Chapter 435: Chapter 347: 25 Points and 25 Assists in Three Quarters!
Overall, in the second quarter, Zeng Xingyang’s personal offense was a bit less; he was more focused on linking up the team.
By the end of the first half, the Clippers’ explosive performance somewhat caught the Nuggets off guard.
Crawford scored 24 points by halftime, leaving Butler quite embarrassed.
Paul also played well in the second quarter, mainly increasing his assists, achieving a data of 12 points and 8 rebounds.
Of course, besides Zeng Xingyang, Jokic also performed well for the Nuggets, achieving 14 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks.
Butler’s defense today was mediocre, but he scored 14 points, mostly through inner cuts or mismatches.
Barkley didn’t praise Zeng Xingyang, but instead lauded Crawford: "Sixth was amazing today, he was constantly in rhythm on the court, single-handedly breaking down the Nuggets’ defense. The Nuggets mustn’t be complacent; the Clippers aren’t an average team. If you underestimate them, you’ll pay the price of losing."
Smith said: "Charles, you need to acknowledge Zeng’s excellence; he already has a stat line of 15+16 by halftime, which is incredibly unbelievable."
Zeng Xingyang achieved 15 points, 16 assists, performing moderately well.
In the second quarter, Zeng Xingyang didn’t score much either; he mainly led the team’s offense with passing waves.
During halftime.
Almost every commentator was praising how well the Clippers played in the first half.
The Clippers seemed to glimpse the chance to defeat the Nuggets.
As long as the Nuggets play at the same level as the second quarter in the second half, then losing would be natural.
Despite the outside praise for the Clippers, inside the locker room, Zeng Xingyang didn’t feel the Clippers had a chance to beat the Nuggets.
If Crawford played like that every quarter, he wouldn’t be a substitute but a starter.
Of course, they couldn’t afford to be complacent.
In the locker room.
Mike Malone shouted at everyone: "Double-team Jamal, this is our turf, we can’t let him have his way."
"They think being 2 points behind is a win; we need to show them they’re far from truly winning."
"Get excited and teach them a lesson."
After Mike Malone shouted, Zeng Xingyang proactively stood up and yelled, "Focus and show them what we got."
"Beat them down!"
"Beat them down!"
Under Zeng Xingyang’s lead, the Nuggets players were all getting ready.
Butler smiled as he looked at Zeng Xingyang.
This is why he respects Zeng Xingyang.
Zeng Xingyang isn’t just very strong; he also motivates his teammates off the court.
After the start of the second half, the Nuggets’ defensive intensity quickly escalated.
Everyone was moving their feet quickly, shouting.
This put the Clippers’ offense in trouble; Crawford’s magic was gone, and he was directly silenced.
The Clippers were relying on Griffin’s scoring under the basket.
However, the Nuggets’ shooting touch wasn’t great either, they didn’t lead by much.
minutes and 23 seconds.
Zeng Xingyang was facing Paul in the right low post, starting to back him down.
After several bumps, Zeng Xingyang chose to turn and shoot.
Paul couldn’t create much interference for Zeng Xingyang.
"Swish!"
Zeng Xingyang made it neatly.
minutes and 34 seconds.
Zeng Xingyang on the left side beat Bamot one-on-one and came to the basket against Griffin.
Zeng Xingyang was charging in; he had the advantage in confrontation, committing Griffin’s foul while making the basket.
It was a very tough and-one.
At 5 minutes and 11 seconds.
Zeng Xingyang on the right side faced Griffin one-on-one, after a big move in front, he accelerated to charge in on the left.
The Clippers’ defense was quickly compressed, Zeng Xingyang’s continuous attacks forced their defense to focus on him.
Zeng Xingyang, while moving, passed the ball to the cutting Gordon.
Defending Gordon was Redick.
Redick’s defense couldn’t significantly interfere with Gordon.
Gordon leaned into Redick, spun, gathered the ball, and took off.
Step up to the heavens.
One hand grabbed the basketball and slammed it hard.
"Bang!"
Zeng Xingyang and Gordon completed the connection.
In the next possession.
Zeng Xingyang still held the ball two steps outside the right three-point line, while Gordon cut along the baseline.
When the Clippers defenders thought about what way Zeng Xingyang would finish,
Zeng Xingyang sent a lead pass to Gordon.
Gordon showcased his supreme dunker’s flair, stepping up while spinning.
Caught the basketball with both hands, dunked it fiercely into the hoop.
"Bang!"
A 180-degree back dunk.
Zeng Xingyang and Gordon connected again.
A lot of amazement.
Gordon hung from the hoop with one hand, pointing at Zeng Xingyang with the other, indicating the excellent pass.
Every time Zeng Xingyang delivers such a pass, Gordon gets very excited.
Their wonderful coordination wasn’t over yet.
On the next possession, Jokic held the ball at the top of the arc, and Zeng Xingyang cut diagonally.
Jokic, while moving, passed the ball to Zeng Xingyang.
Griffin and Little Jordan were again attracted by Zeng Xingyang.
Zeng Xingyang made a realistic fake shoot and real no-look pass to the left side Gordon.
Gordon took off for another two-handed slam after a double-hit.
"Bang!!"
"Timeout!!"
The continuous three dunk collaboration between Zeng Xingyang and Gordon totally ignited the atmosphere on the scene.
"Isn’t this the legendary brother basketball, so much chemistry."
"It seems Gordon got sick of finishing lobs since coming from the Magic to the Nuggets."
"Only Gordon can execute such crazy dunks."
"Jokic has made the most assists to Zeng Xingyang, and Zeng Xingyang has made the most assists to Gordon."
This season, fans watching the Nuggets games have been treated to plenty of visual feasts.
Zeng Xingyang and Jokic both execute some very pleasing passes.
After the timeout,
Zeng Xingyang continued in the mode of linking up the whole team, occasionally stepping up to score himself.
On the Clippers’ side, they started finding their shooting touch outside, with Redick and Paul hitting some buzzer-beating threes.
These incredible shots helped the Clippers stay close on the scoreboard.
The Clippers were also playing like madmen on defense, with Paul’s diving save and Griffin falling to the ground and hugging with Jokic for a ball.
When the Nuggets’ second unit came on, the Clippers still played their core players, allowing them to gradually pull the score close.
By the end of the third quarter, the score between the two teams was 105 to 110.
The Nuggets only had a 5-point lead.
By the end of the third quarter, Zeng Xingyang already had a stats line of 25 points and 25 assists.
This was an extremely crazy stat line.
"Three quarters 25+25, it’s an unbelievably insane performance. Zeng Xingyang’s scoring and assisting are the same."
"This quarter is Zeng Xingyang’s showtime."
"I think the Clippers are more respectable, even with Zeng Xingyang playing like this, they haven’t collapsed."
"The Nuggets’ starting defense is decent, but the bench defense is pretty bad, though of course, the Clippers’ shooting touch is mainly on fire."
Fans were chatting and discussing.