With only twenty seconds left in the game, putting the ball in Chen Xi's hands was clearly the best choice, whether the opposition opted for an intense full-court press or an early intentional foul.
Chen Xi dribbled slowly across half court, reached the logo, and kept running down the clock.
He stayed patient, waiting until only ten seconds remained on the shot clock before advancing.
Two steps later, the double-team arrived, just as expected.
Chen Xi immediately passed to George, who had come up to receive it, then twisted around and made a reverse cut, using Hart's screen to cut into the paint.
Meanwhile, after catching the ball, Paul George first took a step back to his right, then immediately sent a bounce pass inside.
Cutting through the area to the left of the free-throw line, Chen Xi caught the ball on the move.
George's passing angle hadn't actually been very good.
Although the ball got past Barrett's attempt to intercept it, the spot where it bounced forced Chen Xi to slow down to collect it, giving Davis enough time to adjust his position and provide solid help defense.
Still, whatever else had happened, Chen Xi had received the ball in mid-range territory.
Even if he now had AD in front of him, SGA behind him, and Miro coming over from the side to help trap him...
Chen Xi showed no panic as he stopped and collected the ball. He took a step back while dribbling, using his body to block off Alexander's pursuit, then immediately gathered, jumped, and lofted a floater over Davis's contest!
It was a swift, decisive attempt to finish.
Chen Xi's palm pushed the ball upward at an almost vertical angle. It sailed over AD's fingertips, spinning as it drifted slowly forward before dropping toward the