Blowing Irving Out in a Single Quarter
Wang Yi scored 14 points in just three minutes.
The Nets had failed to score a single point during those three minutes, as Wang Yi alone had outscored them 14–0.
No one had expected this.
Nets head coach Steve Nash really wanted to call another timeout, but he held back.
It was only three minutes into the game. If he used too many timeouts now, what would he have left for the fourth quarter?
The Nets continued their offense.
This time, they gave the ball to Durant.
Tucker was guarding Durant.
Naturally, Tucker couldn't keep up with Durant's speed.
Durant's wide crossover shook Tucker off, and then he pulled up for a mid-range jumper.
He made the two-pointer.
At last, the Nets were on the board.
But as soon as they scored, the Kings launched a fast break.
This time, Durant was smart. The moment Wang Yi got the ball, Durant stepped in front of him, stopping him from starting the fast break right away.
Wang Yi tossed the ball straight to Capela, then sprinted upcourt.
His meaning was clear.
Capela, just grab the ball and throw it upcourt. If I can't catch it, that's on me.
Capela didn't even check whether anyone was upcourt. He simply launched the ball forward.
And so Wang Yi and Beverley of the Kings raced against Durant, Harden, and Irving of the Nets.
In the end, Wang Yi's speed won out. He got to the ball just before it could bounce out of bounds.
But he was already behind the backboard, while Durant, Irving, and Harden had completely sealed off his position. He had no room to shoot at all.
And with the three of them surrounding him near the baseline, passing was extremely difficult, too.
Dragon