Jokic set up the play, but Holiday missed the three-pointer.
On the Thunder's side, Roberson was left wide open outside and knocked down a three, helping the team break its scoring drought.
On the other end, Ariza's backdoor cut and layup was disrupted by Grant's help defense and missed.
They had not run this kind of tactic for an entire season. Even if they had adapted fairly well, it was still difficult to see immediate results at the Playoffs level.
Fortunately, the Pelicans players had been prepared for that. If they could not score, they made a Fast retreat defense and gave the Thunder no chance to launch a Defensive Counterattack.
The Thunder fell into a Set Play. Westbrook drove inside, was stopped by Tang Tian, and passed the ball to Roberson.
Roberson glanced at Ariza, who was a meter away, and took another three.
"Swish!"
It went in again!
Roberson had actually made two straight threes!
That was a little unexpected!
6-4!
The Thunder had failed to score on their first two offensive possessions, but they had now taken the lead!
Donovan was thrilled on the sidelines.
Practice!
So you wanted to practice? You really treated the Thunder like a soft persimmon, huh?!
Keep practicing!
Once things went wrong with the practice and the Thunder built momentum, it would be too late to change anything!
The Pelicans brought the ball into the frontcourt, and Jokic continued facilitating from the free-throw line.
Donovan shouted from the sidelines. The Thunder played a half-collapsed defense against the Pelicans' cuts, with Roberson guarding Tang Tian while the perimeter was half-abandoned.
It was a very targeted defensive approach.
Grant's mobility had indeed greatly improved the Thunder on the defensive end.
Jokic took a look and saw no opportunity, so he passed directly to Tang