NBA: Rising Superstar!

Very quickly, Game 3 kicked off.

The Clippers continued to adjust their starting lineup.

Paul, Crawford, Bamot, Griffin, Little Jordan.

In the last game, Bamot was primarily defending Zeng Xingyang, and Zeng Xingyang didn't fully explode, making Rivers think this could be tried again defensively.

The Nuggets' starting lineup remained unchanged.

The jump ball between the two sides.

Little Jordan and Jokic jumped almost simultaneously.

Little Jordan clearly jumped higher, flipping the ball to Paul.

Paul dribbled past half court, running tactics.

Paul wasn't as anxious as the last game and instead signaled for a tactical play.

Passed the ball to Crawford, who, facing Harris, didn't make a move, but passed it to Griffin on the right side of the free-throw line.

Griffin was very patient, not rushing with the ball. He dribbled a step out, executed a hand-off to Paul, and then came forward to screen off Zeng Xingyang.

Paul used Griffin's screen to break inside while Zeng Xingyang circled around the screen to chase Paul.

Griffin made a dive to the basket, putting himself in an advantageous position, and Paul delivered a bounce pass to Griffin.

Griffin took the ball and exploded.

"Bang!"

Grant was directly knocked out of the way, and Griffin stepped up into the air for a powerful slam.

"Boom!"

"Beep beep!"

As Griffin completed the violent dunk, the referee blew the whistle.

The referee indicated that Grant was blocking, and the play warranted a free throw.

Paul and Griffin were very in sync tonight.

Griffin seemed tougher than in the last game.

Barkley said, "Blake Griffin has become the Clippers' key scorer, and this matchup gives him an advantage."

Smith said, "Besides him, the Clippers need more people to step up."

The fans at Staples Center cheered, loving Griffin's style of play.

Since entering the league in 2009, Griffin had consistently delivered All-Star-level performances, excluding his rookie year due to injury.

This Griffin carried the hopes of Clippers fans.

However, Griffin hadn't risen to the fans' expectations and his form had instead steadily declined.

Since the 2014-15 season, Griffin has been plagued by frequent injuries, including his right elbow, left quadriceps, right ring finger, right big toe plantar plate, left knee medial collateral ligament, and various other injuries....

Injuries became a key factor limiting Griffin from becoming better.

Griffin stood at the free-throw line and calmly made the shot.

0 to 3.

Griffin pumped his fist.

Griffin's eyes were filled with determination, indicating he'd give it his all tonight.

Grant was extremely frustrated.

Nuggets on the offense.

Jokic dribbled to the front court, handing the ball to Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang, after receiving the ball, made a decisive breakthrough with a change of direction and accelerated inside.

Zeng Xingyang attracted a double-team, as Little Jordan and Bamot both attempted to block him.

Jokic didn't roll to the basket but instead retreated beyond the three-point line.

Zeng Xingyang passed the ball over his shoulder to Jokic at the top of the arc.

Jokic observed that the Clippers' defense couldn't close out in time, so he decisively took a three-pointer.

Jokic doesn't really jump much on his three-point shots.

The basketball arced beautifully.

"Swish!"

The basketball pierced through the net.

3 to 3.

Jokic raised his hand to greet Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang nodded.

Clippers fans were dumbfounded seeing Zeng Xingyang passing to Jokic for a three-pointer.

Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?

Griffin and Little Jordan don't have Jokic's range, making Clippers fans feel how difficult Jokic is to defend.

But very quickly.

Paul and Griffin ran another pick-and-roll.

Zeng Xingyang anticipated it, circumventing Griffin to chase Paul.

Paul found no opportunity inside and made a behind-the-back bounce pass to Bamot on the perimeter.

Bamot shot a three from the right 45-degree angle.

"Bang!"

"Swish!"

The basketball bounced off the rim before dropping in.

3 to 6.

The Clippers' outside shooting looked promising, quickly responding to Zeng Xingyang's three-pointer.

Paul's pass was quite clever.

Zhang Weiping said, "The Clippers are going all-out today. Rivers should have emphasized the decisiveness in offense, as playing at home they are more familiar with the basket."

At this moment on the court, Jokic tried to find a passing opportunity to the front court, but the Clippers retreated very quickly on defense, forcing him to pass nearby to Harris.

Harris passed the ball back to Jokic.

Jokic dribbled, preparing to play a half-court set.

Little Jordan stepped up to disrupt Jokic with large-scale motions, but the referee didn't blow the whistle.

Jokic, not even past half court, passed to Zeng Xingyang, and then raised both hands to complain to the referee.

The referee ignored Jokic's complaint.

Zeng Xingyang, after catching the ball, also felt Bamot's pressure.

Bamot's whole body nearly invaded Zeng Xingyang's personal space, pressing against him, not allowing him to exert force.

The referee still didn't blow the whistle.

Zeng Xingyang took a step with the ball but couldn't shake free, so he passed it to Harris.

Harris dribbled a step to the right side of the inside and barely found a gap to take a mid-range shot.

"Bang!"

The basketball bounced heavily off the rim and went up.

Jokic wrestled under the basket with Little Jordan, got pushed, yet there was no call.

Little Jordan grabbed the rebound.

Jokic felt terribly frustrated, choosing not to complain further, and jogged back shaking his head.

