CHAPTER 452: CHAPTER 364: BATTLING TO THE END!

Back to the bench.

Zeng Xingyang looked up while drinking water, panting heavily to rest.

In this game, the Nuggets have 3 players fouled out; they absolutely can’t lose, or it will be too frustrating.

"Zeng, how do you want to play next?" Mike Malone deliberately came over to ask Zeng Xingyang before the tactical layout.

Mike Malone did this as a precaution; respecting Zeng Xingyang’s ideas at crucial moments is necessary.

"Continue with unlimited switching, then just give me the ball on offense," Zeng Xingyang replied bluntly.

Mike Malone nodded after thinking for a while, then began to layout the tactics: "Zeng, pay attention to the time when you hold the ball to attack; if managed well, we’ll have two to three offensive plays. Try not to leave too much time for the opponent to handle the ball."

"On defense, we’ll adopt infinite switching. Nikola, if you get moved to the outside, rush their three-point shots, do your best not to let them take three-pointers."

Jokic nodded.

The entire Nuggets team listened to Mike Malone’s arrangements very cohesively.

"This game is really intense."

"Love watching such games; the Warriors aren’t as weak as imagined."

"In any previous season, both the Nuggets and the Warriors had championship-level strength, unfortunately, they encountered this season."

"The Nuggets are truly amazing; Zeng Xingyang and Curry are the league’s strongest three-point shooters."

"Let’s see if the Warriors have a chance to snatch this."

Fans outside the venue constantly discussed the game on the screen, expressing their views via comments.

On the Warriors’ side, Curry and Durant were also panting heavily.

The Warriors are already trailing 0 to 1; if they return to Golden State with a 0 to 2 deficit, they must win two home games without any mistakes.

It is obviously very difficult to achieve.

If they can win tonight, the passive side becomes the Nuggets.

Both teams know this game is crucial, but neither has the confidence to secure the win.

The timeout ends quickly, the game resumes.

Mike Malone gathered everyone together, extending his hand and shouting, "Guys, give it your all, take them down!!"

"Take them down!"

"Take them down!"

"Victory!"

"Victory!"

Along with the Nuggets players shouting, Nuggets fans stood up to watch the game.

Nuggets’ offense.

Zeng Xingyang dribbled to the frontcourt, then bounced the ball to Jokic.

Jokic helped Zeng Xingyang share many organizational tasks after entering the playoffs; he is a very reliable ball handler in the interior.

Jokic held the ball at the free-throw line, observing.

The Warriors let Iguodala guard Zeng Xingyang, Curry went to guard Pope, who didn’t have many offensive tasks.

Cole didn’t dare let Curry guard Butler because Butler could exploit Curry’s defensive mismatch.

Zeng Xingyang pushed Iguodala with both hands, pushing him away, then bounced outside the three-point line himself.

Jokic quickly passed the ball to Zeng Xingyang; Iguodala reacted quickly, followed up rapidly, but Zeng Xingyang just faked, not shooting immediately.

Zeng Xingyang gestured for teammates to spread out the space.

Iguodala is the Warriors’ best option to limit Zeng Xingyang individually; he matches Zeng Xingyang in height, weight, and flexibility.

On the other side, Butler was followed by Thompson; he’s hard to attack, and Gordon was guarded by Durant, so he had no chance.

Nuggets players quickly pulled to the right, sending the ball to Zeng Xingyang.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

Zeng Xingyang put down the ball and started changing direction.

Continuous left-right cross dribbling.

Pause on the right, slightly hovering, making Iguodala think Zeng Xingyang would break to the right, then Zeng Xingyang sharply changed direction to the left and dashed in.

Durant and Green raised their hands to interfere with Zeng Xingyang; it was a double-team.

In high speed, Zeng Xingyang split the ball to Jokic.

Jokic faked, didn’t finish, but took a step to pass again to the approaching Zeng Xingyang, naturally setting a screen again, blocking the pursuing Iguodala and Green.

Jokic’s screen was very solid; it blocked the defense firmly,

The two played extreme coordination inside, this time Zeng Xingyang used Jokic’s screen to get open at the free-throw line position.

Zeng Xingyang decisively shot a jump shot from the free-throw line.

"Swish!"

Piercing the heart!!

to 118

Zeng Xingyang and Jokic’s coordination was very fluid.

The Pepsi Center in Denver erupted in cheers.

"Nikola, beautiful screen." Zeng Xingyang high-fived Jokic to celebrate.

Jokic shrugged, said nothing.

This kind of coordination was showcased countless times by the two this season.

Zhang Weiping sighed: "The duo coordination between Xingyang and Jokic is the league’s most lethal tactic; their mutual assists rank first and second in the league."

Xu Jicheng said, "These two are very smart; they know when providing the ball is most suitable."

Online, fans continued to discuss.

"Jokic knows when to feed Xingyang the ball, and this pass was perfectly timed."

"Xingyang’s mid-range capability is also a killer move."

"The Warriors made a mistake; they let the duo’s coordination go too smoothly."

The match on the court quickly continued.

The Warriors’ offense comes again.

Curry reached the frontcourt, hands on knees, panting heavily, running with Pope.

Durant got the ball in the backcourt, Zeng Xingyang kept putting pressure on Durant.

But Durant had excellent ball protection; Zeng Xingyang didn’t manage to steal the ball.

After reaching the frontcourt, Durant passed to the right side Green, who passed back to Durant.

The time reached 30 seconds.

Durant quickly changed direction to attack facing Zeng Xingyang, accelerating on the right side.

Durant’s speed was fast, but Zeng Xingyang was faster.

Zeng Xingyang bodied to block Durant, forcing Durant to pass to Curry.

At this point, Pope tightly followed Curry, not giving Curry a chance to shoot.

Curry is strong, but he has an obvious flaw: facing top defenders, he struggles to create absolute space.

This is why they needed to bring in Durant.

Iguodala, being smart, went up to screen, Pope got blocked.

Gordon worked hard to rush up for defense; Curry’s first fake move already tricked Gordon.

But Gordon reacted quickly on the second time, swiftly interfered Curry again.

F*ck!

Curry felt Gordon’s toughness; Gordon’s physical ability gave him an edge over Curry.

Curry didn’t dare to confront Gordon, had to dodge and made a drifting shot.

The remaining offensive time was low, and Curry’s shot was quite forced.

The shot was extremely difficult; on-site fans stood up, preparing to celebrate the goal.

Curry shot an airball, and the ball was grabbed by Green under the basket; Green bypassed Jokic and tipped the ball with one hand.

"Swish!"

Basketball tipped in by Green.

to 118.

seconds on the clock.

Zeng Xingyang and Jokic shook their heads regretfully.

This unprotected rebound was too crucial.

Green, excitedly, jumped back to defense; he anticipated Curry’s shot would airball, thus found the chance to tip in under the basket.

Benefiting from his familiarity with Curry, Jokic didn’t anticipate at all.