The second quarter Bench Connection Segment featured both sides' starters mixed with reserves.
For the Pelicans, it was Walker and Davis, along with Brogdon, Bogdan, and Siakam.
For the Warriors, it was Thompson and Green, joined by Livingston, Iguodala, and Looney.
The game remained deadlocked.
At this rate, there was a high probability that the winner would not be decided until the final moment.
But just then, a Controversial Call appeared on the court.
Walker drove into the paint, knocked Green aside, and made a difficult signature underhand bank shot.
The referee's whistle sounded as well.
Just as Walker and the other Pelicans players thought it was a 2+1, the referee instead signaled an Offensive Foul.
Walker looked utterly confused.
Green had been helping on defense on that play and had not even set his feet. Moreover, he had been standing inside the Restricted Area.
Either way, there should have been no whistle. If there was one, it should absolutely have been a defensive foul.
Stevens also went to the scoring table to protest, but it did not help.
After Xiao Hua returned, he reduced coaches' challenge rights to one.
That meant this opportunity would most likely have to be saved for the final moments, so Stevens did not dare use it.
On the other end, Thompson buried a Catch-and-shoot Three-Pointer from the perimeter.
The Warriors took the lead, a six-point swing just like that.
The Controversial Call affected the emotions of the Pelicans players, and Siakam's frustrated charge to the basket was blocked by Looney.
The Warriors went on a Fast break, and Green assisted Iguodala on a reverse layup for 2+1.
Once the and-one free throw went in, the Warriors had gone on a 6-0 run and turned it around to lead the Pelicans by five.
Xiao Hua