NBA: Rising Superstar!

Chapter 491 - 403: G1 Dominant Victory (Part 2)

Popovich clearly followed the previous strategy, using Aldridge’s advantage to break through.

Mike Malone isn’t worried. You might get 30 points from Aldridge, but who else is going to score?

Can you really compete with us in offense? Mike Malone is incredibly confident.

The Nuggets are on the attack again.

Zeng Xingyang dribbles past half court, then passes the ball outside, quickly receiving it back.

Zeng Xingyang initiates a pick-and-roll with Jokic, pulling Pau Gasol out after the screen.

Zeng Xingyang makes a bounce pass to Jokic for a low-post one-on-one against Tony Parker.

The Nuggets are targeting specific matchups, not just the Spurs.

The Nuggets are targeting Tony Parker now.

The Spurs have always been a team characterized by frugality, not willing to spend big on star players, which leads them to play high-value players until they lose their value.

Tony Parker now lacks his peak presence and is merely a defensive liability.

Jokic backs down Tony Parker, forcing space with a strong bump, then scoops the ball for a layup.

Parker is shoved aside, unable to react at all.

to 5.

Jokic is rock solid in mismatched offense.

Jokic scores on smaller players more reliably than Zeng Xingyang scores on bigger players, mainly because bigger players are closer to the basket.

In the next play, the Spurs want to play through Aldridge again, but the Nuggets deny him.

Zeng Xingyang and Gordon double-team, and Aldridge passes outside to Parker.

Parker’s three-point shooting has improved, but he’s still not a shooter, and Zeng Xingyang’s quick footwork puts pressure on him.

"Bang!"

Parker’s three-point attempt hits heavily on the rim.

The rebound is controlled by Gordon.

Gordon brings the ball to the frontcourt and passes to the cutting Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang doesn’t let the Spurs catch their breath, quickly passing to Jokic at the free throw line, then calls Gordon for a screen while cutting in at an angle, and Jokic backs down Pau Gasol one step and passes to Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang receives the ball, collides with the chasing Danny Green, forcibly creates space, then goes up for a shot on the move.

The basketball bounces off the board and into the basket.

"Boom!"

"Swish!"

.....

In the next few plays, the Spurs’ offense is blocked like constipation, with very low success rates, while the Nuggets demonstrate exceptional form and efficiency in attack from the start of the game.

Jokic dominates the inside, Zeng Xingyang shoots from the outside, both launching relentless assaults on the Spurs’ defense.

The fans at the Pepsi Center in Denver cheer continuously.

Once the rotations come in, the Nuggets’ offensive pressure eases a bit.

The Spurs’ rotation isn’t bad either, fighting hard against the Nuggets on the court.

After the first quarter, the score is 22 to 35, with the Nuggets ahead by 13 points.

The Denver fans had great anticipation for this game, considering it an emotional showdown, but didn’t expect the current Spurs to be a different class altogether compared to the Nuggets.

In Zeng Xingyang’s past life, the Spurs’ descent began this year, transitioning into a rebuilding phase, with Leonard later traded to the Raptors to help them win a championship, while the Spurs tanked repeatedly to acquire Wembanyama...

Now, the Spurs find it very difficult to pose problems for the Nuggets.

The start of the second quarter sees both sides in a stalemate, but once the Nuggets’ main lineup returns, the Spurs struggle to resist their barrage.

Zeng Xingyang and Jokic excel in both set plays and fast breaks.

Their coordination is seamless, rapidly driving the Nuggets’ offensive rhythm.

Spurs’ players are repeatedly overwhelmed by the Nuggets’ fast breaks.

Second quarter, 4 minutes and 32 seconds.

Zeng Xingyang and Jokic double-team Pau Gasol, with Jokic cutting the ball and Zeng Xingyang controlling it.

Both sprint forward quickly, Zeng Xingyang charges into the Spurs’ paint, drawing defenders before executing a behind-the-head pass to Jokic cutting in.

Facing an open look, Jokic rises for a two-handed dunk.

As a center, Jokic rarely dunks, even teasing kids in training camp that he can’t dunk.

Jokic only dunks when extremely relaxed or excited, and now he is undeniably very relaxed.

Next play, the Spurs are on the offensive again.

Tony Parker dribbles across the frontcourt, initiating a double screen with Pau Gasol, delaying Zeng Xingyang.

Parker shifts and breaks through.

If he were in his prime, this kind of drive would be hard to stop.

But that’s no longer the case; Parker is delayed by Pope’s help defense, and when he finally spins to rise for a layup...

Zeng Xingyang is back.

That’s when Parker encounters a nightmare.

Parker attempts a floater, but the airborne basketball is snatched midair with both hands by Zeng Xingyang.

After the block, Zeng Xingyang initiates another Nuggets fast break.

Pope sprints forward, and Zeng Xingyang makes a long pass to him.

Pope calmly lays it in.

The Nuggets are playing like a leisure basketball squad; if it weren’t for White and the hard efforts of Kyle Anderson rallying scores, the Nuggets might clock out at halftime.

Now it’s virtually impossible for the Spurs to stage a comeback relying on role players.

In the third quarter, the Nuggets continue their relentless bombardment, and the Spurs keep falling back.

The third quarter ends with a score of 68 to 102, the Nuggets leading by a massive 34 points at home.

Zeng Xingyang tallies 33 points, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds over three quarters!

Jokic achieves a triple-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Popovich doesn’t hesitate and puts in the rotation lineup at the start of the fourth quarter, conceding the game.

Mike Malone respects the unwritten rules and lets Zeng Xingyang and Jokic rest on the bench.

Although Mike Malone dislikes the Spurs, he worries that violating the unwritten rules might lead to foul play against his key players.

The Spurs are capable of anything.

The fourth quarter ends with a final score of 92 to 132, the Nuggets achieving a 40-point blowout victory over the Spurs in Game 1!

Popovich’s face is notably dark; this game proves that his pre-match antics were futile, like a clown with no impact.

Before the game, Popovich hoped to steal a home win, but now has resigned to hoping their series loss won’t be too embarrassing.

In the post-game interview, a reporter asks Butler for his thoughts on tonight’s match.

Butler candidly declares, "I feel tonight’s intensity was lower than our practice games. We’ll easily achieve a 4-0 record."

With a game performance of 6 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, Butler’s confidence is sky-high!