CHAPTER 442: CHAPTER 354: PAUL WHO WANTS TO WIN

At the post-game press conference, Zeng Xingyang continued to praise the opponent: "The Clippers are a very strong team, their fighting spirit and tactical execution are admirable." His eyes showed respect for his opponent, "The NBA has always been a place where miracles are created, and we, the Nuggets, must not be careless. We struggled to win G3, and for the next game, we still need to go all out, or we might end up witnessing a miracle by the opponent."

However, the Clippers didn’t believe they could create a miracle anymore.

In the Clippers’ training facility, the atmosphere was so oppressive that one could hardly breathe. If they could make a comeback after trailing 0-3, Paul wouldn’t be the Paul who has longed to reach the Western Conference Finals.

Paul sat alone in the corner, taking big bites, his eyes filled with exhaustion and reluctance.

In Game 4, the Clippers had no room to retreat, and this game was more like a battle for their dignity.

If they lose again, they truly would have no face left.

Game 4 day.

Clippers fans entered the arena early.

Clippers fans watched the game with a pessimistic attitude.

"Do you think we still have a chance?"

"There’s nothing we can do, that Chinese player is too strong, we can’t stop him."

Inside the Staples Center, the faces of the fans were full of worry, and they whispered to each other, expressing concerns about the team’s prospects.

Facing the Nuggets led by this season’s MVP, Zeng Xingyang, the Clippers appeared to be opponents with no resistance. Zeng Xingyang wasn’t just fierce during the regular season, he was also very fierce in the playoffs, bringing this intensity into the second round.

Especially after entering the playoffs, Zeng Xingyang was the league’s most dazzling star, neither James nor Durant, nor Curry, could compare to him.

Chinese fans and Nuggets fans both believe that the Nuggets, led by Zeng Xingyang, have the conditions to win the championship this season.

"I don’t care where they’ve reached, I just want to deal with our current opponent." Durant said in an interview after a Warriors game, when asked about the possibility of the Nuggets sweeping, his tone carried a hint of indifference.

Ever since Durant found out about Scarlett and Zeng Xingyang being together, his heart had broken.

He only focused on the Warriors’ games and opponents, automatically blocking out the word Zeng Xingyang!

Otherwise, every time he thought of Zeng Xingyang, he felt like Scarlett might be pinned down by him...

As for a potential encounter in the Western Conference Finals? He’ll deal with it when it happens.

Durant felt that every time he faced Zeng Xingyang, he would suffer.

On the Clippers’ side, Rivers had a lot to worry about.

In the locker room, he paced back and forth, furrowing his brow. Although it seemed like it was Zeng Xingyang’s outstanding performance that led to Clippers’ loss, Rivers knew very well it was because of the overall strength of the Nuggets.

Zeng Xingyang had a strong group of teammates to share the pressure, which allowed him to score 35+35 in G2 and made the Clippers not dare to double-team him in G3, letting him score 60+ with a super triple-double.

If the other Nuggets players weren’t so strong, they could target Zeng Xingyang more easily, but because they are strong overall, it’s hard to target them.

Defending Zeng Xingyang always requires choices, and it’s just a matter of making the right or wrong choice.

In Game 4, when the public thought it would be easy for the Nuggets, they continued the arduous battle.

Clippers haven’t given up, and right at the start of the game, the Staples Center was filled with deafening cheers, with Clippers fans trying to use their enthusiasm to hit the Nuggets.

Zeng Xingyang was double-teamed from the start of the game.

The Clippers still believed that other Nuggets players couldn’t take them down, forcing Zeng Xingyang to pass the ball.

As per the first three quarters, Rivers’ double-teaming Zeng Xingyang was indeed effective.

The Nuggets clearly relaxed a bit, they handled the ball somewhat casually on the outside, leading to multiple fast breaks for the Clippers.

"Well, still nothing, Aaron Gordon attempted 7 three-pointers today, and didn’t make a single one." In the TNT Studio, Barkley shook his head helplessly.

"Nikola Jokic keeps complaining about the referees." Smith took over, watching the situation on the court intently.

"The Nuggets seem somewhat fatigued, and this fatigue isn’t just physical but also mental. In the consecutive playoff intense matches, players cannot always maintain a tense state, and mental relaxation will occur." Barkley spoke again with a heavy expression.

"Once this kind of mental relaxation appears, it’s hard to correct." Smith added.

The Nuggets’ fatigue was easy to see.

On the court, defensive attention wasn’t focused, getting beaten and having low shooting percentages.

Jokic, Butler, Gordon, and others took many shots, but their percentages were mediocre.

The Clippers’ strategy was very clear, which was to force Zeng Xingyang to pass the ball.

The Nuggets barely maintained a lead in the first quarter, but by the second quarter, the Clippers took control, and by the third, the advantage was completely on the Clippers’ side.

At 5 seconds left in the third quarter, the score was 76 to 89, with the Nuggets trailing by 13 points.

The ball was still with the Clippers. Paul played brilliantly today, receiving the ball in the backcourt with a determined look in his eyes.

After receiving the inbound pass, he quickly changed direction, disrupting Zeng Xingyang’s rhythm, and just as he crossed half court, he pushed a long three-pointer. The basketball soared through the sky in the white light.

"Swish!"

to 92. Paul’s buzzer-beater three brought the Clippers to their largest lead of the series.

Paul changed from the frustration he felt in the first three games against Zeng Xingyang, showing what chasing the Western Conference Finals dream should be like, scoring 28 points in the first three quarters, with much more individual offense compared to the first three games.

The Clippers rarely led by 16 points entering the final quarter.

Despite leading by such a margin, Clippers fans were not at ease, as Rivers seemed to have a habit of being reversed. Not worried when not leading by much, but the bigger the lead, the more worried they were.

In the arena, fans whispered to each other, their eyes full of unease.

"Zeng Xingyang’s performance today is mediocre, only scoring 30 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds." Coach Zhang said from the commentary booth, eyes locked on Zeng Xingyang on the court, "The Clippers’ targeted setup made it tough for Xingyang too."

"Of course, we can’t expect Xingyang to do more, he passed a lot to the outside, but his teammates just couldn’t make the shots." He continued, trying to explain the reason for the huge deficit.

"Let’s see in the upcoming fourth quarter if Xingyang can lead the team to complete the final comeback." Thinking about the Nuggets in the fourth quarter, his eyes were once again filled with anticipation.

This season’s Nuggets have fulfilled so many of Coach Zhang’s fantasies, making it seem that the Nuggets have the confidence to win against any opponent!