Oracle Arena.
TNT Studio.
O’Neal said, "No one expected the Nuggets to take down the Warriors at their ho court. Even against the Warriors, Zeng Xingyang continues to showcase his strong offensive and defensive abilities."
Although O’Neal is optimistic about the Warriors advancing, he has to admit that the Nuggets played better in the last ga.
Barkley said, "The Warriors were a bit careless in the last ga, let’s see if they can play to their strengths tonight."
Smith said, "No matter the outco of this series, the Nuggets might make so trades in the sumr. Quite a few superstars have privately expressed they are not opposed to joining the Nuggets."
Barkley said, "The Nuggets need ti to let Zeng and Nikola grow. They don’t need another superstar."
At this mont.
Cole had finished the tactical arrangents in the locker room and shouted, "Go out there and defend our ho court. Don’t leave with a 0-2 deficit."
"Crush them!"
"Victory!"
"Victory!"
Everyone on the Warriors was shouting.
G1 indeed woke a lot of people up, and even Green stopped boasting to the outside world.
The whole team was focused together in pursuit of revenge tonight.
On the Nuggets’ side, they didn’t make too many preparations. Winning the G1 was already considered a completed task for them.
To take G2, they’d really have to see the state of the entire team tonight.
The G2 ga quickly kicked off, and the Warriors imdiately deployed a small-ball lineup, sending Bogut to the bench.
After the ga started, the Warriors’ pace was faster than in G1, with frequent ball movent, inner cuts, and finding opportunities for threes.
Curry and Thompson started strong with their shots.
Jokic had a good start, scoring consecutively in the post, but Zeng Xingyang was double-tead.
Barnes and Iguodala both went on to deal with Zeng Xingyang.
Zeng Xingyang continuously passed the ball out, but his teammates’ scoring efficiency dropped.
Zeng Xingyang’s individual offense was severely limited, and the Warriors were determined not to give him an opening.
Apart from Curry and Thompson’s opened threes, Barnes and Iguodala frequently cut inside to score.
The Nuggets’ spirits seed to be crushed.
With 6 minutes and 13 seconds left in the second quarter, the score was 27-41, and the Warriors had a 14-point lead.
They finally made their lineup rotation, with Livingston, Thompson, Barnes, Iguodala, and Bogut on the court.
On the Nuggets’ side, Jokic and Zeng Xingyang led, with Nelson, Galinarli, and Faried joining in.
Mike Malone also used a lot of rotations today to counter the Warriors’ attack.
Barkley said, "The Warriors have changed their offensive and defensive rhythm today, applying pressure from the start, making it tough for the Nuggets. Stephen Curry is performing excellently, his outside shooting opened up space, giving the Warriors’ wings many opportunities to cut inside."
Smith said, "Cole proactively made substitutions, let’s see if the Nuggets have a chance."
On court, Zeng Xingyang was chewing on his mouthguard, thinking Cole’s overconfidence was their opportunity.
Many outside think Cole is an amazing tactician, but Zeng Xingyang doesn’t see it that way, finding him more of a show-off.
He creates problems for the team when the situation is favorable.
For example, now, he subbed out the red-hot Curry during non-rotation ti.
This greatly reduced the pressure on Zeng Xingyang defensively.
Nuggets’ offense.
Nelson dribbled to the frontcourt.
Zeng Xingyang moved off the ball.
This ti, Zeng Xingyang didn’t choose to catch the ball outside, since he would be double-tead as soon as he got it.
Zeng Xingyang moved to the low post.
Nelson passed the ball to Jokic.
Jokic passed it to Faried, and Faried quickly passed it to Zeng Xingyang in place.
Zeng Xingyang backed against Thompson, quickly initiating the offense to avoid the double team.
Side impact.
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
Zeng Xingyang continuously impacted Thompson.
Thompson retreated step by step, Zeng Xingyang used this force to complete a smooth turn.
Thompson was left behind, Iguodala ca to help defend under the basket.
Zeng Xingyang faked the ball, causing Iguodala and Thompson to jump together.
Zeng Xingyang anticipated their defensive move, chose an up-and-under, and skillfully laid the ball in.
to 41
"F*ck!!"
Iguodala angrily slamd the ball. The referee didn’t notice and didn’t call a technical foul.
Thompson defended very hard on this play, but Zeng Xingyang had the physical advantage and chose to change his offensive rhythm.
Such one-on-one attacks are difficult to limit him.
Warriors’ offense.
Livingston dribbled forward.
The once highly talented Livingston had beco steady due to massive injuries.
Livingston passed the ball to Iguodala.
Iguodala passed it to Thompson, who was in the post.
Thompson backed against Zeng Xingyang, wanting to respond to him.
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
Thompson backed Zeng Xingyang, and after continuous impacts, chose to force a fadeaway.
Thompson didn’t have as much power as Zeng Xingyang and couldn’t fully push through.
Hence.
"Pak!"
Zeng Xingyang rcilessly blocked Thompson’s shot.
"Besides shooting threes, you can’t do anything else." Zeng Xingyang shouted at Thompson.
Thompson’s face instantly dropped.
But he wasn’t the type to respond to trash talk, so he didn’t exchange words with Zeng Xingyang.
"Great block."
"Amazing, this kind of one-on-one block is impressive."
"Thompson can’t single out Zeng Xingyang."
"Incredible, this offensive and defensive duel."
"Thompson wanted to respond, but he couldn’t."
The fans were discussing fervently.
The ball fell and was controlled by Galinarli.
Galinarli passed it to Nelson.
Nelson dribbled to the frontcourt.
Zeng Xingyang quickly moved in the frontcourt, Jokic ca up to set a screen for Zeng Xingyang.
Soon, Zeng Xingyang found an opportunity on the right side, and Nelson passed the ball over.
Zeng Xingyang received the ball and made a fake move.
Thompson, keeping up, didn’t get faked out and instead closed in on Zeng Xingyang.
Thompson got too close, Zeng Xingyang drove the ball left and accelerated away.
Zeng Xingyang reached the free throw line, did a behind-the-back crossover, and stopped for a shot.
Thompson’s rhythm was offset, he couldn’t keep up.
The basketball arced beautifully.
"Swish!"
A shot to the heart!!!
to 41.
In the next possession, Thompson missed a top-three attempt.
The rebound was grabbed by Jokic.
Jokic sent a long pass, Zeng Xingyang caught the ball a ter outside the right three-point line and shot decisively.
The basketball curved beautifully.
"Swish!"
A shot to the heart!!
to 41.
"Tiout!!"
Cole decisively called a tiout, as it seed the Nuggets were on the verge of a coback.
The Nuggets’ offense looked too fierce.
"Oh yeah!!"
Jokic ca over to high-five Zeng Xingyang, their cooperation remained seamless.
The crowd’s montum quieted down completely.
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