NBA: Rising Superstar!

The Nuggets' locker room was brightly lit, surrounded by players' clothes and equipment.

The Nuggets players were chatting in small groups.

The fact that they didn't fall too far behind in the first half made everyone feel a bit better.

Soon, Mike Malone gathered everyone to start discussing second-half tactics.

Mike Malone looked directly at Zeng Xingyang, his gaze full of trust and expectation, and said firmly, "Zeng, keep up your offensive in the second half. Our strategy is to revolve around your solo plays; you don't need to worry too much, you have the green light to shoot at will."

Mike Malone knew well that Zeng Xingyang's individual skills were indisputable, so he granted Zeng Xingyang the full freedom to shoot as he liked. Miracles happened in the last game.

Maybe tonight as well.

Zeng Xingyang nodded slightly, eyes filled with confidence and determination, calmly saying, "Okay, got it."

Within the Nuggets, no one thought giving Zeng Xingyang the freedom to shoot was excessive. Zeng Xingyang's offense had repeatedly proven to be top-notch.

As long as the ball was given to him, he could choose the most reasonable way to handle it.

In the past, Zeng Xingyang also had the freedom to shoot, but he never used it recklessly. Mike Malone's words were more about letting Zeng Xingyang let go of his concerns and not rely on other teammates.

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Barkley frowned, full of confusion, and said, "Zeng and Nikola Jokic played the entire 24 minutes of the first half, and Mike Malone didn't dare let them rest at all. Isn't this kind of intensity problematic?"

Smith analyzed seriously, "The win-loss value of these two for the Nuggets is the highest, and Mike Malone doesn't dare to change their playing time. They have a chance tonight too."

Barkley rubbed his chin, thinking, and said, "I can understand. If the Nuggets want to maintain this offensive and defensive intensity, they need to be on the court. They're young and can play like this for short periods, but this is a series; they can't play this intensely every game."

Smith, a bit worried, said, "Let's see how long the Nuggets can keep playing like this. I always feel this lineup is a huge concern."

Barkley said, "Mike Malone has no choice. Apart from their starters, the Nuggets' second lineup struggles against the Warriors' intensity."

....

Soon, the second half began.

Both teams fielded their strongest lineup.

It's the Warriors' offensive possession.

Curry, focused, pushed the ball forward quickly.

Zeng Xingyang moved quickly, going to guard Barnes, while Harris was tightly on Curry for defense.

Curry didn't follow the usual play of passing to Barnes but instead made a side-action pass precisely to Iguodala.

Iguodala held the ball at the top, and Green quickly set an off-ball screen for Thompson.

Thompson, light on his feet, quickly moved to the left-side 45-degree spot.

Iguodala decisively passed it to Thompson.

Thompson caught the ball, knees slightly bent, then jumped decisively for a three-pointer.

The basketball traced a beautiful arc in the air.

"Swish!"

Nothing but net, straight through!

The score moved to 54 to 60.

The three-pointer instantly ignited the home crowd, with cheers echoing throughout. Thompson's face was also full of strong fighting spirit.

The Nuggets' offensive began.

Jokic stood at the baseline, steadily passing the ball to Zeng Xingyang. Zeng Xingyang received the ball and started dribbling forward.

Seeing this, Iguodala rushed forward, trying to press Zeng Xingyang, but Zeng Xingyang made a quick change of direction, his body darting past like a cheetah, leaving Iguodala lunging in vain.

Zeng Xingyang, very fast, and nimble on his feet, quickly reached the top of the arc.

Everyone thought Zeng Xingyang would stop and organize the offense, but he faced Barnes coming up to defend and made another abrupt low-hand direction change, darting past like lightning.

Barnes got beat, and Green and Curry tried to clamp down but couldn't manage to.

Zeng Xingyang broke through the double team, grabbed the ball high with one hand, jumped forcefully, creating a strong arc in the air, and slammed the ball hard.

"Clunk!"

The basketball was slammed into the hoop.

Zeng Xingyang completed a one-on-five solo attack.

The score changed to 56 to 60.

"Well done!!"

Mike Malone excitedly waved his arms and shouted loudly.

Zeng Xingyang's offense was so dominant that the previously roaring cheers quieted quickly, and Warriors fans looked at each other in disbelief, unable to fathom Zeng Xingyang's direct and aggressive style.

"Zeng's offense is ruthless."

"The Warriors' defense was a bit careless, couldn't stop him."

"Speed and rhythm blended perfectly."

Fans were discussing intensely.

Even though Zeng Xingyang's solo run was cool, it didn't impact the Warriors much.

Green received Iguodala's inbound pass and quickly dribbled across half court, raising the Warriors' tempo as the Nuggets got back on defense.

Once Green reached the front court, he quickly surveyed but saw no direct attack opportunity; the Nuggets' individual defense was showing its strength.

Green quickly passed to Curry, who smoothly initiated a horn screen.

Green and Iguodala both screened for Curry, while Harris, Grant, and Zeng Xingyang quickly surrounded Curry, trapping him. Curry, in motion, slid sideways and bent his knees, quickly jumping for a three-pointer.

The rhythm wasn't bad, but it was a tough shot.

"Clang!"

The basketball pounded hard against the rim and bounced up.

Jokic controlled the rebound steadily.

Without any hesitation, Jokic launched a long pass with force towards Zeng Xingyang.

When Curry took the shot, Zeng Xingyang didn't look at the rim but ran directly in the opposite direction.

He knew if Curry made it, he wouldn't need to receive the ball, and if not, he wouldn't need to get the rebound either. This made Zeng Xingyang very fast.

Jokic's pass was well-timed, leading Zeng.

Zeng Xingyang got the ball and made a quick direction change, passing Thompson again in front.

Zeng Xingyang exploded instantly, darting like an arrow into the three-point line. Taking a step, he rose into the air, his release speed very fast, and after beating Thompson, there was no chance for him to catch up.

Zeng Xingyang grabbed the basketball with one hand, lifted it high, and slammed it hard into the hoop.

"Clang!" The score turned to 58 to 60, another clean and crisp dunk.

The scene's momentum was completely suppressed.

Coach Zhang was so excited his face turned red, waving his arms and shouting, "The Nuggets picked up the pace, the Warriors' defense can't match their rhythm, and the Nuggets started closing in consecutively."

Yu Jia excitedly said, "It's like Xingyang has been switched to attack mode; Mike Malone must have given him instructions in the locker room."

The two commentators were extremely excited, and domestic fans were also thrilled.

"Xingyang is awesome."

"Caught the Warriors off guard with two fast-paced transitions."

"Can't stop him, just can't."

"Truly dominating, nothing more to say; two consecutive powerful dunks have awakened the Nuggets' fighting spirit."

Fans were swiftly typing on their keyboards online.

"Ah!!!" Zeng Xingyang also roared loudly into the camera on the court.