CHAPTER 464: CHAPTER 376: G2 — KNIGHTS FALL AGAIN (PART 1)

G1 was won with some ease.

But come G2, the Knights adapted to the Nuggets’ intensity.

Right at the start of the game, they kept causing fouls on Jokic, effectively benching him.

Once Jokic was off the court, the game got much more favorable for the Knights.

The Knights’ offensive firepower began to show, and the Nuggets’ defensive intensity waned.

With 6 minutes left in the first half, the score reached 48 to 42, with the visitors leading by 6 points.

Nuggets’ offense.

Zeng Xingyang pushed the ball quickly, with Jokic off the court, he had to take on more responsibility.

Zubac came up to screen, Zeng Xingyang pulled the ball to the right, then quickly drove left.

Zeng Xingyang broke through, James came over to help defend, and at this moment, Gordon cut down the middle.

Zeng Xingyang made a bounce pass through James, to Gordon’s hands, Gordon leaped up and dunked over JR Smith who had returned to the basket with both hands.

to 44,

There was a suspicion of a foul on JR Smith, but the referee didn’t blow the whistle.

Knights’ offense.

James used a screen on the right to break through and passed to JR Smith.

JR Smith, facing Butler, didn’t shake him off, shooting forcefully against the defense.

"Clank!"

No.

Zeng Xingyang grabbed the rebound, made a quick outlet to the front court to Pope, who easily laid it in, making it 48 to 46.

Next possession.

The Knights’ offense made another mistake, Love attempted a low-post move but was poked by Butler who was standing beside him.

Butler’s defensive territory is very large; he often sweeps through the paint.

The ball was picked up by Pope.

Pope made a quick outlet to Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang charged to the front at the right three-point line for a transition three-pointer.

This shot was very challenging.

But Zeng Xingyang’s body control was excellent, maintaining a soft touch.

The basketball traced a beautiful arc.

"Swish!"

Nothing but net.

to 49,

The score quickly entered a stalemate phase.

James also quickly exerted power, aggressively attacking and exchanging blows with Zeng Xingyang.

The first-half score ultimately settled at 56 to 56.

The James-led Knights didn’t suffer the collapse many anticipated; they were still fiercely determined to win an away game to take back.

After all, this is the Finals; giving up is not an option.

Visitor locker room.

Tyronn Lue emphasized to everyone, "Increase your defensive intensity, body up."

Tyronn Lue specifically told Owen, "Kyrie, I hope you can create some trouble for Zeng."

Owen nodded.

Owen knew very well what limiting Zeng Xingyang would mean.

The second half began quickly, with Jokic still in a resting state for the Nuggets, Mike Malone hoping to protect Jokic as much as possible.

Knights’ offense.

Owen dribbled to the frontcourt position, with Zeng Xingyang continuously disturbing Owen’s dribbling, fortunately, Owen’s ball protection was strong enough not to lose the ball.

Owen then passed to Love in the low right position.

Love posted up against Gordon, after bumping into him once, Love nimbly did a jump step frontwards.

Followed by the hook shot.

"Swish!"

The basketball was hooked into the hoop.

to 56,

The Knights’ Big Three were all in fine form today, seizing every scoring opportunity.

Nuggets’ offense.

Zeng Xingyang’s push speed was extremely fast, but the Knights’ defensive transition was equally fast.

Owen gritted his teeth to defend Zeng Xingyang.

Owen had decent defensive skills, but he lacked physical strength.

Zeng Xingyang gave the ball to the supporting Siakam in the frontcourt, then posted up to Owen for the ball.

Siakam passed to Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang immediately posted up Owen.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

Continuous body bumps inside.

Owen retreated step by step; sheer power rendered any defensive skills useless.

Zeng Xingyang backed up Owen, pivoted left to combine the ball and create space.

Owen scrambled over, Zeng Xingyang nudged Owen again before shooting.

"Bang!"

"Beep Beep!"

"Swish!"

Zeng Xingyang scored while drawing a defensive foul on Owen.

The fans at the Denver Pepsi Center cheered.

Butler and Siakam came over to pull Zeng Xingyang up.

Zeng Xingyang stood at the free-throw line and took a deep breath.

"Swish!"

Calmly hit the free throw.

to 59.

Knights’ offense.

Owen dribbled to the frontcourt and gave it to James.

Siakam gave James a bit of space on defense, but James didn’t use it to shoot, instead decisively accelerating to drive.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

James went for brute force as well; Siakam was still too frail for him.

Couldn’t stop him.

James forcefully carried Siakam into the paint, making the layup while drawing a foul.

This play was also an and-one.

James hit the additional free throw as well.

to 59.

Nuggets’ offense.

Zeng Xingyang dribbled to the frontcourt and passed to Butler.

Butler made a crossover past JR Smith, charged into the paint, but was double-teamed.

Butler quickly passed outside, but James predicted the ball, rushed out and intercepted it.

James sprinted down the court alone; Zeng Xingyang tried to chase back but couldn’t catch up.

James’ tomahawk dunk.

"Clank!"

to 59.

Barkley said, "The Knights have found the rhythm Tyronn Lue wanted, LeBron James has stepped up."

Smith said, "The Nuggets’ defensive intensity has dropped somewhat; let’s see how they’ll respond."

The Nuggets have faced such moments many times this season; the players on the court didn’t panic.

Gordon passed the ball to Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang dribbled to the frontcourt, signaled a play.

The current positioning wasn’t suitable for isolation play; the Knights wouldn’t allow Zeng Xingyang to post-up Owen continuously. Once Zeng Xingyang gets inside, they’ll double-team.

The frontline Zubac came up for a screen, blocking Owen, and Love switched over.

Zubac quickly took Owen away, leaving Love to guard Zeng Xingyang one-on-one.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

Zeng Xingyang didn’t hesitate, immediately dribbling with complex crossovers, adjusting his rhythm.

Love’s lateral speed was decent for an inside player, but he couldn’t maintain the defensive intensity.

Zeng Xingyang adjusted his footwork rapidly, gaining space.

With a quick and misaligned rhythm step, he took a three-point jump shot.

Love made a great effort to close out.

The fans in the stadium cheered and screamed in time.

The basketball traced a beautiful arc.

"Swish!"

Nothing but net!!!

to 62.

Zeng Xingyang’s three-pointer was extremely sharp, quickly catching up on the score at a crucial moment.

Knights’ offense once more.

This time James kept the ball and aggressively attacked Siakam.

Butler came over to help double-team; James’ finishing space was sealed.

James passed the ball to Love at the corner.

Love shot a three-pointer, and Zeng Xingyang sprinted over from a distance to contest.

"Clank!"

It missed, and Siakam controlled the rebound.

Siakam brought the ball to the front, then passed to Zeng Xingyang on the right.

Zeng Xingyang launched a pick-and-roll with Gordon, Gordon came up to block Owen, Zeng Xingyang drove at a diagonal from the right.

Zeng Xingyang was very fast; Love, who switched, couldn’t stop him. James came from the other side to help defend, but Zeng Xingyang combined the ball with a Euro-step over James, calmly laying it in.

to 64