Sometimes when rushing inside, you have to face Duncan’s help defense.
The final score was 89 to 78.
The Nuggets didn’t lose by a lot, but they never had a chance of winning during the game.
Zeng Xingyang had his most disastrous game of the season, shooting 6-for-24, including 2-for-11 from three-point range, totaling 16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 turnovers.
Jokic had 6 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Just when everyone was gearing up to criticize Zeng Xingyang.
The Nuggets then led a back-to-back game, crushing the Pelicans 119 to 89.
Though Zeng Xingyang didn’t contribute high scoring again, he still got a comprehensive stat of 22 points, 10 assists, 5 rebounds, 5 steals, and 2 blocks.
It’s normal to have ups and downs.
After a big win, the Nuggets then endured a four-game losing streak.
They lost 105 to 115 to the Suns, 100 to 105 to the Clippers, 88 to 99 to the Mavericks, and 86 to 92 to the Spurs.
The Suns are a team that embodies run-and-gun in their bones, and under the lead of their frenzied guards, the Nuggets’ point guards were as scattered as last time they encountered them.
Playing on the road, the Nuggets didn’t have strong fighting spirit and couldn’t promptly counter the Suns’ attacks, leading to them being passive throughout.
Zeng Xingyang tried to explode for a comeback but ultimately didn’t succeed.
As for the Clippers, there’s no need to elaborate; the Paul+Griffin+Little Jordan lineup is very well-coordinated, and their overall strength is above the Nuggets.
The Nuggets were in the last of a three-game road trip and lacked energy reserves, Paul hit Jokic with several mismatches at critical moments with mid-range shots, which directly took the game away.
Paul delivered a luxurious stat line with 24 points and 16 assists, and the Nuggets swallowed the bitter pill.
Next, returning to the home court facing the slightly weaker Mavericks should have been the chance for the Nuggets to end the losing streak.
But the Mavericks all exploded, achieving a crazy feat of six players scoring in double figures.
German veteran Nowitzki seemed to have a flashback to 2011, with various one-legged fadeaways over Jokic and Galinarli.
The Mavericks used experience to hold onto the victory until the end.
As for playing against the Spurs on the road, it was still a suppression by the whole team’s strength.
The Spurs played as if they were robots, with each offensive collaboration being extremely logical.
Zeng Xingyang was still caught in the troubles brought by Leonard and Danny Green’s relentless defense.
Jokic was further schooled by Duncan.
With both main guys being restricted, the Nuggets naturally struggled.
Lost to the Spurs once more.
This four-game losing streak made some media excited, and they started attacking the Nuggets.
The haters also began to bash Zeng Xingyang.
Under the combined offensive of the media and haters, Zeng Xingyang felt very frustrated.
During the four-game losing streak, Zeng Xingyang’s performance was just average, averaging 20 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds.
The stats looked pretty good, but the efficiency was slightly lower than when they were winning before.
The opponents’ defensive focus on him was evidently stronger than at the start of the season, while Jokic’s plays were becoming familiar to opponents.
This caused greater trouble for him.
Veteran Nelson comforted him: "The season is extremely long, failure is inevitable, you need to learn to adjust your mindset."
"Don’t worry about others laughing at you; they have to face unpleasant lives the next day anyway, your loss is just their outlet to vent."
Zeng Xingyang replied: "This chicken soup is good, I’ll finish it..."
The four-game losing streak not only placed Zeng Xingyang under great pressure, but also put Ma Long and Connelly under significant stress.
Because the next game, the Nuggets are going to Golden State!!!
The Nuggets will face last season’s reigning champions.
Warriors fans naturally think they will hand the Nuggets a five-game losing streak!
If the Nuggets really lose five in a row, Ma Long and Connelly worry that the team might enter a state of continuous defeat-induced negative energy like last season!