Ti-out over.
The atmosphere in the Toyota Center was so tense it felt like it could ignite the air, as the Rockets initiated their attack.
Harden dribbled to the right side, while Dejounte Murray stuck to him like a shadow, focusing intently on Harden’s every move.
Harden’s hands quickly crossed as he dribbled, the sound "Bang! Bang!" rhythmically declared a challenge to Murray.
After a series of dazzling crossovers, Harden suddenly powered off his right foot, stepping to the side like lightning, followed by a swift step-back, creating a sliver of space.
His movent was smooth and seamless, leaving Murray no ti to react, and then he quickly jumped for the shot.
The shot was incredibly tough; despite not completely shaking off for space, Harden confidently made the shot due to his outstanding sense of rhythm.
Murray also jumped to defend with all his might, trying his best to interfere with Harden’s shot.
However, with a dull "bang," the less experienced Murray, overly aggressive in his leap, crashed directly into Harden post-shot.
The referee’s whistle imdiately sounded, "Beep beep!"
At the sa ti, the basketball swished through the net, "Swish!"
Basket made, whistle blown, a three-point play!!
The arena was instantly ignited, cheers bood like a surging tide.
Rockets fans jumped to their feet, waving rally props, so fans shouting Harden’s na with flushed faces.
Murray held his head in his hands, his face full of panic, showing his regret.
In such a critical mont, Harden nailed an incredibly crucial three-point play.
Barkley jumped up from the comntator’s seat, waving his arms and shouting, "Jas Harden shows his big-ga ability! Look at this play, he nailed a three right in front of rookie Dejounte Murray and drew a foul. The Nuggets’ rookie paid dearly for his recklessness!"
Smith nodded in agreent nearby, "Dejounte Murray’s defense was too aggressive; this kind of overzealousness gave Jas Harden the opportunity to draw the foul. I have to say, Jas Harden seized the opportunity brilliantly, amazing!"
On the court, Dejounte Murray stood stunned, full of self-bla.
Zeng Xingyang quickly ran over, patting Dejounte Murray’s shoulder to comfort him, "Defend like this next ti, don’t fear. It’s just a small mistake, we still have chances."
Feeling Zeng Xingyang’s reassurance, which seed not to bla him, Dejounte Murray nodded firmly, his eyes reigniting with fighting spirit, "Right, I know, what should we do next?"
"Give the ball." Zeng Xingyang spoke calmly, his eyes full of firm confidence.
The Zeng Xingyang now was no longer the Zeng Xingyang of last season; he had experienced far more difficult situations than this, making this scene seem like a walk in the park for him.
With Harden’s free throw made, the score reached 120 to 124.
During the free throw, Nuggets’ coach Mike Malone decisively made an adjustnt, substituting Jokic, who had 5 fouls, back onto the court, replacing Zubac.
The Nuggets’ attack began.
Zeng Xingyang received the inbound pass from Siakam, dribbling steadily across the half-court, each step appearing determined.
After reaching the frontcourt, Zeng Xingyang made a clear tactical gesture, passing the ball to Jokic to organize the offense.
Harden quickly closed in to defend Zeng Xingyang, sticking to him like a piece of gum, not giving Zeng Xingyang any breathing room.
Zeng Xingyang moved to the right side, and Jokic signaled teammates to spread out to give space for Zeng Xingyang.
Holding the ball for a mont, Jokic observed the space closely, and after one dribble, he accurately passed the ball to Zeng Xingyang.
Zeng Xingyang caught the ball without hesitation, quickly starting a crossover dribble.
With a "bang! bang!" as he dribbled, he floated his left hand and quickly dribbled to the right, successfully attracting defensive attention, then stepped back with a backward step and pullback.
Harden barely managed to match Zeng Xingyang’s pace, but he dared not close in too aggressively, deeply afraid of making the sa mistake as Dejounte Murray.
This greatly reduced the interference on Zeng Xingyang.
The basketball traced a beautiful rainbow arc in the air, all eyes tightly following the ball.
"Swish!"
A bullseye shot!!
to 124.
The once jubilant Toyota Center suddenly fell silent, leaving only a few scattered murmurs.
Dejounte Murray looked at Zeng Xingyang, his eyes filled with admiration.
That shot was so domineering. Fans all over the world knew what Zeng Xingyang would do, but they just couldn’t stop it.
Fans watching the live broadcast back ho were so excited their faces turned red; many clenched their fists to release their emotions.
"Well done!"
"What a cool shot!"
The Nuggets’ bench players were howling in excitent.
Harden looked at Zeng Xingyang, a hint of helplessness in his eyes, shaking his head. His defense was already very hard-worked, but he just couldn’t interfere significantly with Zeng Xingyang.
Zeng Xingyang spread out his arms wide, basking in the joy of the mont.
The Rockets’ offense continued.
Harden took the ball forward, with McHale on the sideline shouting, "Jas, stabilize the situation, we have the lead, don’t rush it!"
Harden was now the most reliable ball handler for the Rockets.
Howard stood near the midline, hands covering his crotch, eyes vigilantly observing the court situation.
Zeng Xingyang sharply assessed the situation, shouted, "Double-team!"
Dejounte Murray didn’t hesitate, moving with Zeng Xingyang to pressure Harden.
At the half-court sideline, they successfully forced Harden to stop.
Harden passed the ball to Ariza in the middle road.
Ariza got the ball and was left open at the free-throw line.
It was a huge open space, Ariza adjusted his breath, slightly bent his knees, and jumped for a mid-range shot.
"Brick!" Due to the design of the morey-ball tactic, he hadn’t taken a mid-range shot in a long ti, thus unfamiliar with it.
The basketball bounced high off the rim, Jokic judged its landing spot, was about to grab the rebound, but Harrell sprang out from the other side like a spring.
Harrell grabbed the basketball with both hands, completing a put-back dunk.
"Slam!"
to 126.
Zhang Weiping sighed, "Siakam didn’t get a body on anyone, which gave Harrell a chance to grab the rebound."
Yu Jia said, "Siakam is not a pure inside player, that kind of boxing-out consciousness isn’t as good as Harrell’s. He suffered in the rebound battle."
On the court, Siakam raised his hand, indicating it was his fault.
Jokic did not bla Siakam either, he just ran forward with his head down.
Harrell yelled towards the cara, continuously venting his emotions, determined to prove himself.
The Toyota Center’s Rockets fans found their confidence again, cheering wildly, with wave after wave of noise.
Barkley said, "The Nuggets had a small defensive problem; their rookies are still a bit raw, and their awareness on rebounding needs improvent."
Smith said, "They need ti to grow, let’s see how Zeng Xingyang handles the next play; I believe he can lead the team to respond."
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