"This isn't the end of the world; we'll adjust our form for the next game. I've been through this before."

At the post-game press conference, Nowitzki, as the team's leader, appeared calm.

But after the press conference, away from the media spotlight, his face was solemn.

Having played in so many playoff games over the years, he obviously knew that the team's current situation was very dangerous.

If they couldn't solve the problem of defending Tang Tian, it would be really difficult for them to win.

"We'll find a solution."

Butler saw Nowitzki's solemn expression and spoke to comfort him.

Nowitzki glanced at Butler and nodded with a smile.

Butler's personality was sometimes a bit strong, but he was the teammate he got along with the best among the new additions.

The Mavericks' locker room was a bit somber; losing was never easy.

"Zaza, why don't you try to find a way to get Tang…"

Justin Anderson started to say to Pachulia. He only said half of what he meant, but everyone could guess the other half.

Since they couldn't defend him, and they wanted to win, they could only resort to some off-court tactics.

Even if it meant trading blows, it would be a huge gain for the Mavericks.

Pachulia smiled and didn't say anything after hearing that.

Although he still had some lingering trauma in his heart, it had been a few months since he was hit.

Time always heals, and people tend to forget unpleasant experiences.

If the team really wanted him to do that kind of thing, he was willing to take the risk and try.

After all, his target wasn't Tang Tian before. If it were Tang Tian now, it would be a way to avenge the punch he'd taken, killing two birds with one stone.

"Stop with those dirty tactics. Whoever dares to try it, I'm going to make them regret it!"

Butler and Nowitzki happened to return to the locker room at this moment. After hearing Anderson and Pachulia's conversation, Butler immediately yelled loudly.

Tang Tian was his brother and role model. Anyone who dared to touch him, he would fight to the end! Even if it was his teammate!

"Ahem, I was just saying it casually."

Anderson said somewhat awkwardly.

Although it was Butler's first year on the team, his strong personality made people afraid to provoke him.

Besides, he only said it when Butler wasn't around. Everyone knew that Butler and Tang Tian had a close relationship.

"Zaza, I'm warning you, don't try to do anything to Tang, or don't blame me for being impolite."

Butler was really overbearing, warning Pachulia directly in front of everyone else.

Pachulia's face turned cold. He wasn't a rookie like Anderson. Butler's actions showed him no respect at all; it was too much.

Besides, Tang Tian was their opponent now!

"If you're so protective of Tang, why don't you go to the Pelicans?"

Pachulia sneered.

"You!"

Butler was about to make a move.

"Jimmy, calm down."

Nowitzki reached out and grabbed Butler.

"Zaza, don't say things like that again. Jimmy is the hardest-working and most eager to win on the team."

After Nowitzki held Butler back, he said to Pachulia.

Nowitzki was the Mavericks' leader. With him speaking, both Butler and Pachulia gave him face and stopped talking.

"Guys, I know everyone is unhappy about losing the game, but the series has just begun. We still have many opportunities. Believe in each other, and work hard to win the next game. That's what we should be doing."

Nowitzki then said some encouraging words.

The team members nodded one after another.

No matter how this team changed, Nowitzki was always the soul of the team.

"The Mavericks played very well. Jimmy's defense is the best I've ever encountered. I believe they will perform better and better in the games to come."

Tang Tian didn't know what happened in the Mavericks' locker room, but at the post-game press conference, he praised his opponents.

And it was indeed the truth.

Lack of a point guard, insufficient defense, these were all the Mavericks' weaknesses, but the Mavericks also had their advantages, with many scoring options on the offensive end.

Defense wins championships, but it's the team with the most points that wins the game.

However, the reporters in the audience laughed, taking it as Tang Tian's jinx.

That night, the results of the other first-round games were also released one after another.

The Cavaliers defeated the Nets 120-90.

LeBron James had 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists in three quarters, Kyrie Irving had 21 points and 5 assists, and Kevin Love had 20 points and 7 rebounds.

Under Tyronn Lue's leadership, the Big Three's offensive talent was further developed.

The Heat narrowly beat the Hawks 113-105.

Whiteside performed well, contributing 20 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals, while Wade had a game-high 27 points.

Five players on the Hawks scored in double figures, but no one scored more than 20. Their everyman basketball style seemed to be coming to an end.

The Spurs lost to the Thunder 91-95.

Durant had a game-high 32 points, while Westbrook also had a near triple-double performance of 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists.

The two teams were evenly matched throughout the game, and the game was deadlocked until the final minute, when Durant showed his killer instincts at the last moment, scoring 7 consecutive points to seal the game.

The happiest person after the first day of the playoffs was O'Neal.

The Pelicans easily defeated the Mavericks, and the Thunder upset the Spurs.

These two results were exactly as he had predicted.

He could show off in front of his two partners.

The second game of the series was two days later.

After the first day of training, Stevens privately chatted with Tang Tian, discussing the tactical issues for the rest of the series.

It was his first time coaching a team with a superstar, and the first game gave him a lot of inspiration. He would increase Tang Tian's ball-handling percentage throughout the playoffs.

Tang Tian didn't have much of an opinion on this, and the two also discussed the topic of letting Jokic lead the team during the bench rotation.

Tactics number 2 was the most used by the Pelicans this season, which could maximize the strength of the Pelicans' bench.

"These are all details. I think the most important thing we need to pay attention to later is the Mavericks' offense."

Tang Tian took the initiative to bring up this issue, which was something he had thought about at the post-game press conference.

Stevens listened to him, and this reminder was indeed very timely.

During the afternoon training session and the next day's training session, Stevens focused on defensive training.

The Mavericks had many scoring options, but the Pelicans were strong in both individual and systematic defense.

This was equivalent to a game between two forces, seeing who could break through the other's critical point.

On the day of the game, the league announced the earliest batch of awards for the season.

Jokic was a candidate for the Most Improved Player award, but in the final vote, he narrowly lost to the Trail Blazers' C.J. McCollum with a 5% vote share.

But he didn't lose unfairly. McCollum scored a full 16 points more than last season, not to mention the improvements in rebounds and assists.

This could beat everyone in any election, and Jokic only lost by 5% of the votes, which was already a success.

The Pelicans missed out on the Most Improved Player award, but they got another, more significant award.