Vogel called a timeout.
Tang Tian's explosion had come very suddenly.
And he had already set up Targeted Defense against Tang Tian's long-range shots, yet Tang Tian had hit consecutive face-shots. It was completely unreasonable.
This timeout was more to cool off Tang Tian's shooting touch.
After the timeout, James drove forcefully to the basket and scored through Green's contact.
Durant had been carrying them earlier; now it was James's turn to step up.
70-68, the Lakers took the lead again!
"Defense! Defense!"
James's previous basket had been dominant, and it also fired up the on-site fans.
Tang Tian handled the ball outside, and the Lakers stuck with their previous defensive strategy.
In fact, it was a successful defensive strategy. Tang Tian's earlier scoring run had only happened because he was hot.
Davis came up to the three-point line again to set a screen for Tang Tian.
This time, Tang Tian did not go outside the three-point line. Instead, he suddenly accelerated from the right side.
That choice caught the Lakers somewhat off guard.
But James reacted quickly and immediately rotated over to help.
All of his attention was on Tang Tian.
Tang Tian closed the distance between himself and James, then drove to the right.
None could match him!
James's mind kept up, but his feet did not. He staggered and nearly fell.
After getting past James, Tang Tian charged to the basket and easily scored on an Underhand Layup.
His 12th consecutive point! His 14th point of the third quarter!
The Pelicans tied the score again!
The Lakers executed a play in the frontcourt. Simmons cut to the basket, took James's pass, and hammered it home.
Although the Lakers had not stopped Tang Tian's offense during this stretch, the Pelicans had not stopped theirs either!
"Defense! Defense!"
That