Chapter 157 Offering Birthday Congratulations

This time, Kobe Bryant was delayed by Bosh's tackle, and the rest of the Cleveland Cavaliers could not get there in time, leaving them to watch the Emperor exit along the three-point line. Lan Qiu took a bath in the basket, looking as though it were about to fall out.

However, just as Henry Will jumped to grab the rebound, the damn Lan Qiu acted as if it were intentionally playing the "champion" and crawled into the basket.

Seeing this, Henry Will quickly stopped himself, almost drawing a foul.

These two successful three-point shots put the San Antonio Spurs right back on track.

From then on, Su Feng and Kobe Bryant frequently drew their bows and struck at a half-beat, catching their opponents off guard.

The San Antonio Spurs continued to try their luck beyond the three-point arc, with Douglas sinking several shots through sheer individual brilliance. Although Douglas's three-point shooting could be erratic, when he was on target, it was terrifying.

In the opening quarter, neither side could pull away, locked in an 8-8 tie.

As the players left the floor and the San Antonio Spurs cheerleaders began their routine, almost everyone looked toward the Cleveland Cavaliers bench with astonishment.

The Cleveland Cavaliers were tougher than people had imagined. Many assumed the Cleveland Cavaliers would be severely hampered by Kobe Bryant's injury. Yet, relying on aggressive ball-handling, passing, and stifling defense, this group of guys forced the San Antonio Spurs into a passive state at times.

Although the score was tied, the San Antonio Spurs' Big Three had spent the entire first quarter playing catch-up.

After the second quarter began, Spoelstra ordered his players to push the pace immediately. Consequently, Douglas and Robert Henry launched numerous shots from beyond the arc. Unfortunately, the relentless hustle of Su Feng and Marion, who contested every play even without the ball, refused to let them settle.

Shortly after play resumed, Robert Henry and Douglas each missed a pair of shots from beyond the three-point line. Seizing the opportunity, Su Feng drove to draw contact, stepping up to the free-throw line to add a point for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

It was hard to imagine how much courage it took for a guard of Su Feng's stature to charge into the paint time and time again, absorbing blow after blow.

Yet Su Feng did it. He did not care about the pain of his falls. The only thing the Chinese guard cared about at that moment was how to score.

The Heat's offense was stifled, missing ten consecutive shots in a chaotic stretch. The Cleveland Cavaliers' rapid recovery and switching put the Big Three under immense pressure, yet their playmaking kept missing the mark. Kobe Bryant played through his sprained finger, making Bosh—once a star of the "basketball battle"—look completely neutralized.

Unfortunately, toward the end of the second quarter, the intensity of the Cleveland Cavaliers' defense dropped significantly due to rotation minutes. Robert Henry immediately seized the opportunity, scoring nine straight points single-handedly to spark a 9-0 run for his team, turning the tide just before halftime.

51 to 51. Every single Heat fan was sweating profusely. This was not because the American Airlines Arena's air conditioning system had failed; it was because the game was simply too close, and the fans were terrified!

Just like in the previous quarter, the San Antonio Spurs and their superstars maintained their level of play. If not for Robert Henry, it would be impossible to imagine how far behind the Heat might have fallen.

"Superstars—that's the only straw saving the Heat today! Unfortunately, the Cleveland Cavaliers did a phenomenal job containing the superstars today, which is what sets them apart from the last game. If the San Antonio Spurs' superstars cannot pull off miraculous performances in the middle and low zones, the situation is going to become quite dangerous!" Henry Will watched proudly, as if he were the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Even though the Cleveland Cavaliers were battling fiercely on the road, observant onlookers could notice that Robert Henry, whose brow remained furrowed, seemed deeply worried.

On the court, the Cleveland Cavaliers' defensive pressure had been remarkably successful. But in reality, such suffocating defense took a massive toll on the players' stamina. They had to maintain total concentration and run frantically to disrupt the San Antonio Spurs' star-studded offense.

Kobe Bryant was injured, and the rest of the veterans were aging. Robert Henry did not know how long his players could sustain this ultra-high-intensity defense. The moment there was a lapse, everything could be lost under the relentless bombardment of the Big Three.

Then there was the guy named Su Feng, who threw himself into the paint time and again, earning trips to the free-throw line. His scoring in the paint was crucial, marking the Cleveland Cavaliers' second-highest production in the interior, trailing only Kobe Bryant.

It was just that the San Antonio Spurs' defensive aggression against Su Feng was escalating. Robert Henry could not help but worry whether this would eventually take a physical toll on Su Feng.

Back in the locker room, Robert Henry could hear the players' heavy panting echoing through the player tunnel of the American Airlines Arena. Everyone was drenched in sweat, sitting in various spots around their lockers to recover their energy.

To defeat the San Antonio Spurs—a club boasting multiple superstars—was not impossible, but it required paying a heavy price.

