NBA: Rising Superstar!

Chapter 494 - 406: 41 Points in a Single Quarter! (Part 1)

G1, the Nuggets had some difficulty winning, but by G2, they won easily.

The Nuggets came out with a smooth offense at the start of G2, while the Blazers remained committed to their previous defensive strategy, but Mike Malone benched Butler and brought in Brogdon.

The Nuggets’ perimeter shooting saw a significant improvement.

When Butler led the second unit, the upgrade for the Nuggets’ second unit was apparent, and the Nuggets dismantled the Blazers from the starters to the second lineup.

The final score of the game was 114 to 134, with the Nuggets defeating the Blazers by 20 points at home.

Lillard scored 38 points and 12 assists, becoming the leader of the futile effort.

In G3, the Blazers at the Rose Garden Arena played aggressively, hitting consecutive three-pointers at the start, striking the Nuggets with a 15-5 run, forcing a stoppage.

Pause over.

Zeng Xingyang took over the game again, signaling to his teammates not to rush.

Jokic set a screen for Gordon on the right side.

At this moment, the Blazers’ defense focused entirely on Zeng Xingyang, and he chose to pass the ball directly to Gordon cutting in.

The Blazers’ overall defense is not as formidable as the Spurs, and they didn’t exert much pressure; after Gordon adjusted his steps, he went in for a slam dunk.

"Bang!"

to 7.

"As long as the Nuggets can stop the Blazers’ attacks, this series will be quite easy."

"It seems the Blazers can run neck and neck with the Nuggets, but the situation is actually under the Nuggets’ control."

"That assist was just too easy; they couldn’t stop Gordon’s obvious cut."

The fans were in heated discussions.

On the court, the Blazers’ offense came again.

This time, Lillard, after using a screen, positioned himself a meter outside the left three-point line.

McCollum, using a screen, changed direction to break through and then passed to the outer-positioned Lillard.

Lillard caught the ball and decisively took a long-range three-point shot.

Zeng Xingyang rushed over!

The basketball drew a beautiful arc.

"Swish!"

to 7.

The main reason Lillard is hard to defend is due to his incredibly long range.

If you’re not a little careful, you can’t stop him.

Today, Zeng Xingyang was a bit careless on the defensive side, primarily because they won the last game so easily.

Nuggets’ turn on offense.

This time, Pope ran to the left corner after using a screen.

After a pick-and-roll with Jokic, Zeng Xingyang cut down the middle, drawing the defense.

Their move compressed the Blazers’ defense, facilitating Pope.

Pope didn’t hesitate at all and shot immediately upon receiving the ball.

The basketball drew a splendid arc.

"Swish!"

Sank into the net.

to 10.

In the next possession, Zeng Xingyang was attentive to Lillard’s deep three, not allowing him such an easy shot again.

After changing direction with his dribble, Lillard tried to shoot over Zeng Xingyang but missed.

Jokic steadily controlled the rebound.

Dribbled to the frontcourt position.

Jokic passed the ball to Gordon.

Gordon passed it back to Zeng Xingyang.

On the right perimeter, Lillard came close to defend Zeng Xingyang; he was too tight.

Zeng Xingyang placed the ball to the right and accelerated past Lillard.

Zeng Xingyang charged into the Blazers’ paint, with Aminu coming over to assist the defense.

Zeng Xingyang executed a euro-step, holding the ball from the left to the right before elevating for a layup.

"Clap!"

Aminu committed a hand foul, while Zeng Xingyang securely laid the ball in.

"Beep beep!!"

The referee quickly called the play, signaling two points were good, plus a free throw.

"Swish!"

Zeng Xingyang stood on the free-throw line and, amidst the pressure, nailed the free throw.

to 13.

The Blazers’ offense restarted.

This time, Lillard intended to use a screen to break through for a pass.

But after Lillard entered the paint, his vision was obstructed.

The Nuggets players were too bulky, preventing Lillard from passing effectively.

The ball was tipped by Gordon, controlled by Pope, who accelerated forward.

Zeng Xingyang followed on the other side.

Pope executed a jump pass to Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang caught the ball beyond the left 45-degree three-point line, faked once, and lifted McCollum, who was chasing him from behind, before himself shooting a transition three.

The basketball went in decisively.

"Swish!"

to 16.

The atmosphere in the Rose Garden Arena was waning.

Zeng Xingyang spread his arms wide, like a glider, running back.

In the next possession, the Blazers’ offense was stifled again.

This time they were directly defended into a 24-second violation.

The ball was inbounded again.

This time, Zeng Xingyang brought the ball to the frontcourt, faced with a double-team.

Jokic rolled to the middle, and Zeng Xingyang passed to him.

Jokic made a fake pass, opening up space between him and the defender; finding there wasn’t much pressure.

Jokic opted for a mid-range jump shot.

"Swish!"

to 18.

The Rose Garden Arena was silenced completely.

The Blazers fans originally thought the team’s first-quarter offensive momentum was good and believed they should have a chance to lead for a period.

Who would have thought the Nuggets would tie the score before the first quarter even ended?

Lillard hurriedly called a timeout upon crossing half-court.

This pause didn’t help the Blazers regain their initial touch, while the Nuggets’ steady offense made it very difficult for the Blazers.

At the end of the first quarter, the score was fixed at 30 to 36, with the Nuggets leading by 6 points.

In the second quarter, just when the Blazers thought Zeng Xingyang would rest, Mike Malone instead kept him on the court.

The Blazers’ second unit’s defense was even weaker, and Zeng Xingyang showed no mercy, initiating continuous offense as soon as he hit the floor.

The Nuggets’ second unit played around Zeng Xingyang, with every attack going through his hands.

Zeng Xingyang played very comfortably on the court.

At 11:22, on the right beyond the three-point line, he nailed a shot after facing a defense with a three-threat move.

At 10:52, Zeng Xingyang used a screen to change direction, breaking to a stop at the free-throw line for a jump shot that went in.

At 9:33, Zeng Xingyang broke down two perimeter defenses, charged into the paint, and scored under defensive pressure.

At 8:57, after receiving a breakthrough pass from Butler, he hit a corner three-pointer in one motion, with the Blazers defender already in his face, but it didn’t have much of an effect.

At 7:22, Zeng Xingyang used a screen to change direction, attacking the basket, drawing a foul for an and-one, and he scored.

At 7:02, Butler intercepted a pass from the Blazers, made a pass to the frontcourt for Zeng Xingyang, and Zeng Xingyang made a steady layup for the score.

....

Zeng Xingyang went full throttle in the second quarter, putting the Blazers’ defense on their heels.

The Blazers tried to double-team to limit Zeng Xingyang but failed.

Time quickly reached 3:02 left in the second quarter, and after Zeng Xingyang hit a three over McCollum, his single-quarter scoring in the second quarter reached 30 points.

Blazers’ offense came again, as Lillard dribbled to the frontcourt, his expression was very serious.

Lillard chose to use a screen to change direction and break in.

Lillard is extremely fast; with a second acceleration, he once again bypassed the help defense into the paint, Lillard wanting to lay it up through contact.

But his drive couldn’t push through Jokic.

Jokic extended his long arms.

"Clap!"

Jokic blocked the ball.