This was the Magic's toughest problem to deal with right now.
Aside from Isaac, they really didn't have any particularly good defensive options at their disposal.
So when they faced staggered screens from their opponents and were forced to switch, it was all too easy for someone to exploit their weaknesses.
That was exactly what was happening on the court now.
Chen Xi gave the Magic no time to adjust. After catching the ball again, he immediately accelerated past Anthony, barreled into the paint, then pulled up at the free-throw line and sank a trademark mid-range jumper, scoring the first basket of his Knicks career.
2–0.
Then possession changed hands, and the ball went to Orlando.
Markelle Fultz, the 2017 Number One Pick, dribbled briskly over half court and passed to Cole Anthony at the top of the key.
Anthony called Vucevic over to set a screen, then used it to launch his drive.
After accelerating into the paint, he found himself facing Drummond on the switch. Anthony opted for a bounce pass, sending the ball back to Vucevic, who had just rolled to the basket and taken two steps.
Vucevic caught the ball and went straight up with a long two over Rose, who had switched onto him.
Swish~~
The ball swished through the net as well.
At some point, it seemed professional players had started picking up the long two again.
They didn't use it as a regular weapon the way Chen did, but at least they no longer treated it with the disdain they had during the peak of the Moreyball era.
The score was tied at 2–2.
Then came the next possession.
New York's offense.
Rose dribbled over half court and, once he reached the top of the key, looked to pass to Chen Xi again.