NBA: Rising Superstar!

"Nikola, you hold the ball at the top, the front line makes an inner cut. This is our home court, try to create some physical contact."

"Zeng, you contain the defense on one side and be ready to support the offense at any time."

"When the offensive strategy doesn't work, give the ball to Zeng and let him handle the offense."

....

In overtime arrangements, Zeng Xingyang was mainly playing off the ball.

Mainly because now the Spurs' defense against Zeng Xingyang has become very tight, if not Danny Green it's Leonard closely pressing Zeng Xingyang.

They simply don't let anyone else match up with Zeng Xingyang.

The Spurs are trying to minimize Zeng Xingyang's impact as much as possible.

Mike Malone is also utilizing Zeng Xingyang's containment ability in the setup.

Soon, overtime starts.

On the Spurs side, Popovich adjusts the lineup.

Ginobili, Danny Green, Leonard, Aldridge, Duncan are on the court.

Popovich understands very well, to defeat the Nuggets, offense is the priority.

The Nuggets didn't make too many changes, still the entire starting lineup on the court.

Players from both teams are very tense in overtime, every possession is fought with full effort on offense and defense.

Leonard attempted two shots but missed, as the offensive core Zeng Xingyang was also defending desperately.

With over a minute passed, neither side has scored yet.

Breaking the deadlock first was the Nuggets.

Zeng Xingyang dribbled to the front court, Leonard strives to pursue defensively.

In the front court left side, Zeng Xingyang attempts to set a screen.

But Leonard sidesteps it, continuing to chase.

Zeng Xingyang simply waves his hand, signaling his teammates to spread out the space.

He wants to push hard, he may be less efficient against Leonard, but it doesn't mean he can't fight back.

Soon, the space for both teams opens up.

Zeng Xingyang formed a one-on-one situation against Leonard.

"Bang!"

Zeng Xingyang made a large left-hand change of direction, hesitated slightly, drawing Leonard's attention, then quickly dribbled and moved to the right side.

Exploding speed.

Leonard's defensive adjustment rapidly kept pace.

Zeng Xingyang felt the pressure, forcing through.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

Zeng Xingyang confronted Leonard and charged in.

Ahead, Jokic blocked Duncan, Zeng Xingyang's path opened wide.

Zeng Xingyang gathered the ball, hung in the air and took a shot, difficultly avoiding interference from Leonard's long arms.

"Bang!"

"Swish!"

The basketball dropped into the net after bouncing.

103 to 105

"Oh yeah!!"

"That's awesome."

Zeng Xingyang was very tough on this ball, facing Leonard's defense, scoring under high confrontation.

"Amazing, this shot was very difficult, yet still made it."

"Xingyang's shooting is becoming more and more stable."

"Love this kind of tough duel."

"Key play, a showcase of star caliber."

Fans domestically were very excited.

But soon, Leonard responded.

The Spurs came for the offense, after a round of passing the ball got to Leonard.

Right side, 60 degrees, near the free-throw line position.

Leonard facing Zeng Xingyang did a front-back probing step, triple threat, then a sudden mid-range pull-up.

Zeng Xingyang's rush to defend was quick, but not very effective.

"Swish!"

105 to 105

Leonard scored this difficult offensive move with his face unchanged, like a robot.

Nuggets' offense comes again.

Zeng Xingyang and Jokic's pick and roll.

After the pick-and-roll, Zeng Xingyang dribbled, changing direction, driving in.

Zeng Xingyang's drive once again attracted the Spurs' successive defensive efforts.

While speeding up, Zeng Xingyang made a reverse layup pass back to Jokic.

Leonard and Duncan both came to defend Zeng Xingyang, Jokic got the opportunity.

Jokic easily shook off the assisting Danny Green, then while advancing made a floater.

The basketball went into the net responding.

"Swish!"

107 to 105.

Spurs' offense.

Duncan received Ginobili's pass, posting up against Jokic.

After a bump, turning around, Duncan found the board with one hand.

The basketball fell into the net after bouncing.

107 to 107.

Nuggets' offense.

Grant passed the ball to Jokic.

Jokic obtained the ball and quickly sprinted.

Pope and Zeng Xingyang ran quickly on the right side.

Jokic's speed is considered quite fast among centers, neither Duncan nor Aldridge could catch up with him.

