"For shots like that just now, you should shoot it directly! When the opportunity comes, you have to seize it! We're ahead—what are we afraid of?! They can't beat us! The Knicks are finished!!"
Connaughton nodded at that.
Clearly, being substituted in for Allen during such a crucial closing stretch of such an important game, alongside the four starters, still put considerable mental pressure on him as a reserve.
The game continued.
The Bucks, holding a 9-point lead, launched another offensive possession.
Lillard dribbled across half-court and continued to run down the clock.
Though they were full of contempt in words, they remained extremely cautious in their actual play.
He burned time until Chen Xi stepped up to pressure him, then burst into a drive to the three-point line before giving it to Middleton on the other side.
Middleton caught the ball and immediately lobbed it inside.
Giannis received the ball in the low post, spun off Toppin with a back turn, backed his way inside, gathered for a pump fake, then powered up for the layup.
Toppin did not jump on that possession, but the contest he provided was not enough.
So Basketball went in again.
Then possession changed.
Chen Xi received the pass in the backcourt, turned, and pushed the pace at full speed.
After reaching the frontcourt, he immediately signaled for Grant to set a screen, then targeted Connaughton, forcing Middleton into chase defense and drawing a double-team before kicking the ball out to Grant.
Grant caught the ball, jumped directly, and shot a three-pointer.
Basketball swished through the net!!
Jerami Grant had hit his fourth three-pointer of the night!
The score difference was back to 8 points.
As the game entered its closing stretch, he stepped up efficiently, scoring 5 straight points and giving Chen