On April 16, in the first round of the Playoffs, the Thunder faced the Jazz in Game 1 of their series.
Chen Xi stood on the familiar court, taking several deep breaths to steady himself.
"Relax, this is our home court!" Westbrook walked over and squeezed Chen Xi's shoulder.
"Just like the coach said, against the Jazz, we only need to play the way we did in the Regular season. We're the stronger side, so we can just wait for them to make their move."
"Yeah, I know. I'm just easing up this slightly tense body of mine. After all, this is the first Playoff game of my career." Chen Xi smiled and nodded. It would have been a lie to say he was not nervous.
Time passed quickly. Both teams took their positions, and the game began.
Gobert used his long arms to tip the ball, and the Jazz took the first possession.
George Hill brought the ball beyond the three-point line and called for a Pick-and-Roll with Hayward. After drawing Butler's defense away, he passed the ball back to Hayward, who faced up against Westbrook one-on-one.
After catching the ball in Triple Threat position, he took one dribble, stopped sharply, and rose for a pull-up jumper.
Two points.
The Thunder remained completely unfazed. Westbrook brought the ball up methodically and directed his teammates into position. Chen Xi returned to his old trade, curling from the top of the arc to the baseline, using Adams's screen to reach the weak-side corner. Westbrook's pass arrived instantly.
He raised his hand and buried the three with ease.
On the Jazz's next possession, Ingles and Diaw set a double screen for Hayward at the free-throw line. Hayward curled out to the middle, caught the ball, and pulled up, but failed to score