Chapter 411: Chapter 323, 50+15 away victory over the Warriors, an incredible 32-game winning streak achieved!
Timeout over, the Warriors once again deployed the deadly small lineup: Curry, Thompson, Durant, Green, Iguodala.
Curry held the ball at the top of the arc, Green came up to set a screen, Thompson suddenly cut from the weak side, and Curry delivered a bounce pass.
But Zeng Xingyang had anticipated it, and with a swift step blocked the passing lane, nearly touching the ball with his fingertips.
The basketball changed its path but still fell into Durant’s hands.
Zeng Xingyang immediately closed in, stretching his left arm to disrupt the shooting view, and slightly bending his right knee, ready to block any breakthrough.
Durant did a series of large crossovers in front of his body, then suddenly stopped and jumped for a shot.
This move "Death God’s Dry Pull" had left countless defenders in despair, but at this moment, under Zeng Xingyang’s interference, it bounced off the front rim, and Jokic collected the rebound.
"KD could’ve made that shot, what a shame." Barkley lamented.
Barkley could see Durant was somewhat intimidated.
Jokic quickly long-passed to the already starting Zeng Xingyang.
On the fast break, Zeng Xingyang darted like an arrow, with Iguodala chasing hard but left half a body behind. Facing the defense from Green, Zeng Xingyang opted for a Euro-step around Green, with his right hand scooping the ball for a layup!
to 91, the Nuggets expanded their lead to double digits.
Ma Long on the sidelines punched the air and roared, while Murray and Brogdon on the bench excitedly clapped hands.
In this counterattack, the Warriors’ defense was pierced once more, Zeng Xingyang’s rhythm changes made the Warriors’ defensive system look like a sieve.
Cole was forced to adjust the strategy again, sent Pachulia in for Iguodala to try to use height to limit Jokic’s rebounds, while Curry’s ball was knocked out of bounds by Pope.
This move indeed showed effects, in the ensuing play, Curry missed the three-pointer, Green interfered with Jokic for the rebound, and Pachulia snagged the offensive rebound, throwing it to the corner Thompson.
In nearly no space, Thompson went for a high-difficulty step-back three-pointer. Butler almost had his hand over Thompson’s face but couldn’t do much.
"Swish!"
to 94
The cheer at Oracle Arena reignited. Fans in the stands threw towels into the air, like a golden avalanche.
Nuggets’ offense, Zeng Xingyang and Jokic went for another screen, this time Green chose to go around Jokic to chase Zeng Xingyang.
Zeng Xingyang’s slow down and stop mid-range was interfered with.
"Clank!"
Rebound secured by Green. He sent the ball to Durant, who attacked holding the ball. Once charged up, Durant’s impact on Nuggets’ defense was destructive too.
Durant, drawing defense, passed to the following Thompson at the right 45-degree angle.
Thompson went for a stop-and-pop three-pointer.
"Swish!"
Bulls-eye!!!
to 97.
Thompson’s back-to-back threes narrowed the on-site deficit to 4 points.
"Watch their counter, slow down the rhythm." Ma Long directed from courtside.
Zeng Xingyang carried the ball to the frontcourt, this time seeking Jokic and Gordon to both step up.
Zeng Xingyang continued his right-side breakthrough, drawing defense.
In stride, Zeng Xingyang tossed the ball high, not towards the basket but to the cutting Gordon.
Gordon sprinted, leaped up, and caught the ball mid-air, slamming it fiercely.
"Clank!"
to 97.
Zeng Xingyang provided another key assist.
While his shot hand felt a slight decline, Zeng Xingyang exhibited his broad overview.
In the ensuing minutes, fouls were frequent, with both teams intensifying their defensive pressure.
The Oracle Arena’s air seemed to freeze, each collision stirred waves of sound.
Warriors, relying on Durant and Curry’s assaults, got to the free-throw line repeatedly.
While for Nuggets’ side, it was mainly Zeng Xingyang and Jokic orchestrating the team.
Soon, the last minute approached.
By then, the score was 115 to 111, Nuggets maintained only a 4-point gap.
Nuggets’ offense.
Zeng Xingyang brought the ball to the front court, facing Thompson’s defense, when everyone thought he’d stop to manage rhythm, he signaled for a Jokic screen, then accelerated left for a breakthrough, slowed, stopped, and jumped from the free-throw line.
"Swish!"
to 111.
This mid-range nearly sealed the game.
The few Nuggets fans and Chinese fans in the stands screamed in cheers.
Then the Warriors called a timeout.
On the inbound, Jokic tried to interfere, judging Iguodala’s intent to pass to Durant, reached out disturbing, touched the ball fingertips altering its path.
Butler firmly controlled the ball, Warriors fouled trying to steal back.
Organizing once more.
Zeng Xingyang received the ball, by then he began controlling the pace.
Time favored the Nuggets now.
Zeng Xingyang dribbled to the front, guarded by Thompson.
Thompson tried hard to steal the ball but couldn’t.
With 8 seconds left in attack time, Zeng Xingyang launched his move.
Jokic screened, blocking Thompson, Zeng Xingyang crossed, driving into the paint.
Warriors defense dared not shrink tight; previously Zeng Xingyang found open teammates with multiple passes. Nuggets cashed in on those.
Green could only retreat while observing.
Zeng Xingyang casually tossed the ball midway in drive.
Green wanted to defend but was late.
"Swish!"
The ball precisely sailed into the net from Zeng Xingyang’s hand.
to 111.
Oracle Arena fell into dead silence.
But Curry didn’t give up, he urged teammates for a quick inbound.
Green delivered the ball to Curry, Iguodala screened near the midline for Curry.
Curry cut past Zeng Xingyang and Pope at high speed.
At the arc’s peak, Curry leaned forward shooting a high-difficulty three.
"Swish!"
to 114.
Only 11 seconds remained.
Zeng Xingyang unable to receive due to entanglement, Jokic decisively passed to Butler.
Butler took ball, eased past Green trying to rob, then fouled by Iguodala.
Free throw line’s Butler displayed nerves of steel!!
Calmly sunk both.
to 114.
With Thompson’s long-range three missing, Warriors ultimately!!
"Buzz!!"
Final whistle blew, Oracle Arena silenced once more.
Big screen froze at 121 to 114, Nuggets defeated Warriors away, securing their season’s 32nd win, one step away from a 33-game streak.
Zeng Xingyang capped the game with luxurious stats of 53 points, 15 assists, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals; Jokic with 18 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists; Butler 16 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals, delivering a perfect performance from Nuggets’ big three.
On Warriors’ end, Curry 36 points, 8 assists; Thompson 27 points; Durant 24 points, 7 rebounds; Green 8 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists.
Durant scored significantly but lacked customary efficiency, crucial reason for Warriors’ defeat.
Nuggets’ bench flooded the court, Zeng Xingyang surrounded by teammates.
Winning this key Christmas showdown removed any barrier for Nuggets’ upcoming 33-win streak.
From afar, Cole quietly packed the tactics board, Durant stood at the player’s tunnel entrance, his silhouette extended by arena lights, and nobody knew what Durant thought at that moment.