Rapid defensive transitions, powerful blocks, and absolute focus were indispensable. Despite the demanding requirements, the Cleveland Cavaliers had executed them brilliantly in the first half. Surely, the Heat had never expected to encounter such fierce resistance.

Robert Henry's primary concern wasn't tactical execution anymore; it was the physical well-being of his players. At the end of the second quarter, with most of the Cleveland Cavaliers' starters resting, he had to rely on a nine-point surge just to bridge the gap.

Figuring out the rotation timing in the second half undoubtedly became Robert Henry's biggest headache.

51-51. The San Antonio Spurs had encountered fierce resistance on their home court. Kobe Bryant and the Cleveland Cavaliers had spent five years getting back to this stage; they would not let go easily. As the game entered the second half, the Big Three had to step up, or the Cleveland Cavaliers just might steal a win!

Henry Will and Smith, standing in the press box, were already warming up for their post-game analysis. In fact, if not for the preview of these two analysts, the fans might have been bursting with excitement like popcorn.

Yet most spectators did not want to see how the Cleveland Cavaliers managed to hold on; they wanted to see how the San Antonio Spurs would ultimately secure victory.

Following the brief intermission, the players emerged from the locker rooms once more. Although stunned by the first-half resistance, the San Antonio Spurs looked relaxed. In contrast, the Dallas/Cleveland Cavaliers players walked out with furrowed brows and weary expressions, looking less like a team that had rested in the locker room and more like athletes who had just spent halftime in a weight room.

Quick scoring remained the San Antonio Spurs' objective. They had no desire to grind it out with the Cleveland Cavaliers until the final minutes; settling the match as quickly as possible was the safest route to victory.

After Robert Henry's nine-point flurry at the close of the second half, he seemed to have flipped a switch, playing with explosive intensity.

As soon as the third quarter got underway, Robert Henry utilized a screen from Stevenson to execute a swift, low-bending drive, successfully converting a reverse layup. Stevenson's defense was far from sloppy, but Robert Henry managed to score despite the immense pressure.

During the second half, Robert Henry racked up eleven consecutive points. Superstars were the engine of the offense, and that was how the San Antonio Spurs intended to win.

The San Antonio Spurs sought to assert themselves immediately, eager to maintain momentum and crush the Cleveland Cavaliers' morale right from the start.

However, a flash of blue dashed the home crowd's hopes.

After securing the baseline inbound pass, Su Feng did not slow down the pace, instead sprinting directly into the frontcourt. As he approached Robert Henry, Su Feng shifted the ball between his hands and burst forward with a sudden change of pace, blowing past half of the Flash's frame.

Still, that narrow margin of separation was far from safe against Su Feng. Robert Henry's signature steals were notoriously deceptive, and Su Feng had no intention of testing his luck.

Driving deep into the paint, Su Feng elevated for a layup. Robert Henry was not fooled; instead of leaving his feet, he smothered Su Feng's space, refusing to give him even an inch to operate.

Yet Su Feng managed to thread a pass through the smallest of gaps, finding Marion. Receiving the ball, Marion stepped back and rose for a jump shot. This time, Kobe Bryant eluded Douglas's defense and successfully drained two points.

The Cleveland Cavaliers answered back, their tenacity unrelenting. Spoelstra pressed his lips together, eager to see just how long the Cleveland Cavaliers could keep this up.

After a few exchanges, Robert Henry delivered an alley-oop pass. Douglas leaped into the air like a winged eagle, hoisting his arms high to challenge Kobe Bryant, hesitating only for a fraction before slamming the ball home.

Kobe Bryant's defense was shattered once again by Douglas's extraordinary athleticism, dealing a blow to the team's morale because Douglas not only scored but also punched a hole right through the Cleveland Cavaliers' defensive wall.

The entire arena erupted in cheers, with many believing the Cleveland Cavaliers were finally on the verge of breaking.

Yet, unexpectedly, it was Kobe Bryant—who had just been scored upon by Douglas—who immediately answered back.

Su Feng slowly controlled the pace, giving his teammates time to run the offense. The ball moved through several hands before returning to Su Feng. Making a decisive drive, Su Feng faked a shot and instead initiated another play, successfully wrapping up the possession.

Kobe Bryant received the ball, and anticipating another jump shot, Douglas failed to contest him closely. To everyone's surprise, Kobe Bryant utilized a pump fake and drove past his defender.

Returning to the court, Su Feng massaged his aching arm.

This game was a grueling battle of attrition. Su Feng wondered if he and the Cleveland Cavaliers could withstand the onslaught of the Big Three through the second half.

Stepping back into the player tunnel, Su Feng leaned his head back in exhaustion, letting sweat stream down his face.

Rest—breathing and resting as much as possible was all Su Feng wanted to do right now. And the hardest part was still yet to come.

