Chapter 423: Chapter 335, G2 (2)
On the court, the Nuggets launched another attack. Zeng Xingyang dribbled to the frontcourt position and first passed the ball to Jokic.
"Spread out, everyone spread out." Jokic’s voice was steady and powerful, directing his teammates’ positioning, his gaze swiftly scanning the situation on the court, creating space on the line.
The Grizzlies players were all trying their best to position and chase their respective defenders, the sounds of passing and running echoing throughout the court.
The Nuggets’ last game had already proven their strategy was highly team-oriented. If Jokic found an opportunity, he would definitely deliver a crucial assist.
Jokic isn’t the type of center who only thinks about passing to Zeng Xingyang; he plays out the Nuggets’ tactics in the most reasonable way.
This season, Jokic’s value is increasingly recognized by the league.
Jokic has completely changed the role positioning of modern centers. Even though Zeng Xingyang is the team leader, Jokic is undoubtedly the "tactical brain" of the Nuggets offense. He activates the whole team through high post facilitation and low post passing.
His mismatch one-on-one plays are extremely threatening; he uses his height advantage to overpower opponents in the low post, with very high efficiency.
During pick-and-roll, he often feigns a cut-in but actually pops out to the three-point line to shoot, with a very stable three-point accuracy.
Moreover, he often completes hand-off plays smoothly with Zeng Xingyang and Butler.
This tactical diversity makes the Nuggets’ offensive efficiency the highest in the league.
Jokic’s passing vision can even break elite defenses, for instance, during the third matchup against the Warriors this season, Jokic used a fake post-up and real corner pass strategy to create open three-point chances for Pope multiple times, thus completely crushing the Warriors.
Jokic’s value to the Nuggets has surpassed the role of an ordinary second-in-command, and his skill is strong yet he doesn’t steal the limelight, fully allowing the spotlight to gather on the team’s star, Zeng Xingyang.
There are very few second-in-commands like him in the league.
This possession, Jokic took a step out to hand the ball to Zeng Xingyang.
Immediately after the handoff, Jokic formed a screen, Zeng Xingyang didn’t hesitate at all, using the screen, he pushed off with both feet, his body springing up, and the basketball in his hand followed suit.
Little Gasol did his utmost to try and block, but he didn’t have the speed, couldn’t keep up in time.
It wasn’t that Little Gasol’s defense wasn’t strong enough, it was just that Zeng Xingyang and Jokic’s pick-and-roll was too sharp.
As long as Zeng Xingyang has space, he can shoot, and such shots are extremely accurate.
Amidst a deafening cheer.
"Swish!" The basketball pierced through the net.
to 23.
Zeng Xingyang had scored 6 consecutive points.
After making this three-point shot, Zeng Xingyang waved his hand, continuing to lead his teammates to press on defense.
The defensive intensity of the Nuggets completely rose, they were like a copper wall blocking the Grizzlies from breaking through.
Conley crossed half-court this time and passed the ball to Little Gasol.
Little Gasol wanted to find an open spot for his teammates immediately.
However, the Nuggets’ rotational defense was too fast; Butler, who had just gone to double-team Conley, quickly returned to his position.
Little Gasol passed the ball to Chandler Parsons.
Facing Pope’s stifling defense, Chandler Parsons made a decisive move and passed the ball to Randolph after a step-through.
Although Randolph has a weight advantage, Gordon is too athletic, his position wasn’t good, making it hard for him.
Randolph could only spread out the space, then passed the ball to Little Gasol.
Jokic was guarding Little Gasol at the free-throw line.
Little Gasol realized that facing Jokic at this point was the best chance to attack; his teammates weren’t reliable, so after hesitating he chose to back down Jokic, then pushed in two steps to make a hook shot.
Jokic kept his posture steady; he wasn’t afraid of the center’s attack like this, he could interfere with the opponent’s shot.
Little Gasol didn’t have much confidence in this shot either; it wasn’t his preferred method of scoring.
"Bang!" The ball hit the rim heavily and bounced up.
The rebound was secured by Gordon, who dribbled it across half-court himself, then passed to Jokic.
Zeng Xingyang was on the other side positioning at this moment.
Pope and Butler took turns setting screens for Zeng Xingyang, shaking off Tony Allen and Conley.
Zeng Xingyang found space on the right side at a 45-degree angle, Chandler Parsons was slightly slow.
Jokic’s pass seemed to have eyes, it quickly reached Zeng Xingyang’s hands. Zeng Xingyang jumped up upon receiving the ball, with a light flick of the wrist, the basketball arced beautifully.
"Swish!"
to 26.
"Timeout!!"
The Grizzlies coach was despairing, waving his arms, shouting himself hoarse calling a stop to the game.
In Zeng Xingyang’s eyes, the basket seemed as vast as the ocean.
If Zeng Xingyang finds the correct rhythm for shooting threes like this, he becomes very hard to restrict.
"Fearsome three-point shooting ability."
"Can’t stop him, truly can’t stop him."
"There’s no way."
"This rhythm is very steady, Zeng Xingyang suddenly stepped up."
The fans discussed fervently.
During the regular season, many fans had already witnessed Zeng Xingyang’s scoring explosiveness, and now they were seeing it again in the playoffs.
Each was extremely excited.
But the madness brought by Zeng Xingyang wasn’t over yet.
After the timeout.
Old Carter came on, while Tony Allen came off.
Conley brought the ball across half-court.
Zeng Xingyang continued to lead his teammates in providing high-intensity defense.
Even though Conley brought the ball to the top of the arc, he still faced the same problem as before, he couldn’t pass the ball effectively.
The Nuggets applied tremendous pressure.
Conley dribbled to the frontcourt, then passed the ball to the right side to Carter.
Carter chose to directly hold the ball and charge at Butler.
Carter’s decisiveness caught Butler off guard, Butler was bypassed by Carter.
Carter took three slow steps and forced a layup.
At the moment Carter thought the shot was certain.
Two figures came rushing over from the other side.
"Slap!"
It was Zeng Xingyang and Gordon, both predicted this shot’s finishing style.
They concurrently completed the block.
The ball fell and was controlled by Jokic.
Carter watched this happen with a face full of helplessness.
The era no longer belonged to him.
If it had been when he was younger, he certainly would have finished with a dunk; Gordon and Zeng Xingyang wouldn’t even have had a chance to block it!
Zhang Weiping also lamented, "Carter has grown old, he can’t fly anymore."
Xu Jicheng said, "The Nuggets’ talent is extremely strong, Carter choosing this kind of finishing was reckless."
The Nuggets’ fast break came again on the court.
Jokic quickly dribbled, Zeng Xingyang also accelerated a sprint.
After Jokic reached the frontcourt, Zeng Xingyang arrived at the right side 45-degree position.
Jokic passed the ball to Zeng Xingyang.
The instant Zeng Xingyang received the ball he faked a shot.
He immediately got Conley, who was chasing back, up in the air.
Then he took a three-point shot in the counterattack himself.
The basketball arced beautifully.
"Swish!"
A shot right to the heart!!
to 29.
Zeng Xingyang’s frenzy continued, he scored 12 consecutive points and led the team to extend the lead to double digits.