Fooled, and Still Smiling!

During the Bench Connection Segment of the second quarter, Stevens, just like in the previous two games, still had Jokic lead the team on the court.

This had also been a crucial part of the team's victories over the past two games.

But this time, the Pelicans failed to establish an advantage.

It was not that the Pelicans played poorly, but that the Mavericks played too well.

Barea, coming off the Mavericks' bench, was in heroic form. His drives looked like he was moving through an empty court, as if he had returned to the 2011 Finals.

More than four minutes into the second quarter, it was 38-32, with the Mavericks still ahead.

Once the Bench Connection Segment passed, both sides gradually brought their starters back in.

The intensity on the court during this stretch was extremely high. Every basket required a Physical battle.

At the end of the half, the two teams were tied at 55.

This was the first time in the series that the score had been tied.

Cuban was visibly emotional on the sidelines. His big move had worked after all.

If things continued at this pace, the Mavericks had a great chance of winning tonight!

During the half-time break, both Head Coaches were anxiously drawing up tactics.

Stevens spoke much louder than he had at the start of the game.

He had already found the way to beat the Mavericks, but with the game still deadlocked like this, the feeling of things slipping out of control made him anxious.

He was outstanding, but he was still only a Head Coach who had just turned forty.

After the tactical arrangements were finished, Tang Tian took the initiative to walk out of the locker room with Stevens.

"Brad, don't be anxious. It doesn't matter if we lose