The on-site fans were restless.
But they also knew that the team's owner had just passed away, so this loss was understandable.
After all, an 82-game season was long, and all sorts of situations could arise. The last time they lost to the Trail Blazers was because Tang Tian had been absent.
Now that their owner had died of illness—and he had been a good owner—no one could possibly act as if nothing had happened.
The Trail Blazers had simply gotten lucky, running into this kind of fortune twice.
All they could say was that fate had truly favored them this season.
After this game, the Trail Blazers' fans would probably be ecstatic.
They were the only team to have beaten the Pelicans this season, and they had done it twice.
Just when many people thought so, the situation on the court underwent a dramatic change in the second half.
After making adjustments at halftime, the Pelicans recovered their form.
Led by Tang Tian, they played a completely different half from the first half and pinned the Trail Blazers down hard.
Lillard also lost his shooting touch under Butler's defense.
The Pelicans came from behind to win, outscoring the Trail Blazers by a full 30 points in the second half.
They ultimately crushed the Trail Blazers 116-96, extending their winning streak to 30 games.
At the postgame press conference, when a reporter asked Stevens why his team had performed so differently in the two halves,
"You should ask Tang about that."
Stevens did not answer directly.
"Tang told us that winning the game was the best way to see Mr. Benson off. He loved this team, and he loved winning."
Tang Tian did not speak. Davis took the microphone and said it for him.
Tang Tian definitely could not say