Chapter 376: Chapter 288: Starting with 8 consecutive victories, dominating the entire league!
The final whistle sounded, and the Nuggets players joyfully embraced each other, while the Blazers players walked dejectedly off the court.
In this game, Zeng Xingyang scored 30 points, 16 assists, 4 rebounds; Jokic had 22 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists; Butler added 14 points, 8 assists; Gordon had 12 points, 5 rebounds.
Zeng Xingyang and Jokic’s stats might not look spectacular mainly because they once again clocked out after three quarters. In such a short time, it’s hard to rack up impressive numbers.
The reason the Nuggets won so easily is that the whole team maintained a high intensity on the court throughout the game.
From the start of the game, Zeng Xingyang and Jokic exploded, leading the team to an advantage.
Then, when the second lineup came in, they continued to maintain the same explosive offensive efficiency, and on defense, they virtually surrounded Lillard and McCollum from start to finish.
The cameras repeatedly caught Zeng Xingyang chatting and laughing with Jokic off the court; at this moment, many media and fans could sense that Zeng Xingyang already had the superstar aura.
The Blazers are indeed a playoff-level team, but they had no power to fight back in front of the Nuggets. This gap was visible to the naked eye.
After defeating the Blazers, the Nuggets went on to win 6 consecutive games, smoothly starting the season with an eight-game winning streak.
The only other team in the league to maintain an undefeated record like the Nuggets is the Warriors with Durant.
The process of these eight victories by the Nuggets was filled with passion and zeal.
In the game against the Raptors, the Raptors initially, relying on tough defense and sharp offense, went head-to-head with the Nuggets. In the first quarter, Raptors’ star DeRozan performed excellently, scoring consecutively in the paint, helping the Raptors lead the Nuggets 37-34 by a narrow margin.
The Raptors fans at the scene cheered excitedly, thinking their team could upset the mighty Nuggets.
However, starting from the second quarter, the Nuggets gradually showcased their formidable strength.
Zeng Xingyang began to exert his strength, hitting consecutive three-pointers from the outside, leading the team on a 15-5 mini-climax.
"Zeng! He’s stepping up again! Consecutive three-point shots ignite the Nuggets’ offensive firepower!"
"Zeng, this season he definitely has a chance to compete for MVP!"
Under Zeng Xingyang’s leadership, the Nuggets gradually overtook the score and led the Raptors 69-62 by halftime.
The second half continued to be fiercely contested. Raptors’ Lowry hit a crucial three-pointer in the third quarter, tying the game.
However, Jokic stood out for the Nuggets, consistently scoring in the paint, drawing fouls, and hitting free throws steadily. He also made several clever passes to help his teammates score.
By the end of the third quarter, the Nuggets led the Raptors 98-91 by 7 points again.
In the final quarter, the Raptors launched a last-ditch counterattack.
Their defense reached its highest intensity, narrowing the gap to 3 points at one point. But then Butler hit a key three-pointer for the Nuggets, stabilizing the situation.
Afterward, Zeng Xingyang and Jokic led the team, gradually widening the score gap. In the end, the Nuggets narrowly defeated the Raptors 121-112.
In the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Nuggets once again demonstrated their strong dominance. The game started with the Nuggets quickly getting into form. Zeng Xingyang and Jokic coordinated well inside and outside, scoring frequently.
In the first quarter, the Nuggets led the Minnesota Timberwolves 34-26 by 8 points.
The Nuggets fans on site cheered excitedly, believing their team could win easily.
However, the Minnesota Timberwolves did not give up easily. In the second quarter, they intensified their defense and also executed smooth coordination on offense.
In the second half, the Nuggets continued to extend their lead. Jokic had a dominant performance in the third quarter, scoring continuously in the paint and dishing out multiple assists, leading the team to expand the lead to 15 points.
Though the Minnesota Timberwolves mounted a comeback in the final quarter, the Nuggets’ defense was very solid, giving the opponents no chance. In the end, the Nuggets defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 118-111.
In this game, the Nuggets once again showcased their formidable power; their offense and defense left their opponents unable to cope.
During this eight-game winning streak, only the Raptors and the Minnesota Timberwolves managed to keep their losing margin in single digits; all other teams lost by margins of over 20 points.
Zeng Xingyang, Jokic, and Butler led the new Nuggets, dominating the league with an unstoppable demeanor.
Are there problems with the Nuggets? What problems would there be?
This is what Zeng Xingyang firmly believes; all problems will be solved as the season progresses.
As long as they keep winning, those dissenting voices will be silenced. Any problem that affects the team’s winning will resolve itself.
Watching the Nuggets’ games now is straightforward; in the first quarter, Zeng Xingyang and Jokic make an effort, pulling the score apart slightly, and then Butler comes with his rookies to continue the work.
In the second quarter, Zeng Xingyang and Jokic with the other starters continue to push hard, while Butler with the rookie group strives to maintain the lead.
In the third quarter, all the Nuggets players push hard, maintaining a high-intensity offensive and defensive rhythm, crushing the opponents in one go. The opponents usually manage to resist in the first half, but they can’t hold on by the third quarter.
The scary thing about the Nuggets now is they can maintain high-intensity offense and defense for an entire game; every player coming onto the court is eager for victory.
So by the fourth quarter, Jokic might occasionally joke with the referee off-court. Zeng Xingyang might occasionally take selfies with the girls in the back row, showing his relaxed side. Butler would substitute for Mike Malone on the sidelines, directing the substitutes on the court...
The Nuggets’ start to the new season is incredibly strong, and the exposure of the Nuggets players’ names has also greatly increased. With each victory accumulating, the Nuggets have become the focus of attention across the league, with each of their games highly anticipated.
In the ninth game, the Nuggets traveled to Boston to challenge the Celtics.
Before the game, a reporter asked Little Thomas whether he could lead his team to defeat the Nuggets led by Zeng Xingyang.
For an average player faced with this question, they might tactfully praise the Nuggets and then mention that they would strive to provide a great game for everyone.
But Little Thomas is different. He said with conviction, "I’ll take care of them and stop their win streak."
His voice firm and powerful, as if he already saw the dawn of victory.
When it comes to confidence, Little Thomas is unbeatable.