A 9-point gap.
The Rockets ran a Set Play in the frontcourt. Cousins muscled his way through the Double Team and sent the ball into the basket.
Although the Pelicans' defense had been even better than in the first half, Cousins was clearly in better form as well.
On the Pelicans' possession, the ball went to Tang Tian again after crossing half court.
They were carrying out Stevens' halftime tactical adjustments, putting the ball in Tang Tian's hands.
This time, the Rockets sent a Double Team early. Besides Tucker, Harden immediately came over to help.
Tang Tian did not Drove forcefully. He signaled for Jokic to move up to the three-point line.
Tucker thought Tang Tian wanted a pick-and-roll and loudly warned Cousins.
But he had read it wrong. Tang Tian passed directly to Jokic, then used Accelerated off-ball to cut through the Double Team.
Jokic understood immediately. With a flick of the Serbian Golden Right Hand, he sent the ball straight back into Tang Tian's hands.
The Double Team had been dismantled with flawless fluidity.
By the time Tucker and Harden reacted, Tang Tian had already charged into the free-throw line.
Cousins was too late getting back. Tang Tian drove into the paint and softly laid it in for another two points, drawing a Hand-check Foul from Cousins as well.
He calmly made the free throw, scoring five straight points to open the second half.
44-34!
The lead had reached double digits!
D'Antoni frowned deeply.
Despite such high intensity physical play, the Pelicans were still able to execute this kind of coordination.
More importantly, Tang Tian's passing and cutting were too fast. The Rockets had no time at all to establish a second line of defense.
This was what a historic superstar looked like.
Fortunately, on the next possession,