The Rockets' Foundation Revealed, The Veterans' Depth!

In the locker room, the atmosphere stood in stark contrast to the roar outside.

The Houston Rockets' locker room was so quiet it felt oppressive. Complex lines filled Coach Tomjanovich's tactics board, but he knew the true key to the second half was not strategy—it was finding a way to contain that nearly unstoppable number 7.

"Scottie." Tomjanovich's voice broke the silence. His eyes fixed on Pippen, who was wiping away sweat with a towel. "You'll take primary responsibility for Li Fei in the second half."

Pippen looked up, with no surprise in his eyes—only a flame that had been reignited. He nodded and said in a deep voice, "Leave it to me."

Charles Barkley panted heavily and took a huge gulp of Gatorade before adding in his muffled voice, "Scottie, just stick to him on the perimeter. Don't let him catch the ball easily. The moment he dares take one step into the paint, Hakeem and I will show him what Houston's No-Fly Zone is all about!"

Olajuwon nodded silently from the side, a hunter's gleam flickering in his deep-set eyes. Three Hall of Fame-caliber defensive stalwarts had reached an agreement at that moment—smother Li Fei with the most suffocating defense possible!

Meanwhile, in the Knicks' locker room, Jeff Van Gundy sternly emphasized the priorities for the second half.

"Listen up, guys! The Rockets are definitely going to counterattack. They'll do everything they can to cut off the connection between Li and Kobe. That means everyone else has to step up! Larry, work the low post more and make Pippen expend energy! Kobe, don't be so fixated on isolations with the ball. Move more, use screens, and find your openings!"

Li Fei sat in his spot, calmly listening to the coach's instructions. His breathing was even and deep, as