With the ball in place, Chen Xi sized up his defender with a triple threat. After a jab step, he burst into motion, pounding the ball once before driving straight past him.
With the boost from his badges, Chen Xi blew by Gallinari with a powerful drive, leaving him behind with ease.
Then he drove to just inside the three-point line, quickly took a step-back, and rose for a jumper.
Swish~~
The ball went in cleanly once again.
The Hawks had to deal with another hit to their defensive strategy, and the Oklahoma City fans erupted in excited cheers.
Chen Xi patted his backside and turned away, completely ignoring Gallinari, who stood beside him looking stunned.
Don't rush. The show's just getting started. This is nothing yet.
After the Thunder's possession ended, the Hawks organized another attack.
Trae Young brought the ball up and launched another pick-and-roll at the top of the key, using Collins's screen. After dribbling once, he tried a deep three.
It was a shot to test his touch.
It was also Young's way of figuring out his role for tonight.
The Hawks were fortunate that Trae Young made the shot.
From two or three meters beyond the three-point line, he drained an incredibly momentum-boosting shot.
The score was tied again at 8–8.
Judging by the game so far, the Hawks had somehow managed to keep pace with the Thunder in the opening minutes.
And that was despite Chen Xi taking over the offense and hitting two consecutive threes.
His offensive efficiency was undeniably impressive.
Still, the game had only just begun...
For some ordinary players, scoring six straight points right out of the gate might already count as a hot streak.
But for Chen, it didn't even count as a warm-up...
Soon, the Thunder went