CHAPTER 440: CHAPTER 352: THE UNSTOPPABLE ZENG XINGYANG

Clippers’ offense.

Paul dribbles to the frontcourt.

Pierce positions Butler behind him.

Paul passes the ball to Pierce, who chooses to back into Butler.

Repeated bumps, Butler stands firm, Pierce struggles to move him.

Pierce opts for a turnaround fake, Butler’s balance slightly shifts, and Pierce leans in.

"Bang!"

"Beep Beep!"

Pierce forcefully drew a foul on Butler.

Butler spread his hands helplessly, the referee called every Clippers’ foul successfully today.

This made it difficult for the Nuggets players to defend effectively.

Butler didn’t even bother arguing with the referee, while Malone constantly pressured the officials, but to little effect.

Pierce stepped up to the free-throw line, comfortably sinking both shots.

to 96.

The fans at Staples Center cheered.

Even though Pierce is nearing retirement, he frequently makes key plays for the Clippers this season.

Especially his low-post offensive ability often becomes a part of Rivers’ tactics.

Nuggets’ offense.

Zeng Xingyang was front-guarded by Pierce in the backcourt, Jokic sends the ball to Gordon, who dribbles past the halfcourt.

After crossing the halfway line, Gordon passes the ball to Jokic.

Zeng Xingyang, positioned beyond the left three-point line, called for the ball from Jokic.

Jokic passed the ball over, and Pierce quickly pressed onto Zeng Xingyang.

Pierce tried to steal, but Zeng Xingyang unhesitatingly hooked Pierce’s hand and attempted a three-point shot.

Even though the ball deviated from its trajectory.

But "Beep Beep!"

The referee had to blow the whistle.

The foul by Pierce was very obvious, his actions were slightly sluggish, allowing Zeng Xingyang to take advantage.

Zeng Xingyang rarely draws fouls like this; Pierce aggravated him a bit this time.

The referee extended three fingers, indicating three free throws.

Zeng Xingyang approached the free-throw line.

"Swoosh!"

"Swoosh!"

"Swoosh!"

to 96.

Zeng Xingyang’s expression was very serious, determined to defeat his opponent tonight.

Clippers’ offense.

Paul dribbles to the frontcourt.

Paul continues to pass the ball to Pierce in the low post.

Pierce leans on Pope, spinning past to the basket.

Pierce launches himself for a layup.

A figure swiftly dashed out.

Zeng Xingyang had anticipated Pierce’s offensive intention early on.

Not only Zeng Xingyang, but Butler also anticipated it.

The two of them blocked together.

"Smack!!"

Pierce didn’t stand a chance.

The basketball bounced out and was controlled by Gordon.

Gordon hands the ball to Jokic.

Jokic dribbles past halfcourt, standing at the top arc.

Zeng Xingyang runs over from the right, receiving the hand-off from Jokic.

Little Jordan switches to guard Zeng Xingyang.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

Zeng Xingyang faced Little Jordan, executing continuous low dribbling to find rhythm.

Jokic diverted Pierce, leaving Zeng Xingyang ample room.

Zeng Xingyang quickly found the rhythm, burst to the right, and then stepped back to create space against Little Jordan.

Then an off-rhythm three-point jump shot.

The basketball arced beautifully.

"Swoosh!"

to 96

The three-pointer hit perfectly.

Little Jordan looked at Zeng Xingyang with helplessness; there was no way he could defend that kind of shot.

Zeng Xingyang is phenomenal when mismatched on the court.

Zeng Xingyang put his hand to his ear, starting to listen to the boos.

Watching Zeng Xingyang’s arrogance, the crowd booed again.

Coach Xu asked: "Coach Zhang, do you think Xingyang has any obvious weaknesses?"

Coach Zhang thought for a moment and said: "Xingyang is similar to Durant; he’s one of those rare all-around players who can pass, score, and defend. He can do everything a team wants him to. If you must find one, perhaps it would be the rebounding isn’t as outstanding."

Coach Xu said: "Xingyang’s rebounds rarely reach double figures; I feel more often he speeds up the pace, frequently launching quick breaks."

Coach Zhang said: "Yes, if Xingyang needed to rebound, he probably could do it well, but the Nuggets don’t require him to."

While the commentators chatted, the game continued on the court.

Clippers’ offense again.

Paul dribbles to the frontcourt, bounces the ball to Griffin inside.

Pierce has played two consecutive possessions, so it’s a switch to another player now.

Griffin backs down, during the spin directly swings his elbow.

"Bang!"

Gordon caught a hit on the chin, and he fell.

The referee decisively called an offensive foul.

Griffin was too eager to exert force, which backfired.

Gordon stood up after a moment.

Nuggets’ offense.

Zeng Xingyang dribbles to the frontcourt.

Zeng Xingyang passes to Jokic and then signals Gordon for a screen.

Gordon moves up, Griffin switches to guard Zeng Xingyang.

Jokic hands the ball to Zeng Xingyang, creating space again.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

Zeng Xingyang, upon receiving the ball, quickly changes direction with low dribbling.

Griffin spreads his arms, scarcely relaxing, but his feet falter a bit.

Zeng Xingyang not only has speed but also agility, consistently controlling the ball firmly.

Left!

Right!

After several shifts, Zeng Xingyang found an opening, accelerating on the left to burst past Griffin.

Neither Little Jordan nor Griffin can keep up with Zeng Xingyang’s pace on the court.

Zeng Xingyang drives inside, as Little Jordan comes for help, Zeng Xingyang looks like he’ll drive right but quickly steps his left foot to the left.

This is a powerfully wide Euro Step.

Once inside, Zeng Xingyang executed an easy layup.

The ball went in.

The next play, Clippers’ offense was blocked once again.

This time, the Nuggets’ increased defensive intensity pressured them until the 24-second mark without touching the rim.

Nuggets’ offense again.

Zeng Xingyang attempted a one-on-one breakthrough on Paul, resulting in a foul.

Upon resetting with a sideline inbounds play, Zeng Xingyang used a feigned inner cut run to deceive Pierce, finding himself a step beyond the three-point line.

With sharp vision, Jokic passed the ball to Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang caught it and launched a long three-pointer.

"Swoosh!"

At the moment Zeng Xingyang’s long three swished through, the lights at the Staples Center brightened suddenly.

The three-pointer pierced through the arc above the court, yet the audience fell into brief silence.

This is Clippers’ home ground, but Zeng Xingyang seemed set to conquer it.

"Too accurate, Xingyang’s touch has returned! Xingyang shot from a meter beyond the three-point line; this is beyond the typical three-point range..." Coach Zhang exclaimed excitedly.

"His shooting motion is extremely stable; his wrist didn’t bend at the moment of flicking the ball," Coach Xu said. "Watch carefully, he utilized Gordon’s screen during the inbounds to create an opening with his counter-movement."

to 96, the lead extends to 8 points.