Douglas offered no immediate response as Kobe Bryant calmly laid the ball in to tie the score once more.

Shortly after, Bosh's baseline jumper was blocked by Kobe Bryant. The Spaniard's injured middle finger did not hinder him; rather, it served as a constant motivator. Every single possession had to be fought for if they wanted to honor five years of hard work!

"Thwack!" With a crisp sound, the ball Bosh had just launched was ruthlessly swatted away by Kobe Bryant. Even better, the loose ball fell directly into Su Feng's hands.

What were they waiting for? Grabbing the ball, Su Feng turned and sprinted! The Heat scrambled back on defense, with Douglas reacting the fastest.

Douglas trailed right behind Su Feng, waiting for a chance to block him. For an ordinary player, having a human tank hot on your heels created immense psychological pressure; most players would choose to pass under such circumstances.

But Su Feng felt no fear.

Stepping into the restricted area, Su Feng leaped directly into the air, appearing to go for a slam dunk!

Douglas elevated right behind him, extending both arms to contest the shot—a routine defensive play for an athlete of Douglas's caliber.

Just as Douglas swung his arm down to swat the ball, Su Feng suddenly tucked the ball against his chest. Evading Douglas's swipe, he elevated once more and gently guided the ball toward the rim.

The ball banked off the backboard and dropped through the net, while Su Feng, spinning away from Douglas's body, completed a magnificent reverse layup!

However, Douglas was unable to arrest his momentum mid-air. Given his extraordinary physical strength, he collided violently with Su Feng!

Such a collision was par for the course for Douglas, but the moment Su Feng's hands left the ball, his body was sent flying. Being hit by Douglas was little different from being struck by a pickup truck.

Losing his balance in mid-air, Su Feng crashed heavily to the floor. The tremendous inertia caused him to slide across the hardwood until he collided with the padding beneath the basket, finally coming to a halt.

"That's got to hurt. Can he even get back up from that?"

Before Henry Will could finish speaking, Su Feng picked himself up. Rubbing his aching back, he trotted back to defend his half of the court.

Seeing this, Robert Henry flew into a rage. He rushed over to the head coach, demanding to know why that basket hadn't been whistled as a foul!

In truth, Robert Henry knew the referee wouldn't overturn the call. He acted merely to exert pressure on the officiating crew, hoping to influence subsequent whistle-blowing. After all, Su Feng could not afford to keep absorbing unrewarded punishment.

This time, the tables were turned on the Dallas/Cleveland Cavaliers. Even Douglas could no longer completely stifle Su Feng's courageous and decisive offense. The third quarter was nearing its end, and despite throwing everything they had at them, the San Antonio Spurs had failed to secure any definitive advantage, instead being pushed to the brink of desperation by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Douglas felt the Cleveland Cavaliers were absolute madmen. You could hit them as hard as you wanted and knock them to the floor, but moments later, these guys would pop right back up. The harder you hit them, the faster they got back on their feet!

"Damn guys!" Douglas gritted his teeth, the superstar feeling a genuine sense of dread toward the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The game was agonizingly tight, a true arm-wrestle. As the third quarter wound down, Robert Henry substituted Kobe Bryant with veteran leadership to give him a brief rest. Kobe slid down a position while the bench player filled in at the forward spot.

With Kobe carrying a minor injury, Robert Henry had to manage his minutes. Yet for the San Antonio Spurs, this was an opening! There was nothing better than capitalizing on Kobe's absence.

So, the moment Kobe stepped off the floor, the San Antonio Spurs players seemed instantly energized, ramping up their defensive pressure and pushing the pace in search of fast-break points.

Su Feng passed the ball to his teammate, but Douglas refused to grant any breathing room. Although the backup had occasionally flashed brilliance in previous series, he had largely been invisible in the finals until now—primarily because Douglas's defense on him was suffocating.

With no space to operate, the teammate passed the ball back out to the perimeter.

On the sideline, Robert Henry frowned, staring intently at the panting Su Feng.

"How are you feeling? Can you hold on a bit longer?" Robert Henry knew Su Feng's performance in the clutch would dictate the outcome of the game. If Su Feng's energy truly deserted him, he would have to lean more heavily on other options.

Though today Robert Henry had deliberately managed Su Feng's playing time, the guard had already logged heavy minutes. Every break Su Feng caught was brief. It couldn't be helped; this was the maximum concession Robert Henry could make. Despite a mediocre performance in prior stretches, Su Feng's absence deeply impacted the team.

"I'm fine, no problem!" Su Feng wiped away the sweat and steadied his breathing. Coach trusted him, and he refused to let him down.

Only Su Feng could pierce through the opponent's defensive wall! Without him, there was simply no adequate replacement on the roster.

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers had no time to dwell on fatigue. The playoffs marched on, and dropping a game at this crucial juncture could prove fatal.