Davis clearly understood what Chen Xi had in mind.
Fight fire with fire.
If Harden could use his shooting threat to pull Davis out, then Chen Xi could do the same.
Besides, Davis posed a much bigger threat rolling to the basket than Claxton did.
Then let's trade baskets! Let's see who cracks first!!
The Nets were just as forceful in their response, accepting the challenge without hesitation!
My sword is no less sharp!
Harden brought the ball across half court and found Claxton for another pick-and-roll at the top of the key. He used the screen to pull laterally, forcing Davis to switch and hedge, then lobbed the ball inside.
Zhao Si caught it on the roll and accelerated straight toward the basket, looking ready to attack the rim.
But unlike the previous possession, when Batum came over from the side to help, Zhao Si seemed to have anticipated it. He immediately passed the ball out.
At the right corner, Torey Prince had a brief opening. He caught the ball, sprang up, and launched a three-pointer.
The ball swished through the net.
7–4.
Clearly, the Nets had prepared for the subsequent options in the play as well.
Then it was the Thunder's turn.
Chen Xi used the same trick again, drawing a partial double-team up top with his offensive threat before passing to Davis.
This time, Davis rolled down and found himself matched up with Prince in the low post.
He made the mismatch count.
After catching the ball, he turned sideways and gathered it, then bumped Prince aside with his strength. He leaped and laid the ball in one-handed, making it look easy.
6–7.
The game was gradually turning into a back-and-forth shootout.
The next several possessions followed the same pattern, with the two teams trading baskets.
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