Ethan brought the ball up and turned after crossing half court to find Strus.
Strus passed it back out to Chen Xi.
Chen Xi caught the ball near the left sideline and initiated another isolation.
A classic Triple Threat with the ball.
He took a Jab Step to the right, then immediately put the ball down and drove left.
He launched with a Crossover Step, muscled through Shorter for two strides, came to a sudden stop and pounded the ball through contact, then flowed into a Showroom Behind-the-Back.
A short connecting step let him easily beat Shorter and arrive in front of Claxton.
He slowed down again and paused briefly in place.
Seeing Claxton had not stepped up to contest immediately, he gathered and rose for a floater near the rim.
Another two points!
20-17.
The Knicks extended their lead to three.
Then it was the Nets' possession again.
Harden held the ball at the forty-five-degree angle and called Siakam up for a Pick-and-Roll.
After accelerating into the lane, he went straight for a contested layup, shooting through Hartenstein's disruption.
It missed, but the whistle blew.
Another foul.
Judging from his expression, Hartenstein was bound to be a little frustrated.
But he had not exactly been wronged on that play.
Because that was exactly what Harden had been aiming for.
Noticing his team's consecutive offensive failures, as well as the sudden increase in defensive focus from Chen Xi and George on the wings, clever Harden immediately thought of using this method to disrupt their rhythm.
At the free-throw line, he calmly made the first, watched Hartenstein head to the bench and Adams check in, then smoothly released the second.
No wonder he had once led the entire league and, for a time, become the player with the most free throws.