NBA: Rising Superstar!

The 76ers' home fans are still playing the game where they won't sit down unless the home team scores, so they're still standing and watching.

Zeng Xing switched defense with Nelson this time and went straight to guard McConnell.

Primarily because Zeng Xingyang noticed that Nelson couldn't keep up with TJ McConnell's first step, while Covington is a 3-and-D player, easier to defend.

TJ McConnell called for a high pick-and-roll with Okafor.

Okafor moved up.

Zeng Xingyang got blocked, and Jokic switched defense.

Jokic spread his arms wide, making it difficult for TJ McConnell to break through. He bounced the ball to Okafor, who rolled to the free-throw line.

Let Okafor take advantage of the mismatch with Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang unexpectedly didn't try to challenge Okafor but instead stepped back, giving Okafor an open shot from mid-range.

"Look at you, poor thing, go ahead and shoot one," Zeng Xingyang taunted Okafor.

Although Okafor has some mid-range ability, Zeng Xingyang was more concerned about Okafor's potential drive to the hoop.

He certainly couldn't withstand Okafor's size, as Okafor has many close-range attack methods with that 226 cm wingspan.

As expected, Okafor took the bait and confidently went for a jump shot from a distance.

Coach Brown on the sidelines frowned; his shooting efficiency from this distance is not high.

As expected.

"Clang!"

The basketball bounced high off the rim.

Galinarli secured the rebound.

"Go play inside, you could easily overpower him," Coach Brown yelled at Okafor.

Such a big advantage inside, not playing inside?

What's the point?

Sometimes the team is accused of tanking, and Coach Brown feels it's unfair.

It's not that he wants to tank, but the players behave this way without considering what kind of players management has brought in!

A third overall pick was used to select Zeng Xingyang at the time, isn't he good now?

Selected just for his statistics.

Galinarli passes the ball to Jokic.

Jokic is trying hard to run forward, but right now his speed can't be called fast.

Nevertheless, Jokic saw that the 76ers' defense hadn't set yet, so he's creating an opportunity.

Jokic's judgment is on point; the 76ers didn't expect the Nuggets' center to push forward so quickly.

Jokic easily made it to the three-point line, with Covington defending inside.

Jokic made a high-speed change of direction to challenge Covington. CJ McConnell's defense was also drawn in, and just when everyone thought he would take it himself, he passed the ball to the other side where Zeng Xingyang was coming in.

This was an extreme inner pass.

Zeng Xingyang cut in and got a wide-open look.

He caught the ball, plants, and slams it down with both hands!

"Boom!"

11 to 0

"Pop!"

"Great pass."

Zeng Xingyang and Jokic high-five in celebration.

"Your cuts are getting sharper," Jokic responded.

Jokic could sense that Zeng Xingyang's offensive layering was increasing.

Not just shooting, even his cuts are becoming smoother with him.

It seems that with the promotion to the starting lineup, both are playing with more passion.

Zeng Xingyang smiled, and as his experience in the games increased, so did his skills and experience, which was inevitable.

Coach Brown didn't call a timeout, as it wasn't long since he called the last one.

CJ McConnell dribbled to the front court, passing to Canaan this time.

The 76ers players have all taken turns attacking, but they're still not finding opportunities.

Canaan passed the ball to Covington.

Just as Zeng Xingyang predicted, Covington's ball-handling wasn't great; lacking enough explosiveness, Nelson just needed to block his lower body to stop him.

Covington passed the ball to Okafor.

Okafor continued a low-post backdown against Jokic.

After backing down two steps, Okafor took a fadeaway jump shot he's skilled at.

But Jokic's defense didn't lose its position, giving Okafor pressure as he turned.

The shot didn't have enough arc.

"Clang!"

The basketball hit the rim and bounced up.

Jokic kept Okafor behind as Zeng Xingyang came back to secure the rebound.

Compared to his shooting and defensive skills, Zeng Xingyang's rebounding ability is indeed somewhat lacking.

Not jumping high or fast enough can indeed sometimes impact his ability to compete for rebounds with opponents.

The Nuggets' offense comes again.

Zeng Xingyang advanced with the ball.

Covington pressed up to defend, and Zeng Xingyang used a spin move combined with a hand change to rush past half court.

Due to Zeng Xingyang's height and wingspan, his handling looks less smooth than many point guards'; however, in actual play, his ball protection is definitely sufficient.

Once Zeng Xingyang reached the front court, he passed the ball to Galinarli.

Galinarli hadn't touched the ball for a while, but his plus-minus was rising; he's not the kind of player who needs to be the team's star and is happy to see this unfold.

Both Jokic and Galinarli, these European players, have a greater sense of team play than the native American players.

Galinarli passed the ball to Jokic.

Jokic dribbled from the free-throw line step to hand the ball off to Zeng Xingyang.

Covington got blocked; once Zeng Xingyang got the ball, he made a move past Jokic towards Okafor's left side.

As Okafor turned, Zeng Xingyang stopped for a jump shot.

Okafor's turning speed was too slow and completely out of rhythm; he couldn't jump.

Zeng Xingyang smoothly took the shot.

Without any pressure.

The basketball drew a beautiful arc.

"Swish!"

13 to 0

The 76ers' home crowd swallowed hard.

Close to 5 minutes now, and the 76ers still haven't scored.

They really shouldn't have played the game where the home team doesn't score, they don't sit down.