However, a few minutes before that earth-shaking collision that would decide possession to open the game, the media area by the court had just witnessed an equally heart-pounding clash.
At the time, the players were taking their final warm-up shots, while Staples Center was already roaring with noise. The sea of purple and gold surged with every basket made by a home-team player.
Amid that noisy, tense atmosphere, TNT's sideline reporter, the famous Craig Sager, dressed in his signature flashy suit, successfully "intercepted" Li Fei on the Knicks' half of the court as he was preparing to head back to the bench.
The camera's red indicator light came on, and Sager held the orange microphone up to Li Fei's mouth.
"Li," Sager's voice carried clearly through the arena's clamor, "the entire world is watching this game. Shaq says this is his territory, and Kobe says he spent the whole summer preparing for it. The nineteen-game winning streak faces an unprecedented test tonight. Are you and your team ready? What's going through your mind right now?"
It was a routine question, but one with an edge hidden beneath it. Any answer could be endlessly magnified by the media.
The other Knicks players, such as Sprewell and Houston, unconsciously slowed down and perked up their ears.
They could feel the immense pressure exerted by this arena. The hostility was almost enough to swallow them whole, leaving every muscle in their bodies somewhat stiff.
Li Fei took the towel handed over by a staff member and wiped the sweat from his brow.
There was none of the gravity one might expect before a major battle on his face. Instead, he wore a faintly teasing, relaxed smile, as though he had come to an interesting party.
Facing the camera, his calm gaze swept over