The referee's whistle sounded, and Adams fought to tip the ball over Davis's head back into the Thunder's half.
As Westbrook's best partner, coupled with his Card Forward identity, he had been given a whole series of nicknames by Thunder fans, including Egghead and Guardian Egg.
Just as he had shown during his conversations with Westbrook in the locker room, he was now Westbrook's most trusted and dependable teammate.
Westbrook dribbled the ball into the frontcourt. Sabonis and Oladipo spread out on both wings while Adams stepped up for a High Post Pick and Roll.
After the screen, Westbrook took the ball and charged straight inside.
This was the Thunder's typical style of play this season. Like Tang Tian's tactics in the previous game, it was simple and direct.
However, Westbrook failed to break into the Pelicans' paint.
It was not because he was not fast enough, but because the Pelicans had clearly come prepared.
Jokic collapsed into the paint, Holiday came in for the trap from behind, and even Tang Tian closed in on him.
A Three-person double team. Compared to the BOX-1 Tang Tian had faced, it was only two men short.
Westbrook had no opening. He could only dribble the ball back out beyond the three-point line.
After returning to the three-point line, he called Adams over for another screen. This time, he accelerated with everything he had, but still failed to break through the defense.
In the end, he chose to shoot through contact with the defense on him. He nearly got blocked, and the ball clanged off the rim.
Jokic boxed out Westbrook after his shot, and Tang Tian seized the opportunity to grab the Defensive Rebound.
Jokic's Card Forward technique was becoming more and more refined.
The Thunder's first possession came up empty, and