"He has a strong desire to play, and I will control his playing time. As long as he can play, it will be a great boost to the team's morale."

Stevens shared his thoughts.

He couldn't say some things, but what he did say was reasonable and well-founded.

"I know you want to drag the series out, but none of that is worth Nikola's injury. We have to be responsible for him."

"Brad, he's just a kid."

Tang Tian's words surprised Stevens.

It didn't sound like something a 25-year-old would say.

But Stevens nodded after a long silence.

Jokic was only 21 years old, just a kid like Tang Tian said, full of enthusiasm.

But he was an adult, and he had to be responsible for the player's future.

Seeing Stevens' actions, Tang Tian breathed a sigh of relief.

He couldn't know if Jokic would insist on playing, or if he would rupture his Achilles tendon like Durant.

But if that happened, everyone who supported him playing would blame themselves for the rest of their lives.

Stevens went to Jokic privately.

Despite Jokic's repeated insistence, Stevens decided not to let him play.

After talking with Jokic, he went to see Harrell.

Jokic was his Plan A, and Harrell was Plan B.

Now that Plan A was abandoned, he would naturally use Plan B.

At practice the next day, Stevens re-announced the starting lineup.

Although they had been given a heads-up the day before, Harrell was still quite excited when he heard that he would be starting the next night.

This second-year player didn't get many opportunities, but he really maintained his energy at all times.

"Nikola can't play, and Tang is injured. I know our situation is very unfavorable right now, but I believe in you, everyone. We didn't win the championship last year by relying on one or two people, we are a team, believe in each other, and we can win tomorrow night's game."

Stevens also gave a pep talk after announcing the starting lineup.

He was a typical refined coach, and his pep talks were always sweet.

Davis' eyes were full of fire.

Stevens had spoken to him privately the previous game, hoping he could step up.

He did well when he came on, but just okay, he needed to become stronger.

After practice, the players left the arena one after another.

Only Davis was left in the arena, practicing his shooting.

His training clothes were soaked with sweat again and again, but his spirit became more and more excited.

He could definitely do it tomorrow!

The next night, the Finals between the Pelicans and the Cavaliers continued at the New Orleans Arena.

The Pelicans were at a disadvantage after losing the first game, but the fans were still incredibly excited.

They believed in this team, and they had always been full of confidence in this team since Tang Tian arrived!

"If Tang can't find his touch, it will still be difficult for them to win tonight. Only Tang has the ability to change the game for this Pelicans team."

Miller also analyzed on the commentary stand before the game.

"Tang is the number one player in the league, he can't be cold forever."

Breen took over the conversation.

Because the Pelicans hadn't announced whether Tang Tian was injured, they couldn't talk nonsense in their commentary, but Tang Tian was Tang Tian after all.

After the opening ceremony, the starters from both sides took the stage one after another.

The Cavaliers used the same starting lineup as the previous game;

On the Pelicans' side, other than Harrell replacing Diallo as the starter, the other positions remained unchanged.

Amid the cheers of the fans, Davis outjumped Whiteside, kicking off Game 2 of the Finals.

The Pelicans gave the first attack to Tang Tian.

Tang Tian called for Harrell to pick and roll, mismatching against Love, and a sudden stop jump shot before the help defense came.

He had played like this in the last game, but affected by his shoulder injury, most of his shots failed to hit.

"Swish!"

But this time, his first shot of the game went in cleanly!

As time went on, his shoulder injury gradually began to recover!

Lue panicked when he saw this scene, this was the thing he least wanted to see.

But fortunately, Tang Tian's shoulder injury hadn't fully recovered.

The Cavaliers failed to score on an offensive possession, and when they turned around, Tang Tian's sudden stop jump shot bounced off the front of the rim.

No matter what kind of shot, the basic steps of shooting are the same.

Aim, bend your knees, raise your shoulder, flick your wrist, shoot.

Pull-up jumpers are a fast-paced jump shot, but the shoulder exertion is also very important.

So Tang Tian's shoulder injury, especially the shoulder injury of his shooting hand, really had a big impact.

Love boxed out Davis, and Whiteside jumped up to grab the defensive rebound.

But at this moment, a figure suddenly sprang out from beside him, grabbing the offensive rebound before him.

Harrell!

After grabbing the rebound, he quickly passed it to Davis.

Davis caught the ball, turned around, and banked it in, the movements were done in one go.

4 to 0!

Like the first game, the Pelicans still took the lead at the start.

"Pay attention to the rebounds!"

Cavaliers' lead assistant coach Drew shouted at Whiteside from the sidelines.

The team's new recruit this year really has the strength, but his brain isn't good either.

Whiteside ignored Drew, he just turned his head and glanced at Harrell. He had underestimated this guy who came out of nowhere.

In the Cavaliers' offense, James and Whiteside played a pick and roll, and after James broke into the paint, he passed the ball back to Whiteside.

Whiteside took the ball, dribbled, squeezed past Ariza, and then directly dunked the ball into the basket with both hands over the belated Harrell.

After dunking, he made the signature "strong" sign with both hands, smiling and looking at Harrell.

Compared to him, Harrell was too tender!

"Montrezl, pay attention to protecting the rim."

Compared to Drew on the opposite side, Stevens was much gentler, he just reminded Harrell.

Harrell was just a bench player, and his shortcomings were also obvious. He lacked experience, and was too short for a center, but Stevens accepted all of this when he used him.

Everyone has advantages and disadvantages, and players are also people.

That previous offensive rebound was already worth putting him in the starting lineup.

Harrell nodded vigorously in response, he felt a full sense of trust from Stevens' words.

In the Pelicans' offensive possession, Tang Tian and Harrell picked and rolled, then Tang Tian broke through the inside.

James' help defense came quickly, and his shoulder ached after the collision, and the shot bounced off the rim.

Just as James quickly jumped up a second time, preparing to grab the defensive rebound, a figure descended from the sky.

Harrell!

He was short, but he jumped high!

Before James could react.

"Boom!"

Like a beast released from its cage, he waved his claws and directly dunked the ball over James into the basket!

The fans in the audience were stunned.

Harrell, he... dunked on James?!

Tang Tian was shocked.

He knew Harrell was fierce, but this was a bit too fierce!

This was the Azure Wild Beast!