Chương 131: Twenty-two points in a Quarter
Lian Dao couldn't fully contain LeBron James in the first half. In truth, it's nearly impossible to completely shut down a player of James' caliber.
However, Lian Dao did manage to limit James' effectiveness significantly.
James shot just 6 of 20 from the field in the first half, including a dismal 1 of 5 from beyond the arc. His efficiency was unusually low.
Despite this, James still managed to post 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists by halftime.
This game offered fans and viewers at home a thrilling matchup between two elite small forwards.
During the halftime break, commentators Zhang and Yu Jia provided their analysis of the highly anticipated game.
"This is a truly exciting matchup!" Zhang remarked.
The stats for both players were displayed, speaking for themselves. There was no need to overstate their talent.
"You can see the excellence of these two players just by looking at their numbers," Yu Jia added.
"The Knicks performed exceptionally well in the first quarter. They capitalized on the Cavaliers' lack of mobility, consistently playing strong defense and pushing the tempo in transition. The entire first quarter unfolded at the Knicks' pace."
"Moreover, their defense was outstanding, particularly in limiting James. Lian Dao did a commendable job in this regard."
"As the second quarter progressed and James reentered the game, it became clear that the Cavaliers were finding their rhythm. His chemistry with Big Z was evident—years of playing together have forged a seamless connection. The Cavaliers steadily closed the gap during this period."
"Looking ahead, it's apparent that the Cavaliers' biggest challenge has been integrating Shaquille O'Neal into their lineup. However, this chemistry is likely to improve as the season continues."
The commentators then shifted their focus to the second half.
"The second half will be a real test of the Knicks' defense. If they can't withstand the Cavaliers' pressure, they could easily lose their lead."
"And can Lian Dao continue to limit James' offense as effectively as he did in the first half?"
When the game resumed, the commentators' concerns proved accurate—the Knicks' defense began to falter.
Although Lian Dao continued to challenge James, the Knicks struggled to contain the Cavaliers' big men.
Big Z knocked down mid-range shots consistently after receiving passes inside.
On the defensive end, the Cavaliers ramped up their intensity, stifling Millsap and David Lee's attempts to score in the paint.
On the perimeter, Chris Duhon's offensive limitations became apparent.
As the Knicks' offense stalled, the pressure fell squarely on Lian Dao's shoulders.
In the third quarter, Lian Dao played the role of a lone hero.
He relentlessly attacked the Cavaliers' defensive line, using screens from his teammates to create shots.
He scored an incredible 22 points in the third quarter alone, setting a new personal best for points in a single quarter.
His previous record was 20 points, achieved in the last game against the Pacers.
By the end of the third quarter, Lian Dao had racked up an astonishing 43 points.
The score stood at 96-90, with the Knicks trailing the Cavaliers by six points.
Despite Lian Dao's remarkable 22-point performance in the third quarter, the Knicks remained behind. It was clear that the rest of the Knicks' lineup had struggled during that period.
As the fourth quarter began, the Knicks finally saw a glimmer of hope.
David Lee found his rhythm and started making shots.
Lian Dao's passes started turning into assists, reigniting the team's offense.
The game came down to the final two minutes.
The tension in the arena was palpable.
The score was tied at 112:112.
The Cavaliers had possession.
Lian Dao was breathing heavily, his lungs burning with exhaustion.
Sweat dripped down his face as he grabbed his jersey, bent over, and rested his hands on his knees.
He glanced at James, who was in a similar state of fatigue. James' dribbling had noticeably slowed.
Despite this, Lian Dao didn't attempt a steal—he was too drained to risk it. He knew that any failed attempt could leave him out of position, giving James a clear path to the basket.
With less than two minutes remaining, Lian Dao chose to play it safe. He focused on cutting off James' driving lanes, opting for the most energy-efficient defense.
James called for a pick-and-roll, drove toward the basket, and passed the ball.
"Snap!"
Lian Dao intercepted the pass from James.
Fighting through the burning in his lungs, Lian Dao pushed off his right leg and launched a counterattack with every ounce of strength he had left.
He dodged James' defense beyond the three-point line, rose up, and took the shot.
"Swish!"
112:115.
The Knicks took a three-point lead.
On the next possession, the Cavaliers subbed in Shaquille O'Neal.
With fresh legs, O'Neal was a force to be reckoned with.
He dominated the paint, overpowering the Knicks' defense. First, he muscled past David Lee, then dunked over Millsap, nearly bringing the rim down with his ferocious slam.
114:115.
"What a beast!" Lian Dao thought to himself as he gasped for air, eyeing O'Neal in disbelief.
Chris Duhon brought the ball across half-court and handed it off to Lian Dao, who immediately drew the Cavaliers' full attention.
Millsap stepped out to set a pick-and-roll for Lian Dao, who changed direction without losing speed, pushing off with his right foot and accelerating to his maximum pace.
The bonus from the "Fastest First Step" badge kicked in.
As Lian Dao drove into the paint, the Cavaliers quickly collapsed on him, forming a defensive wall. O'Neal guarded the rim, while Mo Williams and Anthony Parker closed in from the wings. James was closing in from behind, and Varejao was constantly in Lian Dao's face, trying to disrupt his rhythm.
A five-man defensive swarm!
They cut off nearly all of Lian Dao's passing options, leaving him with only one path forward: attacking the basket head-on.
Before the double-team could fully converge, Lian Dao kicked into another gear, accelerating once more. He darted toward the basket, took a right step, and O'Neal shifted his weight to counter.
But Lian Dao immediately countered with a big stride to the left, executing a flawless Eurostep without losing momentum. He slipped past O'Neal and finished with a layup.
Lian Dao had been conserving energy by avoiding dunks whenever possible. If a layup would do the job, he wasn't going to waste extra energy on a dunk.
The scoreboard updated: 114-117.
"Sickle's drive was incredible," the commentator exclaimed. "He sliced through the entire Cavaliers defense with two acceleration bursts and a perfectly timed layup, even under intense pressure!"
"That Eurostep without losing speed is as impressive as his previous move of turning without slowing down."
"You know, his move reminds me of a young Grant Hill," Barkley added, clearly impressed. "Back then, Hill was known for having the fastest first step in the game. If it weren't for injuries, Hill's career would've been even more legendary!"
Barkley couldn't help but feel nostalgic as he mentioned Grant Hill. Hill's injuries may have dulled his sharpest weapon, but they also led him to adapt and develop a reliable jump shot. By the 2011-2012 season, Hill was shooting 43% from three and 48% from two, which allowed him to extend his career well into his late 30s. Even at 39, Hill was averaging 10.2 points per game.
Hill's remarkable career, which spanned 18 years despite numerous injuries, was nothing short of extraordinary. He wasn't just a benchwarmer either; he was a contributing player well into his late 30s, only retiring at 40 after a slight drop in performance.
"Yeah, the fastest first step and the ability to turn without losing momentum were definitely Hill's signature moves," Kenny Smith agreed, nodding.
"Now, the pressure is squarely on the Cavaliers," Barkley continued. "There's only 1 minute and 5 seconds left in the game."
With the clock ticking down, the Knicks held a three-point lead.
James initiated a pick-and-roll and drove to the basket. The Knicks immediately doubled him.
But James, ever the playmaker, dished the ball out to the perimeter. The Knicks, expecting a pass to O'Neal, scrambled to cover him.
However, Mo Williams was left open on the outside and calmly drained a critical three-pointer.
117-117.
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