Chapter 358: The Zone.
With Jokić suspended, the Cavaliers couldn't hold down their second home game.
Despite Han Sen dropping 36 points through three quarters, the Cavs trailed the Warriors by double digits heading into the fourth.
Steve Kerr smelled blood, rolling out the Splash Brothers early in the fourth to force Han back onto the floor.
But with five minutes left and the Cavs still down by double digits, Malone made a surprising move—he pulled Han from the game.
Fans weren't happy.
It looked like he was waving the white flag.
Postgame, Malone addressed it in the press conference:
"Burning Han's energy in a game we couldn't win made no sense. We've got a war to fight."
His logic was sound. Some fans accepted it.
But others? Not so much.
To them, if there's even a sliver of hope, you fight to the last second.