threw a bounce pass.

The ball zipped through the gap between players and reached Gasol's hands unerringly.

Gasol scored an easy layup.

"Roar!" After scoring, Gasol gave a rare roar. He felt a sense of confidence he had never experienced before.