After that block and assist, Wang Yi's spirits lifted.
On the next possession, while defending Kenny, he saw the ball reach the Spurs' backup center in the paint. He immediately abandoned Kenny and headed for the basket. Catching the opposing center off guard, he swiped the ball away.
"Hand it over!"
Then he raced down the court once more, leading the break.
This time, Westbrook was already waiting in the left corner on the offensive end.
When Wang Yi reached the basket, there was only one defender there. He could've leaped up and dunked right over him, but he refused.
Instead, he passed behind his back to Westbrook.
Westbrook didn't hesitate. He rose and shot.
The ball flew toward the rim like an arrow loosed from a bow.
Clang!
But the shot didn't go in. It hit the rim and bounced high into the air.
Wang Yi quickly boxed out and jumped, then, just as the ball came down, swatted it with his right hand toward Westbrook on the perimeter.
The pass landed perfectly. Westbrook didn't even have to move to catch it.
He'd missed the last shot, but his resolve hadn't wavered. He caught the ball and immediately launched another three.
Thump!
The ball still wouldn't go in.
Wang Yi leaped high again and tipped the rebound toward Westbrook once more.
Luckily, he'd gotten himself into good position under the basket, so he easily tipped it into Westbrook's hands.
Westbrook rose and shot again.
But perhaps the two previous misses had shaken his confidence, because this shot missed too.
Three straight misses.
That was understandable, really.
Westbrook had already made so many shots in a row earlier. It was only natural that he'd miss three in a row now.
This time, the Spurs players boxed out. Two players held