"Sorry!" Serge Ibaka looked full of regret. He had actually been picked clean by Kenneth Faried.
The game continued. The Oklahoma City Thunder inbounded the ball again, getting it to Russell Westbrook, who dribbled across half court.
With the ball in hand, Westbrook advanced to the top of the arc. He waved for his teammates to clear out, preparing to take Patrick Beverley one-on-one.
In fact, when Westbrook realized that Tony Allen was not the one guarding him, he secretly felt relieved.
After all, Tony Allen's defense was incredibly tough and had given him plenty of headaches.
As his teammates spread out, Westbrook launched his attack without hesitation. Dribbling with his right hand, he forcefully pushed off with his left foot and shot toward Patrick Beverley's right side like an arrow.
Patrick Beverley's reaction was not slow either. He immediately slid sideways, trying to stop Westbrook's drive.
Bang! The two slammed heavily into each other.
Faced with Westbrook's powerful impact, Patrick Beverley involuntarily took a step back.
This was exactly the opening Westbrook had been waiting for!
Seizing that instant, he violently slapped the ball down with his right hand, sending it hard into the floor before it bounced toward the left.
Immediately afterward, Westbrook caught the ball securely with his left hand, smoothly changed direction, and exploded toward Patrick Beverley's left side.
So fast!
Patrick Beverley did not react in time at all.
Like a speeding sports car, Westbrook blew past Patrick Beverley in an instant, then stormed toward the free-throw line like a gust of wind.
He then came to a sharp stop and rose up, giving the Boston Celtics no chance to help, and confidently pulled up for a mid-range jumper.
The entire sequence was fluid and natural, as though completed in one motion. The ball traced