CHAPTER 95: CHAPTER 92: CAREER DEBUT, PERFECT FIRST GOAL!_2

Let Harden hold the ball for isolation!

This is the most simplistic tactic of the Rockets.

Let Harden initiate a personal attack, stir up the opponent’s defense changes, and then find offensive opportunities.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

Harden didn’t call for a pick and roll, instead faced Harris with consecutive crossovers in front of him.

Harris’s defense is above average, but it’s still difficult to stop Harden.

After a few rhythm changes, Harden easily broke through from the left side.

Lavine’s help defense.

Seeing Lavine away from the basket, Harden casually tossed the ball to the sky.

Capela in the three-second zone soared into the air, grabbed the basketball with both hands, and slammed it fiercely.

"Bang!!!"

"Ah!!!"

to 2.

The Rockets made an alley-oop in their first possession.

Capela fiercely pulled on the rim, then landed and roared to the sky.

Capela was last year’s 15th pick rookie; he didn’t get many opportunities last season. This season, McHale has valued him, trying him in the starting position.

The fans on-site quickly cheered, appreciating this beautiful offense.

Zeng Xingyang watched this scene from the sidelines and felt the current strength of the Rockets.

This offensive tactic is straightforward: Harden uses his personal offensive ability to maneuver the Nuggets’ double defense, then his familiar teammate appears in the responding position to finish conclusively.

To defend successfully, one must limit Harden one-on-one!

How difficult it is to accomplish such a thing.

Zeng Xingyang knew this season Harden began entering the peak of his career; not to mention Harris, it’s hard to find players in the entire league to defend him.

Many players face Harden with an inexplicable fear, either drawing fouls or getting passed like crossing the street.

Especially to avoid drawing fouls, some players invented the way of defending Harden with both hands behind their backs, fearing their hands would touch Harden during defense.

The fact proved Zeng Xingyang’s judgment was correct.

Minutes after the game started, Harden demonstrated extremely unresolvable personal offense, either succeeding in isolation against Harris or breaking past him to easily assist teammates.

The defensive intensity displayed by the Nuggets couldn’t match Harden’s offensive ability. Harris, who wanted to showcase in the new season, was directly subdued.

The Rockets’ three-point shooting was fantastic at home, so their scoring speed was swift.

The Nuggets’ offense relied on Galinarli’s point, and other points had low offensive efficiency.

The Rockets’ defensive intensity was also not low. Ariza on the wing is good at defense, a decent 3D player; as a role player, he excels, sweeping both the perimeter and inside.

Additionally, Capela was excellent at jumping; his rim protection tonight was outstanding, making the Nuggets’ offense look dreadful.

With 5 minutes and 51 seconds left in the first quarter, the score reached 10 to 21, the Rockets leading by 11 points.

Mike Malone called a timeout, even though it wasn’t time for the second unit rotation; he couldn’t watch any longer.

Mike Malone couldn’t have imagined that in the first game of the new season, the team would expose their issues so thoroughly.

"Zeng, Nikola, you’re up."

Zeng Xingyang and Jokic both stood up, replacing Gary Harris and Lavine.

This was Malone’s second personnel adjustment; previously, at 7 minutes, he substituted Barton, but it didn’t have a great effect.

If it doesn’t work, keep changing!

Mike Malone was all out now; they couldn’t get blown out in the first quarter, could they?

Mike Malone came over, put his hand on Zeng Xingyang’s shoulder, and said, "Zeng, create some trouble for James, don’t let him be so easy."

Zeng Xingyang nodded and said, "No problem, leave it to me."

Even with Level 4 defense and an all-around physical enhancement, Zeng Xingyang was not confident in completely stopping Harden now, but he hoped to create trouble.

The Rockets hadn’t made substitutions yet, but on the Nuggets’ side, the players on the court were changed to Nelson, Zeng Xingyang, Barton, Galinarli, and Jokic.

Point guard Nelson didn’t think Zeng Xingyang could defend Harden; Zeng Xingyang was just a rookie. He only hoped Zeng Xingyang wouldn’t be beaten down so quickly again.

Nelson expected more offensive support from Zeng Xingyang; as long as Zeng Xingyang could establish his outside shooting, it would benefit the team.

Standing on the court, Zeng Xingyang patted his chest to calm his pounding heart.

He must succeed in tonight’s debut.

