But against an elite team with suffocating defense like the Knicks, panic was the last thing anyone could afford.
Because panic created openings!
This time was no different.
Chen Xi darted in from the side immediately, having already read Watson's passing lane, and intercepted the ball cleanly.
Then he accelerated at once, launching the transition attack.
He raced upcourt, spun past Braun's attempt to stop him, then gathered for his steps and twisted in midair, passing to the trailing George right in front of Braun and Gordon.
Paul George caught it, jumped, and finished with an effortless lay-in near the rim.
Another two points!!
Just like that, they seized control of the tempo again.
That was what facing a team like the Knicks, and facing Chen Xi, meant.
They absolutely could not panic when trailing. Once they did, they would be pinned down and battered.
Nor could they relax with a lead. One lapse could immediately give their opponents an opening for a counterattack...
Against a team like this, their only option was to maintain intensity and concentration throughout the game, put enough pressure on Chen Xi, and sustain their offensive production. Even then, they still needed to wait for mistakes and seize their opportunities to have a chance of winning.
From that perspective, among the other current teams, the Oklahoma Thunder really did have the roster best suited to taking them down.
After all, the Thunder currently boasted the best rotation length and depth.
The only problem might have been that Westbrook, Alexander, Davis, and the others were a tier below Chen as stars. If they failed to contain him, Chen Xi could easily tear through them single-handedly~~
Back to the Denver Nuggets' perspective.
Continuing to attack while fighting against the other team's rhythm was undoubtedly difficult.
Fortunately, Jokic