Before the start of this series, no one could have imagined this scenario unfolding. The Nuggets actually overturned the Warriors, the league’s top team, in the playoffs on their ho court.
"26 shots, 17 made, including 10 out of 15 from three-point range, 10 out of 11 free throws, totaling 54 points, 14 assists, 5 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 blocks, and 3 turnovers. Zeng Xingyang once again hit over 50 in a playoff ga, showcasing his absolute dominance on the court." Barkley excitedly reported the stats, his voice full of amazent.
"Zeng Xingyang’s performance on the court seed aggressive, especially every key mont attack, which greatly helped the Nuggets." Smith added beside him.
On the court.
Zeng Xingyang gazed at the scarlet score on the electronic scoreboard piercing into his retina, with the silence of the audience contrasting sharply with the clamor from the Nuggets’ bench.
The Warriors fans who used to look down on the Nuggets all grew silent and quiet, while the Nuggets’ bench was a scene of jubilation, with players high-fiving, hugging, and cheering each other.
"Finally won." Zeng Xingyang exhaled deeply, showing a tired yet gratified smile.
"Yeah, it was so tough." Jokic also ca over to high-five and hug Zeng Xingyang. Both had played nearly 47 minutes tonight, almost the entire ga, and this victory was hard-earned.
However, Jokic still appeared vibrant, showing no signs of fatigue.
After celebrating with his teammates, Zeng Xingyang went to the sidelines to gesture towards the Nuggets fans who had traveled from afar.
The Nuggets now have a group of die-hard fans who follow the team to away gas to fight together, and these fans excitedly waved their Nuggets flags, loudly calling Zeng Xingyang’s na.
"MVP!"
"MVP!"
The "MVP" chant gradually echoed around the venue, and tonight Zeng Xingyang’s performance truly deserved it.
Through tonight’s ga, the die-hard Nuggets fans are increasingly convinced that the team led by Zeng Xingyang has the deanor of a champion contender, with Jokic being Zeng Xingyang’s best helper. As long as the managent doesn’t make foolish decisions, they will be championship favorites for years to co.
Throughout the ga, Zeng Xingyang maintained consistent output almost every quarter, quietly racking up over 50 points.
Zeng Xingyang never cared about how many personal points he had; he only focused on finding ways to win.
Post-ga statistics.
On the Nuggets side, aside from Zeng Xingyang, Jokic also recorded 30 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists. His inside-outside coordination with Zeng Xingyang was the key factor for the Nuggets’ victory. Jokic is now increasingly recognized, with the dia dubbing him and Zeng Xingyang as the Nuggets’ dual core.
Pope recorded 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals; Harris recorded 8 points and 3 rebounds; Grant recorded 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks; Galinarli had 4 points. The Nuggets implented a super short rotation today, leaving many players who were heavily used in previous gas out of this one.
On the Warriors side.
Curry had 38 points, 8 assists, and 4 rebounds; Thompson with 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists; Iguodala with 8 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists; Green with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists; Barnes scored 18 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.
Scoring on the Warriors side was relatively balanced, with Curry mainly exploding in the second half, and Thompson maintaining a consistent performance throughout.
CCTV broadcast studio.
Zhang Weiping said, "The Warriors obviously weren’t fully prepared tonight. Curry was targeted by Xingyang in the first half. Although Curry’s overall stats are decent, his impact on the team wasn’t sustained throughout the ga." He seriously analyzed, quickly jotting notes on his pad.
Yu Jia said, "Aside from maintaining pressure on the Warriors on the offensive end, Xingyang played a significant role on defense, taking on the primary task of guarding Curry, along with various assists in defense."
Both comntators acknowledged Zeng Xingyang’s all-around performance.
Zhang Weiping said, "Holding the Warriors’ scores to 115 points is already considered a defensive success."
Yu Jia said, "Securing an away ga victory can be considered successful for the Nuggets."
......
Post-ga interview.
Cole told reporters, "Our preparation wasn’t as thorough as our opponent’s. They know us very well, while our understanding of them remained stuck in the regular season phase. We paid the price for our negligence." Cole’s face showed a hint of regret.
Cole couldn’t have imagined the Nuggets being even more fierce in the playoffs than in the regular season. Not only the Warriors players but even the Warriors coaching staff were careless.
Reporter asked, "How do you evaluate Zeng Xingyang’s performance tonight?"
Cole said, "Zeng is the best rookie I’ve ever seen. His performance on the court shocked us; however, he’s not the most difficult player to deal with on the Nuggets. We are more wary of Nikola, who is extrely comprehensive and can lead the team’s rhythm. You have underestimated him." A trace of complex emotion flashed through his eyes.