"Zeng Xingyang is on the court!"

"Go for it!!"

"Oh no, coming in right against Harden, he’s going to get beaten."

"It’s bad, could it be that in his debut, he’ll get beaten badly and have no more chances to play?"

Domestic fans were worried after Zeng Xingyang took the court.

Despite the media praising Zeng Xingyang for his defense, he’s now facing James Harden!

His defensive prowess might be turned into a weakness here.

Domestic fans feared Zeng Xingyang might disappear from games just like Ah Lian in the past.

On the court, the Nuggets’ offense started again.

Nelson dribbled to the frontcourt, and Zeng Xingyang positioned on the right side.

Nelson passes the ball to Barton, who doesn’t even glance in Zeng Xingyang’s direction. He holds the ball, facing Ariza’s defense, changes direction to the right, and strides in for a strong layup.

This shot didn’t shake off the defense; Ariza’s disruption caused him to overshoot. Capela secured the rebound.

Zeng Xingyang didn’t complain but quickly returned to defense.

The Rockets’ offense resumes.

Capela directly passes the ball to Harden.

Harden dribbles into the frontcourt.

Zeng Xingyang swiftly spreads his arms and moves in to meet him.

Harden doesn’t take Zeng Xingyang seriously. He dribbles with his right hand while scanning his teammates’ positions around him.

While Harden observes, Zeng Xingyang doesn’t sit idly but quickly presses forward aggressively.

Zeng Xingyang knows that to stop Harden, he can’t let him prepare adequately for the attack. He must proactively disrupt his rhythm.

"Bang!"

There’s body contact between Zeng Xingyang and Harden.

Harden didn’t expect Zeng Xingyang to be so strong, causing him to slightly lose balance.

However, Harden reacts swiftly, pulling the ball down and quickly accelerating to the left, easily bypassing Zeng Xingyang.

Rushing at the opponent may sometimes lead to losing defensive positioning.

With an opportunity inside, Harden thought he could smoothly lay it up.

But at the moment he shot, Zeng Xingyang dashed out from behind.

His 220+ cm wingspan waved intensely in interference!!

Though Harden was not blocked, his hand wavered slightly.

"Clank!"

Under Zeng Xingyang’s relentless pursuit, Harden’s shot hit the back of the rim.

Capela quickly prepared to fight for the offensive rebound.

Seeing himself getting closer to the basketball, he always seemed just a step short.

Then Capela went flying out!

Jokic, positioned perfectly in the paint, boxed out Capela and raised his hand to snag the rebound.

Even though Jokic doesn’t jump high, his ability to protect the basketball is very strong, mainly due to his solid build and top-notch awareness.

On the sideline, Mike Malone enthusiastically punched the air, satisfied with this high-pressure defensive sequence.

Even before grabbing the rebound, Jokic was already scouting his teammates!

Only Zeng Xingyang knew how Jokic likes to play, so after finishing the defense, Zeng Xingyang quickly ran forward.

Such a great understanding!!

Jokic flung the ball forward with one hand!!

Showtime.

"Oh oh, the Nuggets launched a counterattack, Nikola sent a long pass to Zeng," Barkley shouted.

The Chinese fans at the scene all stood up.

Zeng Xingyang’s speed is pretty good now, and with the advantage of a quick start, Harden can’t catch up.

Zeng Xingyang dashed past half-court and firmly caught Jokic’s pass.

Ariza quickly ran back to the paint, but Zeng Xingyang had no intention of attacking the basket.

He dribbled twice and adjusted his pace outside the right three-point line.

At this moment.

Time seemed to freeze!

The noise around silenced.

A transition three-pointer, Zeng Xingyang jumped up swiftly.

The basketball smoothly released from his hand.

Fingertips left the ball.

The ball spun beautifully in the air.

The world returned to its noisy state.

Finally!

"Swish!"

The basketball went through the net, creating a splash.

to 21

Zeng Xingyang scored his first career point, making the first shot of his NBA career!

After making the basket, Zeng Xingyang faced the baseline camera and performed a celebratory gesture with three fingers slicing down.

Dominant!!

The Nuggets’ bench players erupted into cheers.

Many fans in the arena also stood up to cheer for this rookie.

The first basket of a rookie’s professional career is always thrilling.

Harden shrugged, looking at Zeng Xingyang’s back, sensing that tonight’s game wouldn’t be so simple.