Irving signaled for Howard to come out for a screen, but Howard’s screen didn’t block anyone. However, Irving drove towards the basket, taking two steps against Hansen, and then directly tossed the ball towards the hoop.
Although Howard’s screen failed to block anyone, he used his speed to shake off Jokic while cutting in.
Irving’s pass was of high quality, allowing Howard to catch the ball mid-air and perform an alley-oop dunk.
After landing, he displayed a long-lost joyful smile, as if reliving his prime.
The crowd was also stirred up; on court, Jokic was clearly not a match for Howard.
However, many began to realize only now that Jokic is merely a sophomore.
If he could overpower Howard in his sophomore year, he wouldn’t just be entering the All-Star but into the Best Team.
Now the Cavaliers were in real trouble because Irving had transferred to the opposite team, Wade was still on the bench, and if Jokic was suppressed, Hansen became isolated and helpless on the court.
Malone turned to look at Wade behind him, considering whether to bring Wade on early.
Hansen dribbled the ball into the front court, he no longer continued with the screen tactics, but signaled for Jokic at the three-point line and then passed the ball to him.
Hansen clearly knew the Bulls would gradually intensify their defense against him, so this was a preemptive change.
Putting Jokic at the three-point line had the major advantage of drawing Howard from the paint to the free-throw line.
Then Hansen could play without the ball.
In fact, after passing the ball, Hansen quickly cut into the basket.
Jokic also passed quickly.
After Howard was drawn to the free-throw line, he couldn’t manage to help defend against Hansen’s cut.
Only Gibson from the Bulls managed to compress towards the basket.
But Hansen jumped against him, performed an aerial sideswipe layup, and sent the ball steadily into the hoop.
The crowd erupted into cheers once again.
Hansen’s consistent scoring made it impossible for the crowd’s emotions not to be driven up.
The Cavaliers’ morale was also rising.
When Irving and Howard attempted another screen, Jokic quickly retreated into the paint.
Howard, after catching the ball, was disrupted by Jokic and couldn’t complete the alley-oop, needing to land, lower his center of gravity, preparing to push Jokic away like before.
But at the moment he lowered the ball, he suddenly felt the ball lighten in his hand.
It turned out Hansen had left Irving unattended and rushed in! Fınd the newest release on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⁂𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⁂𝘯𝘦𝘵
Howard was too focused on overpowering Jokic to notice anything else.
Hansen completely stole the ball and launched a coast-to-coast fast break.
Irving attempted to swipe for the ball but was outmaneuvered by Hansen’s behind-the-back dribble.
Seferosa quickly came over to defend but was shoved aside by Hansen as he moved forward.
Upon reaching the free-throw line in the front court, Hansen made a hop step with the ball and, against Seferosa, rose up.
Seferosa fiercely tried to block in the air but was directly knocked out past the baseline.
Hansen slammed the ball into the hoop over Seferosa, and the referee’s whistle blew immediately.
As Hansen stepped onto the free-throw line, a familiar and long-missed chant echoed in the arena.
The photographers in the venue maximized their cinematography language, focusing directly on Irving.
Irving previously said his contribution in helping the Cavaliers win the championship was a misconception, as he didn’t realize who the true big daddy was.