Chen Xi and Green entered the game, replacing Reddish and Batum.
As for Davis, he stayed on the court.
In the Thunder's regular rotation, AD usually sat out the final three minutes of the second quarter...
Likewise, the Mavericks on the other side kept pace with the Thunder.
When Kidd saw Chen Xi rise from the bench on the other side of the court, he immediately turned to find Doncic and sent him back onto the floor, replacing Brunson.
Keeping Doncic's and Chen Xi's minutes closely tied together was a strategy the Mavericks had devised before the game.
They hoped Doncic's formidable individual ability and playmaking talent could carry the team, thereby mitigating the huge threat Chen Xi posed.
Put simply, they hoped Doncic could stick with Chen and trade baskets with him on offense~~
Soon, play resumed.
Alexander's second free throw went in cleanly as well.
With that free throw, the Thunder restored their lead to seven points.
The Mavericks inbounded from the backcourt and continued their attack, looking to cut into the deficit.
Doncic dribbled across half court and, as expected, faced Chen Xi at the top of the key.
He dribbled, watched his teammates' movement, then suddenly passed to Tim Hardaway Jr. by the sideline.
After catching the ball, Hardaway didn't hesitate against Alexander's defense. He put the ball on the floor and drove straight at him.
Relying on sheer momentum, he powered past SGA and into the paint, gathered the ball, took his first steps, and went up for a shot at the rim.
On the other side of the court, Davis had been drawn away from the paint by Kleber, who posed a shooting threat. That left Batum, still on the floor, responsible for rim protection.
Seeing this, Batum immediately and decisively left Powell at