With the full starting lineup on the floor, if Garland handled the ball too much, Barnes—a player with the potential to grow into an all-around playmaking forward—would become less involved in the game.
That was why Carlisle had brought Mathurin in early. With more of an off-ball role, Mathurin would let Garland lead the bench lineup during the transition period.
After the second timeout of the game ended,
the players from both teams returned to the court.
Then the game's momentum shifted dramatically once again.
The Knicks had possession for the first play after the game resumed.
Chen Xi received the ball in the backcourt and brought it over half court himself.
At the top of the key, before the double-team could arrive, he seized the opening and drove hard past Jalen Smith into the paint. Drawing the double-team, he kicked the ball out to Ethan on the wing.
Ethan caught the ball and drove from a standstill, charging into the paint to attack the basket.
He powered through Turner's defense, but his shot at the rim missed.
Chen Xi was in the paint at just the right moment. With a keen nose for rebounds, he immediately fought for and secured the offensive board.
After grabbing it, he didn't rush into a second shot. Instead, he turned and threaded a pass to Ingles in the corner.
Ingles caught the ball and, without hesitation, launched another three-point shot.
Bang!!
Still no good!
The shot caromed off the rim again!
But!
A long rebound!
Then, all of a sudden, Josh Hart sprang up from the crowd.
Hart snatched the ball and helped the Knicks secure another offensive rebound. As soon as he landed, he decisively passed it to Chen Xi, who had been retreating past the free-throw line to get back