Chen Xi slowed his pace as he dribbled, plodding along just fast enough to cross half court before the eight-second violation, then signaled to his teammates from the logo area, indicating that they should start moving.
On this possession, the Knicks ran a simple Chicago action.
Chen Xi dribbled to the top of the key and waited for Grant to set an on-ball screen. He then handed the ball off while following through with a fake screen for him.
Pretending to stop Middleton in pursuit, he quickly popped out toward the sideline, slightly bending both arms in front of him and preparing to receive the ball.
This immediately drew a great deal of defensive attention from the Bucks, creating an opportunity for Grant at the top of the key.
Grant immediately drove, attacking the paint and charging into the Bucks' defensive formation before kicking the ball to Ethan in the corner.
Ethan caught the ball and took the three-point shot.
The basketball swished through the net!
The score became 28–22.
The New York Knicks continued to maintain their lead, with the margin reaching six points.
Other than Toppin, the Knicks had produced a second player capable of hitting an outside three.
That was not good news for the Bucks.
After all, Chen Xi had not even started exerting himself yet.
At this point in the quarter, Chen Xi had only six points, three rebounds, and four assists. Clearly, he had not yet devoted his energy to his individual offense.
Under these circumstances, the Knicks had quietly widened the gap against the Bucks. That was something Milwaukee could not accept.
In theory, they were clearly the team with the more advantageous lineup!
They should have been the team more likely to gain an advantage during the transition period!
The next possession