NBA: Rising Superstar!

Chapter 484 - 396: Showdown with the Rockets (Part 4)

The Rockets are on the attack again.

Paul dribbles to the frontcourt and gives it to Harden on the right side.

Harden initiates a pick-and-roll with Tucker this time.

After the pick-and-roll, Gordon and Brogdon double team Harden.

Harden makes a behind-the-back bounce pass to Tucker.

Aside from being accurate in the corners, Tucker is slightly less accurate from other spots for three-pointers.

Nonetheless, this was an open chance.

He quickly takes a three-point shot.

"Swish!"

It’s in again.

Since the start of the new season, the Nuggets have been winning relatively easily, rarely encountering a team like the Rockets that can go toe-to-toe with their offense.

Even though there are phases in the game where they don’t pull ahead or are at a disadvantage, it’s mostly because the Nuggets haven’t adjusted their posture.

With the Nuggets in great form, the Rockets playing this aggressively brings some defensive pressure on the Nuggets players.

The Rockets team is different from traditional teams; their offense relies on Harden’s strong offensive ability and the team’s crazy outside shooting.

The Nuggets are really not used to defending against them.

The Rockets either have Harden go one-on-one, score in the paint, or find opportunities for threes from the outside. Their strategy is simple, but hard to defend.

Jokic is feeling a bit gloomy today, as Harden frequently isolates him, making him very frustrated.

Harden might seem slow, but his pace is fantastic.

Now the Nuggets are on the offense.

Zeng Xingyang dribbles to the frontcourt and passes to Jokic on the right side.

Jokic holds the ball high and then boxes out Capela.

At this moment, Gordon sets a screen for Zeng Xingyang, pretending to run outside, but actually cuts inside again.

Jokic decisively passes the ball to Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang dribbles once to the right, then uses Ariza’s help defense to spin into the paint.

Tucker comes to help but is ineffective and just becomes part of the background.

Zeng Xingyang hooks the ball with one hand, then slams it down forcefully.

"Bam!!"

A spectacular move finishes with an emphatic dunk over the defenders.

The crowd was stunned by this amazing play.

Soon, Zeng Xingyang surprises everyone even more.

In the frontcourt, Harden initially wants to go one-on-one, but Zeng Xingyang suddenly leaves Paul and directly double teams Harden.

Harden quickly tries to pass the ball, but it’s deflected by Zeng Xingyang.

Intercepted!!

Paul and Ariza rush back on defense, but neither can stop the advancing Zeng Xingyang.

Paul and Ariza try to block Zeng Xingyang, but he powers through.

Zeng Xingyang charges through the defense, then takes three quick steps and leaps high for a clean dunk.

"Bam!"

The basketball is slammed crisply into the hoop.

Seeing the ball go in, Mike Malone calmly sits back with his water bottle.

Mike Malone knows that Zeng Xingyang will handle everything from here.

Ma Long is becoming more like the Zen Master, remaining calm about the game.

On the court, Paul looks resigned at Zeng Xingyang; he never catches a break when facing Zeng Xingyang.

He even feels a little intimidated by Zeng Xingyang now.

The Rockets are on the attack, and Harden challenges Brogdon’s defense to drive inside.

When Gordon tries to steal the ball during the dribble, Harden traps it instead.

Harden draws a foul.

Harden gets the chance to go to the free throw line.

"Swish!"

"Swish!"

The ball is solidly made into the basket.

The cameras focus on Harden, knowing this is now a scoring duel between him and Zeng Xingyang.

Both are putting up points.

Paul watches the dribbling Zeng Xingyang, wanting to shout, "Don’t come over, don’t come over!"

But unfortunately, Zeng Xingyang ignores Paul’s feelings.

As he enters the frontcourt, he coldly motions for isolation.

After his teammates spread out, Zeng Xingyang starts dribbling, seeking rhythm against Paul.

Even though Paul is short, Zeng Xingyang still finds his shooting pace.

Paul tries to match Zeng Xingyang’s rhythm, unsure if he plans to drive past or shoot over him.

Zeng Xingyang hasn’t decided yet; he’s gauging Paul’s defensive moves.

Amidst the dribble moves, Zeng Xingyang opts for a sidestep jumper for three.

After two seasons of honing his pace, Zeng Xingyang has become adept at finding open looks, choosing the most efficient solution.

Seeing Zeng Xingyang ignore him and shoot again, Paul is furious.

But there’s nothing he can do; he reaches out with all his might.

To little effect.

"Swish!!"

Zeng Xingyang’s offense is crucial for the Nuggets, helping maintain their lead.

The Rockets attack.

This time, Harden faces Zeng Xingyang’s defense directly.

Zeng Xingyang’s defense is much more aggressive than Brogdon’s, continuously disrupting Harden’s rhythm.

Harden is wary of drawing a foul haphazardly, knowing he usually gets calls against other players, but not necessarily against Zeng Xingyang.

Harden decides to lean into Zeng Xingyang after a dribble move and then passes out the ball.

Paul receives the pass.

Paul calls Capela up.

Capela steps up to block Brogdon on the switch.

Jokic comes out too.

Jokic wears a frustrated expression.

Paul and Harden are so good at exploiting mismatches; once they get used to your pace, they always find opportunities to beat you.

After several changes of direction, Paul drives to the left; Jokic fails to keep up and gets beaten.

Unlike Harden’s many three-point attempts, Paul tends to shoot more twos.

Paul goes for a stop-and-pop close-range jumper.

The help defender Gordon gets caught off rhythm too.

Paul shoots.

However, just as he releases, Zeng Xingyang rushes from the other side to contest.

"Bam!"

The ball bounces hard off the rim.

Gordon secures the rebound.

While Rockets fans are still marveling at Zeng Xingyang’s excellent help defense, Zeng Xingyang is already sprinting forward at high speed.

Gordon passes the ball to Jokic, who immediately spots the sprinting Zeng Xingyang.

He then sends a long one-handed pass forward.

The fast break is perfectly orchestrated; Jokic showcases his passing ability.

Zeng Xingyang receives the ball and faces only Harden; he smoothly fakes behind his back to bypass Harden, flying to the frontcourt for a tomahawk dunk.

"Bam!!"

"Beautiful fast break offense, the gap is widening, the Nuggets now build their offense around Zeng Xingyang, and Zeng Xingyang’s individual offense is putting tremendous defensive pressure on the Rockets."

Coach Zhang exclaimed.