It was the Thunder Team's turn on offense.
Grimes initiated a face-up isolation on the wing against Strus.
A Between-the-Legs Crossover, a Front Crossover, then a feigned drive flowing into a Step-back jumper.
The entire sequence was silky smooth, practically on par with PG~~
Unfortunately, his finish fell just short.
The ball bounced off the rim, and Hart secured the rebound.
The Knicks immediately launched a Push counter-attack.
Hart passed to Chen Xi on the move.
Chen Xi took the ball straight into the frontcourt, then stopped two full steps beyond the three-point line right in front of Cunningham, gathered, and rose for a deep Chasedown Three-pointer.
"Fuck! He's shooting! Get out there!!"
On the bench, Westbrook sprang to his feet and shouted the moment he saw that familiar sight, trying to warn Cunningham. Clearly, though, he was already too late...
Swish~~
That sound of the net snapping, so familiar to Oklahoma City's fans, rang out once again inside the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Unfortunately, this time the points went up on the Thunder Team's opponent's side of the scoreboard.
Under Cunningham's incredulous gaze, Chen Xi landed steadily, then turned and walked back toward his own end.
As he strolled back, he even flashed his classic three-point celebration at the crowd, looking thoroughly amused.
Interestingly, unlike the reactions of most opposing crowds he had faced before, Chen was greeted not by a storm of boos, but by a sea of complicated looks and a scattering of cheers.
Quite a few fans in Thunder number 3 jerseys could already be seen standing in the courtside seats.
They cheered loudly, celebrating Chen Xi's basket without the slightest restraint.
Yet this behavior, which looked almost like "defection" to outsiders, drew no complaints from the other die-hard Thunder Fans around them.
In fact, spurred on