Into the Final Stretch

As Chen Xi brought the ball up, Westbrook saw what was happening on the other side and decisively began moving without the ball.

He gradually made his way to the weak-side corner, then suddenly accelerated and cut toward the basket.

At the same time, Chen Xi, who had the ball at the top of the key and was drawing the defense's attention, immediately moved to coordinate with him.

Chen Xi suddenly put the ball on the floor and drove left, forcing Pope to shift over. Then, with a quick hop and a behind-the-back crossover, he went right, shook off Pope, and drove to the basket.

That little hop after the change of direction didn't just shake Pope; it also foiled Murray's attempt to steal the ball.

Chen Xi made it into the paint, forcing Jokic to step up and help.

At that exact moment, Chen Xi glanced past Jokic toward Davis and flicked his wrist, deftly sending the ball to Westbrook on the other side of the basket.

Westbrook caught the ball and took off in one motion, finishing with a soaring two-handed slam.

"Whoa! What a fantastic no-look pass! Chris sets Russell up for the finish at the rim! Oklahoma City came out of halftime looking like they'd suddenly figured it out—their offense has become so much smoother! In just over two minutes, they've gone on a 7–2 run against Denver! Could this be the start of their comeback?"

"All seven points have come from plays with Chris at the center of the offense. It's pretty interesting—Denver has somehow turned a wing, an elite scorer in this league, into a playmaker, a heliocentric ball handler."

"It really is interesting. Chris has become the playmaking core, while Russell has turned into their most reliable finisher. Is this Oklahoma City's adjustment