Wang Yi's one-handed free-throw-line dunk instantly set the crowd on fire.
Wang Yi had barely attacked at all this game. The first quarter was nearly halfway over, and this was his first time going on the offensive.
And his first attack was explosive.
Over the next two possessions, Wang Yi continued to stick tightly to Curry, making it difficult for him to get the ball.
If a Warriors player risked trying to pass to Curry, they could easily have the ball stolen by Wang Yi.
Even more bizarrely, when Green stood at the top of the key with the ball, waiting for Curry to run into position, Wang Yi chased Curry past Green. With no chance to pass to Curry, Green could only look for someone else.
But Wang Yi, who had been chasing Curry, suddenly turned around and slapped both hands straight onto the ball in Green's hands.
Merlin was completely unprepared.
Wang Yi yanked the basketball right out of Green's hands.
Another steal.
He charged downcourt and threw down another dunk.
Warriors head coach Kerr could only shake his head helplessly. He checked the clock: five minutes remained in the first quarter.
Curry wasn't supposed to rest yet, but Kerr had no choice but to take him out. Curry looked completely useless on the court, serving at most as a distraction for Wang Yi's defense.
But today, Wang Yi didn't seem to have any plans to do anything on offense at all.
As Curry came off the court, he couldn't help shooting Green a resentful look.
He knew perfectly well why Wang Yi was hounding him today. It was all because Green had run his mouth, and Wang Yi wanted to prove who the real Defensive Player of the Year was. And Curry was the one paying the