The game began.
The Cavaliers' starting lineup remained unchanged, still featuring Larry Hughes, Aleksandar Pavlović, LeBron James, Drew Gooden, and Tang Long.
The Heat, on this night, fielded the following starting five:
Point Guard: Jason Williams.
Shooting Guard: Dwyane Wade.
Small Forward: Shawn Marion, affectionately nicknamed the "Long-Armed Ape" by Dragon Country fans due to his exceptionally long reach, resembling a giant ape.
Power Forward: Udonis Haslem.
He was the soul of the Heat, and in later NBA years, until LeBron left and Bosh and Wade retired, Haslem remained a steadfast presence for the Miami Heat.
Having played for the Heat for so many years, he was known by fans as the team's soul!
Center: Joel Anthony.
He moved into a starting role from the bench after Shaquille O'Neal's departure from the Heat.
He was a role player for the Heat, with rough offensive skills but a decent defensive attitude.
Head Coach Pat Riley had him on the court precisely for his defensive capabilities.
Of course, both Haslem and Marion were decent defenders. Marion, with his long arms, was particularly formidable on the boards.
He averaged 11.2 rebounds per game, making him the Heat's undisputed rebounding leader!
Even Haslem, playing in the paint, couldn't match Marion's rebounding prowess.
Subsequently, the referee blew his whistle, signaling the players from both teams to position themselves at the center circle for the tip-off.
The player jumping against Tang Long was not Haslem, but the "Long-Armed Ape," Marion.
"Your name is Tang, right? I heard you played fiercely against the Wizards last game?"
Marion taunted Tang Long, his long arms creating a sense of pressure for Tang Long.
"Let's go, man, watch me grab boards over your head."
As soon as the referee tossed the ball into the air, Marion leaped.
The man not only had an exceptionally long reach but also good leaping ability.
The ball was almost tipped into the Heat's possession. Fortunately, Tang Long had acquired the Super Fusion System.
Possessing the terrifying abilities of Atsushi Murasakibara, he managed to avoid being outmatched by Marion.
"Shawn, I admit your arms are exaggerated, but in the face of absolute strength, your little advantage is just a trick."
Tipping the ball towards the Cavaliers' side, Tang Long taunted Marion in return.
He was no pushover. Having traveled back from 2022, Tang Long felt like an adult facing children in the year 2007.
With his memories of the future, he was, to a certain extent, smarter than the people of this era. His thinking was ahead, and his vision was far-reaching. 138 Reading Network.
Marion immediately looked disgruntled. He had expected to dominate Tang Long on the boards, only to fail.
"It's okay, man, you two handle that tall guy. Don't let him score in the post!"
Wade said, signaling Marion and Haslem to lock down Tang Long in the post, preventing him from scoring freely like he did against Haywood.
On the other end, Larry Hughes brought the ball up, reaching the top of the arc. He passed to James, letting him drive for opportunities.
Marion guarded James one-on-one, and it must be said, his defensive fundamentals were solid.
James dribbled and drove, but couldn't find his rhythm.
"LeBron got shut down by Shawn on the first possession?"
The commentator observed, "Shawn isn't easily penetrated. Does LeBron need a pick-and-roll?"
His guess was correct. James, with the ball, relied on screens.
Drew Gooden, showing good court awareness, immediately moved to the high post and set a screen for James.
James found his rhythm then, driving around Marion and charging into the Cavaliers' paint like a shooting star.
He intended to drive and kick, but found himself facing an ocean of bodies.
What was there to hesitate about?
James immediately took off, palming the ball in mid-air, swinging his arm forcefully, and slamming it into the hoop with a thunderous dunk!
"BAM!!"
With a loud thud, the Cavaliers scored their first field goal.
James's spectacular dunk ignited the passion of the entire arena.
It was just one basket, and the Heat weren't in a rush.
Although they had lost consecutive games at the start of the new season, they weren't flustered. With Wade on the team, Heat fans were willing to believe in the hope of a comeback!
"Dwyane, blow them up and return LeBron's dunk!"
"Don't you fucking forget, you're Michael with five centimeters less!"
The Miami fans roared, claiming Wade was Jordan with five centimeters less.
In the NBA, Wade was indeed widely recognized as the "short Jordan."
"Tap, tap, tap!"
At this moment, Wade dribbled with a steady rhythm. As a point guard, his dribbling skills were undoubtedly superior to James'.
His matchup, Aleksandar, couldn't stop Wade's penetration.
After all, this was Wade's prime in 2007, the man who gave half a meniscus to the league!
"Oh my god! Truly the Flash, Dwyane made a lightning-fast drive, easily shaking off Aleksandar, and charged straight into the Cavaliers' paint!"
"There's still a tall guy in the paint! Oh… it seems I forgot to introduce him. This tall guy is a surprise weapon for the Cavaliers. In the last game against the Wizards, this tall guy from Dragon Country gave the Cavaliers a lot of surprises!"
"Especially his defense, it can be said to be very strong. But facing the Flash's drive, can this tall guy from Dragon Country stop Dwyane?"
The Heat commentator spoke with passion, but in the next second, Wade, with the ball, drove into the Cavaliers' paint as well.
Then, Wade leaped, regardless of who stood in front of him, and attempted a thunderous dunk, intending to impose himself over Tang Long!
"Dunking over me? Did you get my permission? Get the hell down!"
Tang Long, in his anger, even uttered a common vulgarity.
He wasn't afraid of angering Wade, as he was speaking Chinese, and Wade wouldn't understand.
"Slap!"
Just as Wade leaped to dunk, the ball was forcefully slapped away by a large hand, unable to advance further!
"This…"
Wade was shocked, and the Miami fans at the American Airlines Arena were equally stunned.
Even Pat Riley was dumbfounded. This young man from Dragon Country was impressive, blocking Wade's dunk on the first play?
Swish!
Wade realized he had been careless. He hadn't "flashed," and Tang Long had blocked him.
"Bang!"
Due to the strong forward momentum, and being intercepted by Tang Long in mid-air, Wade stumbled and fell in the paint.
The referee didn't call a foul. It was a very successful defensive play leading to a counter-attack.
"Tang… My God, you're a miracle, he actually blocked Dwyane's dunk, blocking the so-called Jordan with five centimeters less!"
Aleksandar was shocked. He had been regretting being easily beaten by Wade's quick first step.
Wade had bullied him, easily shaking him off with his speed. If this basket had been scored, it would have been his fault.
Unexpectedly, Tang Long covered for him.
Wade's drive was useless, blocked by Tang Long, and he even fell to the floor.
At this moment, Wade felt utterly humiliated!
…