Jokic drove into the middle with the ball, drawing the defense before passing it to Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang once again drew the defenses of Danny Green and Leonard, making a no-look pass to Pope in the same side's corner.

Pope faked a shot, putting Ginobili in the air, then took a step inside for a pull-up mid-range shot.

"Swish!!"

It hit steadily.

107 to 109.

In the next few possessions, both sides failed to score, and the score stalled a bit.

The defensive intensity of both teams increased significantly, making it very difficult to score.

The time quickly came down to the last 25 seconds.

It's the Spurs' offense.

Ginobili dribbled to the frontcourt, organizing and passing the ball.

The Spurs' ball movement was very smooth, and the Nuggets' defense was somewhat passive.

The opportunity appeared quickly, Duncan posted up inside, drawing the defense before passing to Danny Green in the right corner.

Danny Green with an open three-pointer, shot made decisively.

110 to 109.

12 seconds.

"Timeout!!"

Mike Malone called a halt to the game.

The fans at the Pepsi Center in Denver quieted down.

The fans couldn't believe the Spurs' tenacity was so strong.

Mike Malone set up an isolation play, giving the final shot to decide the outcome to Zeng Xingyang.

At the end of the timeout, Mike Malone was still affectionately patting Zeng Xingyang's shoulder on camera, whispering encouragement in his ear: "We've fought them to this point, tonight's win or loss depends on you. I believe in you, go, make your game-winning shot."

Zeng Xingyang nodded, equally filled with the desire to win.

Tonight, facing the Spurs, whether it's Mike Malone, Jokic, or him, they used all the tricks they had, aiming to win the game.

To give it their all is one of basketball's inherent charms.

"Whether the Nuggets win or not depends on this last play, I think they'll still go to Zeng," Barkley said.

Smith looked at Barkley speechlessly, was that even necessary to say?

On the court, the Spurs players were all focusing intently, with Duncan continually reminding his teammates about their defensive positioning.

Leonard locked his eyes on Zeng Xingyang, his task was to guard Zeng Xingyang.

On the court, the Nuggets players began their positioning.

Jokic set a screen, blocking Leonard from Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang successfully received the ball.

At the crucial moment, it was impossible for the Spurs to double-team Zeng Xingyang; any mistake would be fatal.

Danny Green quickly switched to defend Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang observed the defense as the Nuggets players continued their cutting movements.

Jokic came up again to set a solid screen, Zeng Xingyang dribbled to go across.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

Danny Green's defense was also blocked by Jokic.

At the last moment, Zeng Xingyang chose to execute a practiced pick-and-roll with Jokic.

However, Duncan quickly came up to cut off Zeng Xingyang's driving lane.

"Bang!"

Zeng Xingyang quickly pulled the ball back with his right hand, then leveraged Duncan with a spin move, accelerated to the left side.

Leonard came to help defense.

Zeng Xingyang's drive was forced back.

Jokic quickly spread out, giving Zeng Xingyang space to dribble.

Zeng Xingyang tried repeatedly to breakthrough Leonard's defensive perimeter with step-backs but failed.

Leonard played impeccable defense.

The fans in the arena held their breath.

With three seconds left.

Zeng Xingyang exploded again, a left shoulder fake, and accelerated to the right side.

This time, Zeng Xingyang successfully passed Leonard, dribbling fast to the right-side free-throw line.

Without any hesitation.

Slowed down, stopped suddenly, and jumped up.

Fadeaway shot.

Leonard, who leapt in at the last second, was still too late.

The ball sailed through the air as the buzzer sounded.

This shot would decide tonight's ultimate outcome.

"Swish!"

"Buzz!!"

As time expired, the ball pierced through the net.

110 to 111

Zeng Xingyang made a 'goodnight' celebration gesture.

The entire Nuggets team rushed toward Zeng Xingyang!

Double game-winner!!!

Zeng Xingyang felt an immense joy inside; this is the allure of basketball.

He loved the feeling of delivering a decisive blow.

He did it once more!

During regulation, he achieved a game-tying shot under Leonard's defense.

In overtime, he achieved a game-winning shot under Leonard's defense.

"This is destined to be a great beginning," Barkley stood and shouted excitedly.

Duncan, Leonard, and the others glanced helplessly at the scoreboard.

They... were defeated by a game-winning shot.