Reporter asked, "Are you saying Nikola Jokic should also be a core player on the Nuggets?"
Cole said, "Of course, he is the engine of the Nuggets."
The playoffs are not just about what happens on the court. There is also a battle off the court. Cole knows very well that Zeng Xingyang is the best player of the Nuggets, but he deliberately refuses to acknowledge it and instead praises Jokic.
Ideally, he wants there to be a rift between Zeng Xingyang and Jokic, reducing their passing on the court, which would be even better.
Next to him, Curry doesn’t have such complicated thoughts. He was asked about his assessnt of Zeng Xingyang’s performance in this ga.
Curry said, "Zeng caused us a huge problem offensively. We weren’t prepared to defend him effectively. We will make changes in the next ga. I take the main responsibility for tonight’s defeat. I’ll make changes in the next ga." Curry spoke sincerely, his eyes revealing a firm determination. He did not shirk responsibility; he was targeted on defense and underperford in the first half, which was one of the reasons the Warriors lost their first ho ga.
Iguodala, standing next to him, said, "We were too careless, and it cost us. They showed us that even though they are a younger team, they are not to be underestimated."
On the other side.
The Nuggets interview.
Mike Malone said, "I’m proud of my players. They gave everything on the court and fought hard to beat the league’s top team on the road. Every one of them was doing their best to win." He was full of pride, his eyes brimming with praise for his players.
"In my view, Zeng’s performance was at an MVP level, he can lead us forward on the court."
"Nikola will beco the best center in the NBA."
"I feel sorry for them, making them play for so long without giving them a bit of rest, which is my issue in the arrangent." Mike Malone used Zeng Xingyang and Jokic intensively today. Although it caused so dissatisfaction among the Nuggets fans and Denver dia, these complaints were not that nurous. After all, with heavy use of Zeng Xingyang and Jokic, they successfully secured victory. Beating the Warriors on the road was never going to be easy, was it?
The reporter asked Zeng Xingyang about his views on extended playing ti.
Zeng Xingyang said, "I don’t think any player would mind more playing ti. For soone who loves basketball, they would love to play a full 48 minutes. In this world, there are many jobs that are much tougher than mine. What I need to do is just play a few more minutes on the court, that’s not an issue at all." He said calmly, his eyes revealing his love for basketball.
Jokic nodded in agreent, "Zeng is right."
Neither of them had any complaints about such heavy use. Mike Malone wasn’t making them do this for all 82 gas, every ga 48 minutes. For a must-win playoff ga, so what if the playing ti is a bit more?
The reporter then asked, "What does it feel like to defeat the Warriors on their ho court?"
Zeng Xingyang said, "It feels really great. I know many people thought we were not a threat before the ga, but we were determined to beat them, and now we’ve done it. I don’t think anyone will underestimate us anymore, right?"
After winning, Zeng Xingyang was very excited, with his triumphant emotions clearly displayed.
Before this series started, many predicted the Warriors wouldn’t have much trouble handling the Nuggets.
But judging from tonight, it is very difficult for the Warriors to overco the Nuggets.
With Zeng Xingyang and Jokic leading, the Nuggets are tough contenders, hitting the Warriors where it hurts. If it weren’t for the Nuggets’ thin rotation, judging by the first ga alone, many would think the Nuggets are championship contenders.
...
After a brief interview, Zeng Xingyang took the team bus back to the hotel.
That night, the news of the Nuggets upsetting the Warriors on the road spread across sports forums worldwide.
"Zeng Xingyang scores another 50 super double-double, leads team to victory."
"Super rookie duo brings down the Warriors!"
"Upset! Nuggets suppress Warriors on the road, Death Lineup cracked!"
"Yang-Jokic duo, shocks the league again!"
"Incredible ga, two super rookies from the Nuggets, one with 50 10, another with 30 10!"
"Many NBA teams are watching this year’s NCAA, hoping for the next Jokic or Zeng Xingyang."
"Value of Chinese and European players skyrockets, NBA scouts head to Central Europe to explore."
"Limitless potential, youth storm, ignites the league."
Zeng Xingyang recorded a 50 double-double against the Warriors, while Jokic had a 30 double-double, both proving their strength. They dominated the ga with their full-court collaborations.
The most basic pick-and-roll tactic was played out in various ways tonight, and the Warriors’ proud small lineup was dismantled with ease.
After this ga, the dia dare not easily predict anymore that the Nuggets will be eliminated by the Warriors. After all, having won the first ga, who says they won’t win the second one?
Now the Nuggets are bringing significant shock to the outside world, their extrely young lineup looks full of possibilities.
Curry is great, the small lineup is great too, no doubt, but they have tasted failure against the Nuggets.
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