Jokic's organization saw Holiday miss a three-point attempt.

On the Thunder's side, Roberson was left open on the perimeter and made a three-pointer, helping the team break their scoring drought.

Back on the other end, Ariza's cut to the basket was disrupted by Grant's help defense, and he missed the layup.

After not using these tactics for a season, even with good adaptation, it's difficult to see immediate results at the playoff level.

Fortunately, the Pelicans' players were prepared. If they couldn't score, they quickly retreated to prevent the Thunder from launching a fast break.

The Thunder settled into a set offense. Westbrook drove into the paint, but after being forced to stop by Tang Tian, he passed the ball to Roberson.

Roberson glanced at Ariza, a meter away, and shot another three-pointer.

"Swish!"

It went in again!

Roberson had made two consecutive three-pointers!

This was a bit unexpected!

6 to 4!

The Thunder had failed to score on their first two possessions, but now they had taken the lead!

Donovan looked excited on the sidelines.

Practice!

I told you to practice, and you really treated the Thunder like pushovers!

Keep practicing!

Once something goes wrong from practicing, and the Thunder build momentum, you won't be able to change it!

The Pelicans advanced to the frontcourt, and Jokic continued to orchestrate from the free-throw line.

Donovan shouted from the sidelines, the Thunder half-collapsed to defend against the Pelicans' cuts, leaving the perimeter somewhat open except for Roberson guarding Tang Tian.

This was a very targeted defensive approach.

Grant's mobility had indeed greatly improved the Thunder's defense.

Jokic glanced at the situation, saw no opportunity, and passed the ball directly to Tang Tian, then moved to the high post to set a screen.

Although the new foul rules limited his impact, his EQ was high, and his mind reacted quickly.

Tang Tian took the screen, drove past Adams, and pulled up for a contested jump shot, which he made.

6 to 6. This basket helped the Pelicans tie the score.

Donovan on the sidelines was so angry he almost slapped his thigh.

What about basic trust between people?

We agreed to practice tactics, but why is Tang Tian taking over again?!

Back on defense, Ariza focused on guarding Roberson. Westbrook's strong drive had nowhere to pass, and his contested pull-up jumper was disrupted by Tang Tian and missed.

Adams was boxed out tightly by Jokic, and Tang Tian grabbed the defensive rebound.

Holiday dribbled to half court and turned to pass the ball to Tang Tian.

Seeing Tang Tian holding the ball continuously, Donovan thought the Pelicans were switching back to their season-long style, but the next second, Tang Tian made a tactical gesture and passed the ball inside.

The ball reached Davis, with space cleared on the baseline and at the forty-five-degree angle. This was another low-post isolation play!

The Pelicans were still practicing tactics!

But they had changed the approach!

Donovan's eyes were bloodshot with anger.

This was the playoffs, not a practice scrimmage!

But ironically, Grant couldn't defend Davis.

Davis turned and made a bank shot layup, putting the Pelicans ahead.

Grant's defense was good, but Davis overwhelmed him in every aspect—height, weight, wingspan, and experience. He tried his best but still couldn't stop the shot.

Westbrook's strong drive against Tang Tian in the frontcourt still failed.

Durant had psychological issues guarding Tang Tian, which affected his performance, but Westbrook was genuinely countered.

What he was best at was also what Tang Tian excelled at, which was truly unfair.

Back on the other end, Davis continued to post up and back down.

Oladipo collapsed to help, and Davis passed the ball to Holiday.

Roberson, guarding Tang Tian at the top of the arc, didn't dare switch. Westbrook on the weak side was too late to switch, and Holiday received an open shot opportunity at the right forty-five-degree angle.

"Swish!"

This time he seized the opportunity, making the shot cleanly.

11 to 6.

The Pelicans extended their lead to 5 points.

Donovan wasn't just seeing red now; he was also breathing heavily.

The Thunder weren't an experience pack!

They weren't there for you to level up!

But it seemed the Pelicans were really treating them like an experience pack.

First, Jokic high-post offense, now Davis low-post isolation. Who knew what tactics the Pelicans would practice next!

Oladipo missed a three-pointer from the perimeter, but Adams grabbed the offensive rebound and assisted Grant for a second-chance score.

8 to 11.

Donovan looked up at the score and adjusted his breathing.

The point differential wasn't that large, and the Pelicans' constant switching of offensive tactics, lacking continuity, was actually beneficial for the Thunder overall.

Holiday dribbled to the frontcourt and continued to pass the ball to Davis in the low post.

This time, however, the Thunder were prepared, and Westbrook's help defense arrived quickly.

Davis passed the ball to Ariza, but with Westbrook recovering, Ariza had no open shot.

In terms of offensive efficiency, Tang Tian holding the ball for isolation was indeed the most efficient.

The ball ended up in Tang Tian's hands. Tang Tian, facing Roberson, pulled up for a three-pointer from beyond the arc.

"Swish!"

The three-pointer went through the net cleanly.

The emotions of the fans in the arena instantly surged.

Whenever the Pelicans' offense stalled, Tang Tian could immediately step up to score!

Donovan's face darkened.

This was a foul!

No, this guy was cheating!

They would run a tactic for a few possessions, and if it didn't work, they would just give the ball to Tang Tian.

They were relying on Tang Tian, acting recklessly and doing whatever they wanted!

Westbrook's contested pull-up jumper in the frontcourt still missed, and Adams's put-back also failed.

Donovan had never been a tactical coach. With Westbrook misfiring, the Thunder's scoring options were really limited.

Back on the other end, the Pelicans adjusted their tactics again. Tang Tian held the ball at the top of the arc, while Holiday and Ariza ran off-ball screens!

Donovan was stunned.

Damn it, just when he didn't want to be treated as an experience pack, the Pelicans slapped him to the ground, telling him: No, you do!

The Pelicans' continuous switching of tactics really tested the Thunder's defensive reactions.

This time, the reaction was a bit slow, and Holiday cut around to receive the ball and made another three-pointer!

He had made two three-pointers in the first quarter alone; his touch was excellent tonight!

17 to 8!

In the blink of an eye, the point differential had been extended to 9 points!

Donovan had retreated to the bench, completely demoralized.

They had been practicing, and in the process, they had widened the point differential!

And like certain sports, if one position wasn't enough, they would switch to another!

But fortunately, he didn't have to be demoralized for the entire game. By the third quarter, the Pelicans had already widened the point differential to 20 points.

In the final quarter, the Thunder were still unable to mount a comeback, and the game was decided.

In the end, the Pelicans easily defeated the Thunder at home by a score of 106 to 86, securing a winning start to the playoffs.

Six Pelicans players scored in double figures, with Davis scoring a team-high 23 points and 11 rebounds, Holiday with 17 points, and Jokic with 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Tang Tian coasted, making 8 of 14 shots for 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Westbrook made only 4 of 22 shots, scoring just 13 points with 11 rebounds and 5 assists.

The outcome of the game was not too surprising.

Although it was billed as a matchup between two triple-double kings, the gap in strength between the two teams was still evident.

However, what was unexpected was the process.

It wasn't just Donovan who understood basketball. Many knowledgeable fans in the audience watched the game with their mouths open and their eyes wide.

The Pelicans played as if they were in a practice scrimmage, running various tactics. If the offense flowed smoothly, they would score consecutive points. If it didn't, they would just give the ball to Tang Tian for an isolation play.

And just like that, while practicing, they had won the game...

As for the Thunder on the other side, they were subjected to various positions and ultimately couldn't resist, forced to enjoy the process...