Still, it probably wouldn't be much of a problem, because the Knicks had clearly put out a lineup built around Chen.
Naturally, that meant New York's offense would become Chen Xi's personal showcase over the next few minutes...
And once Chen Xi entered scoring mode on offense and took complete control of the game, the Knicks wouldn't have to worry about scoring at all.
Perhaps all they needed to focus on was defense...
Back on the court.
The Thunder Team had the ball.
The score stood at 29–24.
Cunningham received the inbound pass in the backcourt, crossed half court, and arrived at the top of the key, facing the Knicks' restored conventional defensive formation.
He initiated a pick-and-roll at the top of the key.
Accelerating around the screen, he drove into the paint before passing on the move to Grimes on the wing.
Grimes caught the ball and faced Strus's defense.
He held the ball in a triple threat stance, then put it on the floor and drove.
He exploded forward with a crossover step, accelerated into contact to create space, then followed with a push dribble change of direction into the paint. Finally, he challenged Adams's rim protection and attempted to finish with a layup.
The ball bounced off the rim and missed.
But Davis rolled in and grabbed the rebound, immediately jumping for a putback.
This time, however, the ball still wouldn't go in.
Adams was called for a defensive foul, though.
Davis went to the free-throw line and made one of two.
Possession returned to the Knicks.
Chen Xi brought the ball into the frontcourt and began isolating against Cunningham.
He strung together between-the-legs and front crossovers, shifting C.C.'s defensive balance, then suddenly accelerated. With a drop step and a powerful push off the floor, he burst