NBA: Rising Superstar!

Outside the Oracle Arena, a long line had already formed early in the day.

The Warriors have gathered a massive fanbase this season.

Their record is phenomenal!

The Nuggets players were booed as soon as they got off the bus.

However, the Warriors' fans didn't dare underestimate the Nuggets, as they were the only team to beat them twice in the regular season.

If it weren't for those two games against the Nuggets, the Warriors could have broken the Bulls' 72-win record.

They have a deep impression of Zeng Xingyang's extraordinary performance.

Around the West, the Nuggets are the team they least want to face.

Everything proceeded in an orderly manner.

The game started quickly.

The Warriors started with Curry, Thompson, Barnes, Green, and Bogut.

Bogut missed about a third of the games this season, but he was fully healthy by the playoffs.

Bogut's presence is crucial for the Warriors' rim protection and screens.

He is the backbone of the Warriors' interior.

The Nuggets' starting lineup: Zeng Xingyang, Harris, Pope, Grant, Jokic.

Unlike the Warriors, who are renowned in almost every position, Zeng Xingyang is the more famous on the Nuggets.

Overall, in terms of reputation and value, the players of the two teams are not in the same league.

The two teams went for the jump ball.

Bogut and Jokic jumped for the ball.

Jokic was a bit quicker and tapped the ball first, giving it to Zeng Xingyang.

The moment Zeng Xingyang got the ball, the music in the arena intensified, and the crowd began to boo.

The Warriors' home court has been the most pressure-packed place Zeng Xingyang has experienced so far.

After bringing the ball across the court, Zeng Xingyang passed it to Jokic.

Jokic yelled and gestured, and Zeng Xingyang moved to his position.

Guarding Zeng Xingyang was Thompson.

Before his major injury, Thompson was a top-tier 3D player, which was Zeng Xingyang's former template.

Thompson didn't allow Zeng Xingyang any open positions, so Jokic passed the ball to Harris, and then positioned himself low.

Harris returned the ball to Jokic, and the other players cleared out one side.

The local commentator in Oakland exclaimed, "You can see from the start of the game why this Nuggets team is so strong this season; the players trust each other and enjoy passing."

Another commentator said, "Yeah, they don't even have a proper point guard, often it's the center setting up the plays, while others focus on their roles."

Jokic is excellent at backing down opponents, but Bogut's defense was strong. After two shoulder bumps, Jokic knew he couldn't force it.

Jokic then passed the ball rapidly to Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang's first step after getting the ball was trying to accelerate to the right; an average defender might have been beaten on the first step.

But Thompson's defensive position and reactions were swift, quickly sliding over to stop Zeng Xingyang.

As their bodies collided, Zeng Xingyang refrained from pushing forward; if he did, Thompson might fall, likely resulting in an offensive foul.

Zeng Xingyang quickly dribbled the ball behind his back to retreat.

Thompson breathed a slight sigh of relief as Zeng Xingyang's physicality exceeded his expectations.

Seeing no opportunity to break through, Zeng Xingyang faced Thompson and performed a series of between-the-legs dribbles.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

With continuous crossovers and a wide step to the side, he easily disrupted Thompson's rhythm, collecting the ball for a jump shot for three.

The shot was not entirely open, but Zeng Xingyang went for it.

Thompson, slightly passive, was a bit slow on defense.

Zeng Xingyang's shot was quite bold; Coach Mike Malone clenched his fist on the sidelines.

The Nuggets' play wasn't executed; this chance was created forcefully through Zeng Xingyang's personal ability.

Zeng Xingyang deliberately increased the arc of his shot.

The basketball traced a rainbow-like path.

"Swish!"

3-0

Zeng Xingyang scored with his first shot.

After making the basket, Zeng Xingyang pumped his fist.

As his skill level rose, he became adept at making tough shots against such caliber of defense.

This also means that no one can really shut him down entirely.

Of course, the efficiency of such shots is never very high.

Coach Zhang exclaimed, "Thompson's defense is pretty solid, but Xingyang didn't penetrate, great three-pointer, keep shooting at him, well done."

Yu Jia said, "Xingyang's ability doesn't need further proof; he can take shots from anywhere."

The boos from the audience slightly subsided.

"Good job." Jokic came over to high-five Zeng Xingyang.

Jokic knew very well that not every play can be executed, and sometimes someone has to step up and attack aggressively.

Zeng Xingyang is the most suitable player for this role, alleviating some of Jokic's playmaking pressure.

Thompson didn't stop this shot, which left him a bit disheartened.

"Keep pressuring him; he won't make these shots every time," Green shouted loudly with his mouth agape.

Thompson nodded, quickly shaking off his emotions and focusing on the offense.

The Warriors' attack, with Curry passing the ball to Green before even crossing mid-court.

Similar to the Nuggets, the Warriors have their frontcourt initiate plays.

As a second-round pick, Green has achieved a fairytale rise; he's become indispensable for the Warriors.

The Nuggets are well-acquainted with the Warriors' pace.

The key to defending the Warriors' offense is stopping the Splash Brothers.

The Splash Brothers not only excel at shooting threes but also at cutting inside and passing.

Don't underestimate the cuts and passing.

Players like Redick can't do that; his shooting is good, but he's far less threatening than the Splash Brothers.

When all skills are combined, a player becomes difficult to contain.

Zeng Xingyang was shadowing Thompson, and Harris was chasing Curry.

But Green passed the ball to Barnes, who used Bogut's screen.

Barnes took the ball, leapt, and flew past Jokic's slightly delayed help, making a layup with ease.

3-2.

The Warriors' offensive and defensive pace is incredibly fast; any slight lapse leads to defensive failures.

After scoring, Barnes gave a glare to Jokic in front of him.

"Move your defensive steps faster," shouted Mike Malone from the sidelines.

The Warriors' offensive prowess is terrifying; failing to limit them spells all sorts of trouble.

The Nuggets' attack.

Zeng Xingyang dribbled to the frontcourt and passed to Jokic.

Jokic organized the ball movement.

The Warriors' defense was tight, giving the Nuggets no openings.

However, after a series of passes, Jokic set a pick for Zeng Xingyang, switching the defender to Curry.

Earlier, Jokic and Harris ran a pick and roll, which was to create a chance for Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang didn't hesitate, accelerating fiercely to the left; Curry wasn't beaten in the first step but stayed glued to him.

Though Curry's challenge wasn't as intense as Thompson's, using his physical advantage, Zeng Xingyang pushed inside.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

With the ball firmly in hand, Zeng Xingyang rose powerfully, and Bogut, delayed slightly by Grant, couldn't get there in time.

Zeng Xingyang scooped the ball away from Curry, soaring upwards with one hand grabbing the ball for a layup.

5-2.