CHAPTER 256: CHAPTER 182, FIFTH GAME-WINNING SHOT OF THE SEASON, SWEEPING THE KNIGHTS!!

Tyronn Lue emphasized from the sidelines: "LeBron, LeBron, LeBron, pass the ball to LeBron."

On January 23, 2016, the Cleveland Cavaliers announced the dismissal of head coach David Blatt.

The Cavaliers’ chief assistant coach, Tyronn Lue, took over Blatt’s position, becoming the team’s new head coach.

After assuming the position, Tyronn Lue fully implemented strategies and tactics focused on James as the absolute core.

Tyronn Lue believes the Cavaliers will have a bright future under James’ leadership.

No matter what kind of predicament they face on the court, giving the ball to James is never wrong.

The Cavaliers were not surprised by Tyronn Lue’s speech; it’s just his coaching style.

Time-out is over.

Galinarli was substituted by Harris.

Owen advanced the ball, slowly and steadily, while Zeng Xingyang intensified his defensive pressure on him, managing not to make mistakes.

It’s not only Zeng Xingyang increasing the intensity, but the Nuggets are also upping the defensive strength across other positions.

In the paint, Jokic pushed Mozgov out directly, and Pope didn’t give James an easy chance to receive the ball.

Although Owen was displeased about passing every ball to James, he respected the coach’s arrangement and proactively dribbled the ball forward, looking for an opportunity to pass to James.

Owen was willing to pass because he knows if James can’t play, he’ll proactively hand the ball over to him.

James boxed Pope behind him and began a post-play.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

James’s post-play is much stronger than in the 1.0 era, leveraging his power advantage to push Pope back two steps to get near.

Forceful turn-around, stepping back, and hovering in the air falling for a fadeaway.

"Swish!"

to 100.

James’s fadeaway shooting posture is quite awkward, but with his formidable core physical capabilities, he can still find shooting opportunities.

Pope might be at a disadvantage in terms of strength when defending him.

The fans at Quicken Loans Arena saw James responded and quickly started cheering.

"I’ll defend him next," Zeng Xingyang went over to inform Pope.

"Alright, he’ll lower his center of gravity in post-play, watch to hold him off," Pope said earnestly.

Pope would listen to Zeng Xingyang’s arrangement, and he doesn’t feel Zeng Xingyang is looking down on his defense.

He knows Zeng Xingyang’s defense is trustworthy; it’s just they focus on different defensive targets.

The Nuggets’ offense.

Jokic brought the ball to the front court and then handed it over to Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang, taking advantage of Jokic’s screen, tried to penetrate inside.

However, the Cavaliers’ defense quickly shrank, leaving Zeng Xingyang without scoring opportunities inside. As he tried to pass the ball outside, JR intercepted it.

JR managed to control the ball, preparing to speed forward.

Zeng Xingyang retaliated quickly, rushing over, extending a long arm from behind to poke the ball away from JR.

"Splat!"

Pulled off the steal.

At this point, the Cavaliers were already advancing forward; JR getting stolen disrupted their defensive setup.

Zeng Xingyang, not holding back, took the ball on the spot and sprinted forward, with Pope on the left and Harris on the right.

On the Cavaliers’ side, only JR and Frye were defending, forming a three-on-two situation in the front court.

Zeng Xingyang passed the ball to Harris on the right, who took it inside, attracting the defense, then handed it over to the trailing Pope.

Pope received the ball, stepped up, and made a flying layup to score.

to 100.

Even though Zeng Xingyang made a crucial error earlier, he quickly compensated by completing a steal.

This steal facilitated the fast break.

Zeng Xingyang and Harris high-fived in celebration.

"The Nuggets’ defensive resilience is strong, helping them overcome many challenges."

"Love to see such defensive fast-breaks."

"Xingyang almost made a huge mistake but luckily took it back."

"The Nuggets’ transition offense is also top-notch."

"Well done."

The fans discussed ceaselessly.

The Cavaliers’ offense.

James couldn’t force through when faced with Zeng Xingyang’s defense.

He initiated consecutive ball distribution and organization.

Eventually, the ball was in Owen’s hands. Owen forced a breakthrough inside, against Harris and Jokic’s defense, he barely found an opening and performed a spectacular adjustment to score.

to 102.

The Nuggets already defended to the extreme in this play, yet they couldn’t contain Owen.

Owen found a shooting opportunity in a desperate situation and scored.

The fans in the arena keep roaring with confidence in Owen.

Owen fell after this shot, stood up, took a deep breath, then roared.

Owen is very confident in his abilities; even if the Nuggets apply intense defensive pressure, as long as he gets the ball, he’s confident to put it in.

The Nuggets’ offense.

Jokic dribbled forward, and the fans at Quicken Loans Arena continued to pressure Jokic.

Constant booing.

Letting a center bring the ball past half-court, except for the Nuggets, you won’t see this anywhere else in the league.

Green is not strictly a center, and his ball time is nowhere as long as Jokic’s.

Jokic’s playmaking ability has been recognized externally, and nobody thinks it’s inappropriate.

After Jokic carried the ball to the front, he passed it to Harris.

Harris transferred the ball to Pope.

The Nuggets’ ball movement speed is incredibly quick, with continuous positioning, screens, and passes.

Quickly, the ball reached Zeng Xingyang.

At this point, Frye was rotating to defend Zeng Xingyang; the players from both teams swiftly cleared out the space.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

Zeng Xingyang increased the amplitude of his crossovers.

Continuous step adjustments.