George Karl's lineup change indeed caught Mike Brown off guard, but he hadn't anticipated Tang Long's ferocity on defense!
On the court.
Melo Anthony actively called for the ball, intending to isolate LeBron James.
The team's offense had been a mess lately, and he couldn't stand watching anymore!
Facing James, Anthony repeatedly tested him with a triple threat. He faked right and then drove to the basket!
His speed was incredible, and James could only barely keep up.
Anthony suddenly stopped and pulled up for a jump shot, the ball swishing cleanly through the net.
67:67!
The score was tied!
Anthony had stepped up in a crucial moment!
The fans were on the edge of their seats. The third quarter was past the halfway mark, and the game remained this intense.
The Cavaliers had James with the ball, and he was also looking to isolate Anthony.
He faked right and drove, just like Anthony. However, James didn't opt for a pull-up jumper. Instead, he muscled his way to the basket and went for a layup.
The ball spun around the rim and, unfortunately, rolled out.
[Absolute Rebound] activated!
Tang Long, on the other side, had already positioned himself behind Marcus Camby and snatched the ball like a monkey reaching for the moon.
He followed it up with a two-handed dunk!
"It's China Tang again! He's completely dominating both ends of the court tonight!"
"His nose for rebounds is always terrifying! I can't imagine anyone out-rebounding him?"
"I still believe the Cavaliers will win this game. Their rebounding numbers are far superior to their opponents!"
"The Nuggets are only tied right now because of their accurate outside shooting!"
J.R. Smith boldly made a prediction for the game, all because the Cavaliers had Tang Long!
On the court, Tang Long arrogantly patted his chest and roared at the sky.
He too was getting fired up!
Possession changed hands, and Iverson brought the ball up.
As soon as he crossed half-court, he was met with a double-team again.
There was no choice but to pass it out, this time to Anthony on the left.
He wasn't a ball-stopper and immediately swung it to J.R. on the baseline.
They still chose to trust their teammates.
J.R. caught the ball, took a quick look at Tang Long's position, and decided to shoot a three-pointer.
Tang Long wasn't there to help on defense this time, as Kenyon Martin and Marcus Camby had set a screen away from the ball, and he couldn't get there in time.
J.R. didn't let his teammates down, sinking the three-pointer.
The Nuggets retook the lead!
70:67!
On the sidelines.
Mike Brown sighed, the Nuggets' shooting touch was truly incredible today.
"Tang, come to the right side and isolate!"
On the court, James rearranged the players' positions.
He had Drew Gooden and Tang Long on either side of the paint, with the two guards at the forty-five-degree angles.
He himself stood at the top of the key.
Previously, James was positioned closer to the baseline, making it easier for him to drive from the corner.
The drawback was that it allowed Kenyon Martin to double-team him.
With the new spacing, any double-team would have to come from Iverson or J.R. on the perimeter.
This would open up chances for Larry Hughes and Pavlović, who would be left open.
Tang Long received the pass and went to work in the low post.
J.R. was decisive and immediately stepped up to double-team him.
"Tang! Over here!"
Pavlović immediately raised his hand to signal.
Tang Long ignored him, his strong hands protecting the ball from J.R.'s attempt to strip it. He powered his way back, using his strength.
Once in the paint, he made a strong turn, pushed Marcus Camby out of bounds, and took off. In the air, he spun 180 degrees and slammed the ball into the basket with force!
[Demolishing Hammer]
"Oh my god! China Tang is furious! You guys better not mess with him!"
"His signature dunk is back! A mid-air 180-degree slam!"
"And this was with a double-team! Neither Marcus Camby nor J.R. could stop him!"
J.R. Smith's eyes widened. This was the first time Tang Long had used [Demolishing Hammer] in this game.
On the perimeter, Pavlović raised both hands in celebration!
Why pass?
Just attack himself!
Carmelo Anthony's face darkened, and he called for the ball.
He was once again ready to lead the team with his exceptional individual skill.
"LeBron, same as usual. Lock down his shot, and I'll take care of the drive!"
James nodded slightly, getting closer to Anthony by a step.
Anthony immediately put the ball on the floor, executing his classic explosive crossover and half-turn. He followed it up with a stylish step-back three-pointer!
James reacted quickly, doing his best to contest the shot.
The ball bounced off the rim a few times before finally rolling out.
Anthony shook his head; luck wasn't on his side today.
Possession changed hands, and the Cavaliers' strategy remained the same: Tang Long in the post.
Tang Long put the ball on the floor and suddenly noticed that the double-team had shifted from J.R. to Kenyon Martin.
He immediately drove hard and spun, throwing the ball to the other side of the basket.
If Kenyon Martin was coming to double-team, then Drew Gooden must be open.
Gooden received Tang Long's pass and hit a layup off the glass.
"That… vision? Tang saw Drew Gooden on the other side while being double-teamed?"
"Is Tang perhaps the Magic Johnson of centers? I didn't even spot Drew Gooden's open look from a bird's-eye view!"
"I think the Nuggets are better off not having Kenyon Martin double-team so easily. They've underestimated Tang's vision!"
The fans erupted in cheers. Although Gooden had scored the go-ahead basket, most of the credit belonged to Tang Long.
Tang Long secretly thought he was lucky.
When he saw Kenyon Martin, he had just gambled, assuming Drew Gooden was unguarded.
Even though he had integrated Murasakibara Atsushi's abilities, Tang Long didn't yet have top-tier vision. That would require him to redeem ability points from the system store.
Fortunately, his gamble paid off, and he even tricked the Nuggets!
James also widened his eyes. "Tang, since when do you have such great passing vision?"
Tang Long chuckled and remained silent.
71:70
The Cavaliers had taken the lead.
On the Nuggets' side, Anthony was still isolating. This time, he still didn't dare to drive, opting for an outside jump shot.
Perhaps it was LeBron's outstanding defense, or maybe his shooting touch had completely gone cold.
This shot was cursed; it bounced off the rim again.
Tang Long easily secured the rebound and passed it to James to advance the ball.
Upon reaching the frontcourt, James gave it to Tang Long without a word.
Another post-up!
On the sideline.
George Karl sighed in frustration. Why was the Cavaliers' strategy so similar to the 2001 Lakers?
Shaquille O'Neal would post up and either score himself or pass to Kobe on the perimeter.
The Cavaliers' playing style was almost identical, with Tang Long inside and James outside.
He had no idea how to set up a defensive strategy.
On the court.
Tang Long faced a double-team from J.R. and Marcus Camby and delivered another powerful dunk!
The Demolishing Hammer reappeared!
The ball seemed to deform as Tang Long's massive hands brutally slammed it through the hoop, crushing the spirits of the Nuggets players.
73:70
Marcus Camby couldn't withstand Tang Long's power, even falling to the ground.
He had played basketball for over a decade, but he had never felt so desperate as he did today.
Tang Long was like a demon reborn on the court.
Go to hell with your basketball dreams!