Zeng Xingyang also sensed the force of the Clippers' home-court advantage kicking in, with the whistle being quite favorable to them.

Mike Malone continually appealed to the referee about Little Jordan's previous actions from the sidelines.

Clippers' turn on offense.

Paul dribbled to the top of the arc.

Paul and Griffin's pick-and-roll, Zeng Xingyang was blocked, and Grant quickly switched to defense on Paul.

Paul changed direction with the dribble, driving at high speed, he saw Bamot cutting in.

Paul passed the ball to Bamot, who after colliding with Pope, made the basket.

3 to 8.

In terms of initiative, Bamot is better than Wesley Johnson.

Nuggets' defense showed some slack on this away game, Pope indicated it was his fault.

Pope thought Paul would go one-on-one, so his attention was slightly lax while defending Bamot.

Nuggets' offense.

Zeng Xingyang dribbled to the frontcourt for a pick-and-roll with Jokic.

Bamot was blocked, Little Jordan switched up to defend, Zeng Xingyang exploded with acceleration and charged through.

When Zeng Xingyang wanted to power up, Griffin hugged Zeng Xingyang.

Stopped Zeng Xingyang's momentum dead.

"Beep Beep!!"

The referee finally blew the whistle, giving a frontcourt ball.

This play targeted him directly, although it wouldn't injure him, it would be a flagrant foul in FIBA.

Giving such a play an ordinary foul for a frontcourt ball, Zeng Xingyang was speechless.

Zhang Weiping said, "Tonight's whistle isn't very friendly to the Nuggets, this is the Clippers' home court advantage, hope Xingyang won't be affected."

On the court, Nuggets' offense continued.

Pope to inbound, Zeng Xingyang starts positioning around Jokic.

Pope finds an opportunity to pass the ball to Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang catches and immediately makes a fake move, both Paul and Bamot are deceived.

Simultaneously, Zeng Xingyang ducks in for a breakthrough to the high post.

Without any hesitation, he slows to a stop, quickly shooting a long two.

The basketball draws a beautiful arc.

"Swish!"

A perfect shot!!

5 to 8.

Clippers' offense.

Paul dribbled to the frontcourt, passing the ball to Griffin in the low post.

The court spread out.

Griffin continues to attack Grant.

This time Grant gives a bit of space, not letting Griffin gather force.

When Griffin jumps, Grant also jumps with all his might.

"Smack!"

Grant blocks Griffin.

"Beep Beep!!"

But the referee blows the whistle again, indicating a foul.

Grant spreads his hands, looking quite helpless.

Nuggets players swarm the referee.

This sets the tone from the start, Nuggets are very uncomfortable playing at the Clippers' home, their rhythm is disrupted.

Meanwhile, the Clippers are fully committed, constantly forcing physical contact on both ends.

The Clippers are also very strong, and when they go all out, beating the Nuggets is not an upset.

The score quickly widened.

Nuggets are in a tough battle now.

End of the first quarter.

The score is 18 to 28.

Nuggets trail by 10 points.

Barkley said, "Nuggets didn't take advantage at the start of this game, the Clippers are more proactive."

Smith said, "The Clippers have prepared very well, maintaining high pressure on both offense and defense, and then with some unfavorable calls, this has affected the Nuggets' mentality."

Nuggets' offense has always been strong, but they only scored 18 points in a single quarter tonight.

This also reflects the Nuggets' condition on another level.

The second quarter begins with Jokic leading the team, the Clippers continue their all-out explosive style, constantly attacking the inside.

Jokic leads the Nuggets' second unit in a fierce resistance.

The game reaches the second quarter at 7 minutes 33 seconds.

Nuggets call a timeout.

The score is 24 to 37, Clippers lead by 13 points.

Zeng Xingyang returns to the court.

Nuggets start the pick-and-roll with Zeng Xingyang and Jokic.

After the pick-and-roll, Zeng Xingyang changes direction and breaks in.

Griffin switches to defense, Zeng Xingyang quickly gathers in and uses a European step to sweep past Griffin.

Little Jordan leaps to try a block, Zeng Xingyang maneuvers with another pull, flying from the left to the right.

Zeng Xingyang's core strength is at the peak, Little Jordan begins to fall but still can't stop Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang skillfully tips the ball for a shot.

"Bang!"

"Swish!"

The basketball bounces off the backboard and falls into the hoop.

Next possession.

The entire Nuggets team uses rotation defense to stop Paul's stop-and-pop jumper.

The rebound is grabbed by Jokic.

Jokic makes a pass to Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang brings the ball to the frontcourt left 45-degree point, facing defense from Bamot, after a large direction change.

Stops for a three-point jump shot.

Bamot is not completely thrown off, but his rhythm is disrupted.

The basketball draws a beautiful arc.

"Swish!"

It cuts through the net.

.....

Zeng Xingyang begins to explode.

He keeps initiating pick-and-rolls with Jokic.

Despite the Clippers' intense defense, Jokic and Zeng Xingyang always find opportunities to finish.

The Nuggets' performance on offense improves, and their defensive play becomes more intense.

Half time ends.

The score comes to 42 to 48.

Even though the Clippers had all kinds of advantages, they still didn't widen the gap significantly.

The Nuggets' strength foundation is evident here.