The two players set a double screen for Wang Yi, giving him a brief chance to get beyond the three-point line.
But Tatum reacted extremely quickly. The moment he saw Wang Yi briefly left unguarded, he abandoned Zhang Jiacheng and rushed out to block Wang Yi beyond the arc.
Seeing this, Wang Yi didn't continue toward the three-point line. Instead, he slammed on the brakes with his left foot.
He stopped just one step short of the three-point line.
At the same time, Zhang Jiacheng's pass arrived right on cue.
It was a perfect pass, slipping past Tatum's feet and reaching Wang Yi.
Wang Yi didn't need to adjust at all. He could catch the ball and immediately turn toward the basket to go in for a layup.
And the Star Burst Tactic's sudden movement had thrown the Celtics' defense into disarray. Great Emperor Embiid had somehow been pushed beyond the three-point line, leaving the paint completely empty.
Wang Yi could go in for an easy layup—or even a dunk.
So, as soon as he caught the ball, Wang Yi planted his right foot and turned to face the basket.
Tatum was shocked.
The shrinking lead had already dealt a blow to the Celtics' morale. If they let Wang Yi dunk on top of that, their spirits would take an even bigger hit while the Raptors' morale soared. That would be disastrous.
He immediately took off, chasing after Wang Yi from behind.
However, after catching the ball, Wang Yi turned to face the basket but didn't drive. Instead, as soon as he faced the hoop, he turned right back around without pausing, now with his back to it.
Then he drove off hard with his left foot and darted toward the three-point line.
That was the last thing Tatum expected.