When the Hornets fans in front of their screens saw Wemby score, they cheered one after another.
But on the sidelines, head coach Clifford's brow furrowed slightly.
Because the way they'd scored that opening basket was different from how they usually played.
First, they usually played fast, but Wang Yi had disrupted their first possession today.
Second, even when they couldn't get a fast break going, they usually had LaMelo Ball organize the offense, eventually giving Wemby an easy one-on-one opportunity. But today, Wang Yi had stuck to LaMelo, leaving Wemby to face two defenders instead of one. That would take a serious toll on Wemby's stamina.
It was the Kings' turn to attack again.
Wang Yi held the ball on the perimeter.
LaMelo was guarding him.
Wang Yi looked at LaMelo, then glanced at Doug.
He signaled for Doug to set a screen.
Seeing Wang Yi gesture to him, Doug immediately came up and set a screen to Wang Yi's left, on LaMelo's right.
Normally, Doug wouldn't have followed Wang Yi's instructions so readily.
But they were in the Finals now.
He might have been a hothead, but he knew when to rein it in. He'd never do anything to hurt the team's chances of winning.
Using Doug's screen, Wang Yi drove straight toward the paint.
As soon as Wang Yi broke through, Doug took off from the other side and followed him down the lane.
That left Wemby with a problem in the paint.
Should he guard Wang Yi on the right or Doug on the left?
In the end, he decided to guard Wang Yi.
Better to let Doug score than let Wang Yi score.
Wang Yi was already inside the restricted area, with Doug following on the left.
For a moment, Wang Yi had a chance