On the wing, Chen Xi used Ingles's screen to quickly move up to the 45-degree spot. He caught the pass, then turned to face House.
As soon as he put the ball on the floor, he made a Push Dribble Change of Direction and accelerated past his defender without a moment's hesitation, driving all the way into the paint before reaching the Mid-range area he knew so well.
Then Chen Xi slammed the ball down and pulled up sharply. He dragged it back between his legs, followed with a sideways step-back, and faked a shot after gathering the ball. House took the bait and went flying. Chen Xi leaped off both feet, brushed against his defender in midair, and released the shot.
The shot didn't go in—the ball struck the back of the rim and bounced away—but fortunately, the referee blew the whistle, sending Chen Xi to the free-throw line.
He calmly sank both free throws, giving his team the first point of the Second Half.
Possession changed, and the 76ers went on offense.
Maxey quickly brought the ball across half court and went to the Top of the Key, where he used Tucker's screen to drive into the Mid-range. Taking advantage of Drummond's slow help defense, he finished with a floater.
The deficit remained at 17 points.
On the next possession,
Rose held the ball at the Top of the Key and called for a Pick-and-Roll with Chen Xi. As he drove, he saw that his teammate had drawn the defense away, so he simply accelerated toward the basket. He jumped, drew Embiid's defense in midair, then passed to Drummond.
Unfortunately, Drummond had butterfingers on that play.
He couldn't secure the catch, and the ball slipped out of bounds. It was a backcourt ball.
The 76ers launched another counterattack.