With 1:35 left in the game, it had entered crunch time without anyone realizing.
Knicks possession.
Hart received the inbound in the backcourt, turned and crossed half court. At Chen Xi's signal, he stood near the logo and burned clock.
Only when twelve seconds remained on the shot clock did the Knicks players begin moving again.
A simple horns set.
Hartenstein and Ethan stepped up to the elbows for a pick-and-roll, creating a good driving opportunity for Hart, who had brought the ball to the top of the arc.
At the same time, Joe and Chen Xi, stationed in the two corners, immediately began to move.
On Chen Xi's side, he turned and curled toward the basket, seizing the chance to dart straight into the Thunder's paint.
Joe, meanwhile, stepped up along the sideline, holding his hands before his chest as he prepared to receive the pass.
Hart then drove with the ball, choosing Hartenstein's side and accelerating into the paint.
After drawing the defense's attention on the move, he kicked the ball out to Joe by the sideline.
Joe caught it and pump-faked, getting Barrett to bite on the switch. He then put the ball on the floor and drove into the paint.
At the same time, Hartenstein timely sealed Davis behind him, setting a Gortat Screen for Joe.
Then Paul Joe took a long stride into the wide-open Thunder paint and quickly finished with a close-range floater, smoothly sending the ball through the net.
Two points!
The Knicks were back up by five.
His scoring in the clutch remained rock-solid.
What delighted the coaching staff and fans even more was that, on this possession, the Knicks had finally reduced their reliance on Chen Xi. His off-ball threat alone had been enough to complete the offense.
If they could