Zeng Xingyang didn’t shoot much in the first quarter, average efficiency, and was subbed out after 7 minutes, giving other Nuggets players more opportunities.
Faried was very active, constantly fighting for rebounds and scoring on second-chance plays.
The scores alternated between the two teams, ending the first quarter at 25 to 25.
The second quarter begins.
Rockets lineup: Lawson, Terry, Ariza, Harrell, Howard.
McHale noticed the issue between Howard and Harden, so he slightly staggered their playing time.
Nuggets lineup: Foye, Barton, Zeng Xingyang, Faried, Lavine.
Zeng Xingyang rested for a long time in the first quarter, so Mike Malone arranged for him to lead the second unit.
Lawson dribbles to the frontcourt.
In this lineup, Howard is the main offensive focus.
Lawson passed the ball to Howard.
Cleared out, Howard isolates against Lavine.
Howard’s power is an advantage, slowly advancing.
Normally, in this one-on-one play, Howard wouldn’t have much trouble against Lavine.
However, the Nuggets’ defense wouldn’t just watch Lavine being beaten, and Zeng Xingyang quickly went over to double-team and assist.
Upon seeing the double-team, Howard wanted to find Ariza, but Zeng Xingyang blocked the passing lane in that direction.
Howard could only turn and attempt a hook shot to the other side.
This season, Howard is averaging only 13 points and 12 rebounds; his offensive capabilities have declined rapidly.
This was due to his limited offensive skills.
This shot doesn’t have much of an arc.
The basketball bounced out, and Faried leaped up to grab the ball.
Faried passed the ball to Zeng Xingyang.
Zeng Xingyang dribbled forward, closely followed by Ariza.
Lavine and Faried clearly didn’t have Jokic’s awareness to proactively set a screen, so Zeng Xingyang handed the ball over to Barton.
Barton took the ball without hesitating, faced Terry, and made a crossover move to drive inside.
Barton shot a floater over Howard.
Howard’s offensive skills may have regressed, but his defensive instincts were intact.
His fingertips altered the ball’s trajectory, and it was directly grabbed by Faried under the basket.
Zeng Xingyang made a cutting move inside at this moment.
Faried underhanded the ball to Zeng Xingyang, who was advancing down the middle.
Zeng Xingyang stepped directly into the air, heading towards the rim.
"Not again, no way!" Howard roared and leaped again, extending his long arms for the block on Zeng Xingyang.
If it were the earlier version of Zeng Xingyang, he might not have scored this time, but his layup skills have been upgraded, and Howard’s consecutive jumping height wasn’t enough, giving Zeng Xingyang some confidence.
Zeng Xingyang’s body clashed with Howard, and he used a single-hand pull-up maneuver to evade Howard’s block for a layup.
The basketball bounced off the backboard and fell through the hoop.
With preparation, Zeng Xingyang managed to maintain his balance against Howard.
"Oh wow, nicely done." Nelson on the bench cheered for Zeng Xingyang along with his teammates.
Zeng Xingyang’s offense shows his ability to finish at the basket is gradually improving.
Zeng Xingyang celebrated with Faried by high-fiving.
Zeng Xingyang was very happy that he could succeed in high-intensity situations in real matches.
"Really tough, how did he manage to score?"
"Howard’s defense was flawless though."
"My gosh, wasn’t Zeng only known for three-pointers? I haven’t watched a game in a few days, how has he improved so much?"
"That confrontation, that cut in, looks nothing like a pure shooter."
"God bless, we hope to pick him at the 7th pick."
Nuggets fans shouted.
Coach McHale on the sidelines looked very unhappy.
Not only did they fail to protect the offensive rebound in this possession, they were even dominated under the basket.
Howard is truly past his prime!
Rockets’ offense comes again.
Lawson dribbles to the frontcourt, slightly controls the pace, and passes to Terry.
After receiving the ball, Terry called Harrell out.
Harrell’s attitude was entirely different from Howard’s; he really enjoyed setting screens for teammates.
After all, he was just a second-round pick, and his offensive skills were also limited, without many tricks.
Harris was blocked, and Terry dribbled to the right, took a step, and grounded a pass to Harrell.
Harrell evaded Harris, took off and rose into the air, and after clashing with Faried, scored the ball.
For someone of Harrell’s stature as a short inside player, his basketball finishing ability is top-tier.
As long as he’s near the hoop, he has various ways to put the ball in.
However, his threat is limited to areas near the hoop, and facing tall centers can cause struggles, significantly restricting his development.
Nuggets’ offense resumes.
Foye dribbles past half court and passes to Zeng Xingyang.
Zeng Xingyang calls for a screen from Faried.
Harrell and Ariza chose to double-team Zeng Xingyang after he used the screen to move sideways.
Before the double-team formation was completed, Zeng Xingyang made a ground pass to Faried, who was left unguarded.
Faried and Harrell have similar attack ranges.
However, Faried’s attack range is slightly smaller, primarily focusing on dunks, alley-oops, and second-chance rebounds.
Harrell can execute some pivots and footwork, which Faried lacks.
Before Howard arrived for the assist defense, Faried gathered his ball and exploded into the air with a quick leap, firmly dunking the ball with both hands.
The basketball was slammed into the hoop.
Upon landing, Faried roared at the sky and gestured towards Zeng Xingyang from afar.
Zeng Xingyang nodded in acknowledgment.
A player like Faried tends to finish well at the basket as long as he receives the right passing.