After scoring, Zeng Xingyang motioned the crowd to sit down with his right hand and glided back to his own backcourt.
Stupid fans, you’re in for a tough season.
In Zeng Xingyang’s memory, the 76ers in his past life often faced this kind of awkwardness of not scoring for long stretches.
The crowd let out a boo.
The basketball kept moving around, and the Nuggets’ defense was constantly being adjusted.
In continuous passing, Jerami Grant found an opening in the left corner three-point spot, as Galinarli was delayed by Okafor’s off-ball screen, leaving Jerami Grant open.
It was a good opportunity, but Jerami Grant’s three-point shooting percentage this season was only 24%, and his shot heavily hit the rim.
Jokic grabbed the rebound.
Zeng Xingyang thought their shooting was a bit eye-piercing.
This 76ers team probably couldn’t even beat some top NCAA teams, right?
Jokic dribbled to the frontcourt.
The Nuggets kept passing the ball.
Zeng Xingyang’s touch was on fire, and his teammates once again passed the ball to him.
With only 10 seconds left on the shot clock, Zeng Xingyang faced TJ McConnell in a mismatch.
Continuously dribbling in advance, TJ McConnell followed closely.
Zeng Xingyang didn’t break through, but instead adjusted his pace, stepping back with his right foot to create a bit of space for a jump shot.
Zeng Xingyang didn’t shake off TJ McConnell, but he still took the shot.
The main thing was the height difference between the two was just too much!!
Zeng Xingyang practically shot right in his face.
TJ McConnell tried hard to contest the shot, but Zeng Xingyang’s form didn’t change at all.
The basketball drew a beautiful arc.
Coach Brown couldn’t stand it anymore and called a timeout again.
"Holy crap, Zeng Xingyang’s shooting is awesome."
"This one-on-one play is really flashy."
"The 76ers’ short guards are like Zeng Xingyang’s ATM."
"The East and West difference is too big, feels like the Nuggets are just pummeling the 76ers."
"Can’t stop, really can’t stop."
"Zeng Xingyang is on fire tonight."
"No one can stop the starting Zeng Xingyang."
Fans at home and abroad were praising, witnessing a rookie rising like a superstar.
The pace of the game was always controlled by the Nuggets.
When the Nuggets led 18 to 0, the 76ers finally had Canaan scoring 2 points to break the ice.
But this couldn’t change the fact that the momentum was suppressed by the Nuggets.
Until there were 2 minutes and 23 seconds left in the first quarter, Ma Long substituted Zeng Xingyang and Jokic out, finally easing the Nuggets’ offense.
"Keep playing , doing great."
Mike Malone high-fived Zeng Xingyang in celebration.
Mike Malone also regretted not putting Zeng Xingyang in the starting lineup sooner.
If he had started Zeng Xingyang from the second game, the Nuggets might have won one or two more games.
Don’t underestimate those one or two games, it could be crucial for securing a playoff spot in the West.
Time quickly came to 8:12 in the second quarter, and the score was 37 to 17, with the Nuggets leading by 20 points on the road.
Ma Long put Zeng Xingyang and Jokic back in, pairing them with Nelson, Harris, and Faried.
The 76ers continued with their starting lineup.
TJ McConnell dribbled to the frontcourt, and Okafor called for the ball in the low post.
After a few passes, the ball got to Okafor.
Okafor posted up against Jokic.
Okafor kept bumping with his back.
Unfortunately, Jokic was least afraid of opponents attacking , his size could withstand any center’s post-up.
Okafor was forced to turn and take a jump shot.
Jokic turned and grabbed the rebound.
Okafor was almost spitting blood in frustration.
This second-round pick’s defense felt even tougher than Towns’.
Jokic then dribbled past half court.
Zeng Xingyang was positioning on the right, initially pretending to take Covington out to the right side.
But after a fake, he cut into the lane.
Covington got shaken off, and Jokic saw Zeng Xingyang cutting in from outside the three-point line, quickly delivering a bounce pass.
The joy of playing with Jokic was never worrying about not getting the ball when open.
It was another brilliant pass inviting a finish, Zeng Xingyang caught the ball, took a big step, took off gripping the ball in one hand, and slammed it down hard.
This came with little interference.
Zeng Xingyang dunked very effortlessly.
Zeng Xingyang’s dunk wasn’t that fierce, but it was practical.
"The passing of this Serbian big guy is amazing, every pass he sends Zeng is just right."
"These passes are too damn precise."
"76ers can’t stop it, Zeng Xingyang could dunk their inside anytime."
A few Nuggets fans screamed in the stands.
"Dude, your dunking needs more practice." Faried said to Zeng Xingyang.
"Haha, alright, teach me sometime." Zeng Xingyang replied.
Completing such a dunk, Zeng Xingyang was really excited.
Dunking was much harder for him than hitting a three-pointer.
The 76ers fans on the scene were also dazed, with Zeng Xingyang just dunking easily, how bad is that defense.
Coach Brown was even more envious.
Clearly, this guy was the 7th pick, but he played much more aggressively than their own third overall pick.
He could take big men in mismatches one-on-one, position for threes, and finish cutting into the lane.
Zeng Xingyang faced the 76ers’ weak defense with great ease.