NBA: Rising Superstar!

Chapter 499 - 411: Securing Match Point!

The Nuggets going to an away game really makes it hard to say they can definitely win.

Sure enough, after reaching Game 3, the Rockets’ entire team’s outside shooting was explosive, while the Nuggets’ shooting dropped significantly.

Zeng Xingyang and Jokic’s shooting could only be described as average, while others couldn’t score at all.

It’s safe to say that after coming to the away game, everyone has become somewhat unaccustomed.

Ultimately, this game was lost 112-123.

The Nuggets lost a very straightforward game, and the series score came to 1-2.

Having defeated the Nuggets, Harden finally shook off the media’s ridicule.

Keep in mind that in the previous game, Harden was severely criticized by fans and the media.

After the game, the Nuggets gathered to hold a meeting and summarize.

During Game 4, the Nuggets’ offensive efficiency was still not high at the beginning, but they held off the Rockets’ offense on the defensive end.

Both teams began a seesaw battle.

Until the end of regulation, neither team could determine a winner.

The score stood at 118-118.

At home, the Rockets, with their tenacious resilience, did not let the Nuggets easily take the game.

Both Harden and Paul knew that if they let the Nuggets win this game tonight, then when they head to the Nuggets’ home court for Game 5, the series could come to an end.

"Honestly, this is the toughest challenge I’ve seen the Nuggets face."

"Both teams have super strong offensive abilities, and the Rockets this season are one of the few teams that can break through the Nuggets’ defense!"

"The game between the Nuggets and the Rockets was so fascinating, they’re playing so long."

"Amazing, Rockets, you were able to push the Nuggets to this extent."

"This level of offensive intensity is historical."

"It’s so crazy, really insane."

"It’s a great Western Conference Finals."

"It’s another preview of the Finals, honestly, whichever team advances to the Finals will be the championship team."

The fans discussed intensely before the start of overtime.

Overtime started quickly.

Nuggets: Zeng Xingyang, Pope, Siakam, Gordon, Jokic.

Rockets: Paul, Harden, Gordon, Ariza, Tucker.

The Rockets put out an extremely small lineup.

D’Antoni’s madness shocked fans both domestically and internationally.

"They are courting death."

"Capela fouled out, they have no suitable center."

"This is too crazy."

Domestic fans were discussing.

Jump ball between Jokic and Tucker.

No suspense, Jokic tipped the ball to Zeng Xingyang.

The matchup turned into a classic battle between the big lineup and the small lineup.

The Nuggets’ starting height is the highest in the league, while the Rockets’ height at this time is the smallest in the league.

One excels at both offense and defense, while the other has honed their offense to the extreme. You cannot deny the Rockets’ strength, but they do seem to be overly bold.

Tucker flashed a wry smile on the court; when he found out D’Antoni wanted him to play center, he was a bit stunned.

Zeng Xingyang dribbled the ball up the court.

Seeing this lineup, he signaled for Jokic to head inside.

Jokic knew it was his moment to shine.

Jokic took Tucker to the low post.

Zeng Xingyang passed the ball to Siakam, who then passed it to Jokic.

Jokic completely backed Tucker under the basket, took a step, and turned for a layup.

Jokic’s move didn’t seem fully executed.

"Clank!"

The first shot missed, but Jokic quickly grabbed the offensive rebound and scored on a second attempt.

120-118.

Jokic was too dominant in the paint, and the entire Rockets team tried hard to grab the offensive rebound but failed.

Rockets’ offense.

The Rockets’ lineup is all about speed.

Harden attracted Zeng Xingyang’s individual defense, but instead of shooting himself, he passed the ball to Gordon on the other side.

Gordon dribbled behind the back to adjust, then drove past Siakam, shooting a difficult floater on the move.

"Bang!"

"Swish!"

120-120.

The home crowd at the Toyota Center was shouting excitedly.

This type of play was critical for them; they knew the Nuggets’ offense was terrifying, and if they couldn’t match their offense, they could easily be defeated in this game.

Nuggets on offense again.

Zeng Xingyang dribbled past half-court.

Harden was exhausted but still dragged his heavy footsteps to bother Zeng Xingyang.

The Rockets stuck to man-to-man defense; they didn’t have the energy to help defend much.

This time, Tucker fronted Jokic, leaving Zeng Xingyang without a chance to lob the ball.

Don’t be fooled by Tucker’s height; this guy plays fiercely on defense, and not every possession can easily exploit the paint.

Zeng Xingyang passed the ball to Siakam at the free-throw line.

Siakam faked a couple of times and then passed it back to Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang started dribbling to change direction.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

He dribbled intensely, shifting Harden’s center of gravity.

Zeng Xingyang chose to accelerate to the right for a drive.

Harden couldn’t stop Zeng Xingyang, who combined rhythm and athleticism explosively, passing Harden cleanly.

Zeng Xingyang drew a double-team as he progressed and dished the ball to the trailing Jokic.

Jokic made a one-handed floater and put the ball through the hoop.

122-120.

This play scored again using the interior advantage.

D’Antoni glanced at the bench from the sideline; he still couldn’t find a better rim-protecting center than Capela.

He didn’t trust anyone else.

In the Rockets’ offense, after a series of ball movements, Gordon drove into the paint with great effort.

Gordon is one of the Rockets’ attackers and shoulders a lot of the scoring duties.

Zeng Xingyang moved over to help, cutting off Gordon’s driving angle.

Gordon opted for a forced layup, which Jokic blocked cleanly.

The rebound fell, and Siakam grabbed it, advancing rapidly with the ball.

Zeng Xingyang and Pope followed on the flanks, while the entire Rockets team retreated to defend.

Siakam chose to attack on his own with big strides.

Siakam’s long legs and arms were an advantage over the Rockets, allowing him to reach the basket in two steps and make a steady shot.

124-120.

On the next possession, Siakam blocked Paul’s mid-range attempt.

The ball was recovered by Jokic.

At this point, Pope was fast-breaking.

Jokic passed the ball to Pope, who drove in for a straightforward layup.

126-120.

Rockets on offense again.

Harden tried hard to go one-on-one against Zeng Xingyang, drawing a light foul call.

Harden went to the free-throw line and made both.

126-122.

Coming back up.

Zeng Xingyang signaled to go one-on-one against Harden.

After a series of shake-and-bakes, he stepped back, faking Harden, and took a three-point shot over the defense.

"Swish!"

"Bang!"

"Beep beep!!"

Zeng Xingyang drew a foul from Harden while hitting the shot.

This three-plus-one sealed the game’s victory tonight.

The series was rewritten to 3-1, with the Nuggets taking the match point first.