The Nuggets make another lineup adjustment.
Nelson, Zeng Xingyang, Pope, Grant, Jokic.
Mike Malone moves Zeng Xingyang to the shooting guard position to avoid a direct matchup with Holiday.
Holiday’s ability to wrap is very strong, making it a bit troublesome for Zeng Xingyang to play with the ball.
The Pelicans also make personnel adjustments: Holiday, Gordon, Evans, Anderson, Davis.
Gentry still lets Anthony Davis match up with Jokic, believing his beloved star can handle the rookie.
After the timeout, it’s the Nuggets’ offense.
Nelson dribbles past half-court and passes to Jokic, who has come out to support, possessing better coordination abilities than others.
For the Pelicans, Evans actively switches defense with Gordon, coming to wrap around Zeng Xingyang.
Grant cuts in with Anderson, while Zeng Xingyang runs out from the inside to receive a hand-off pass from Jokic.
Jokic smoothly hands off the ball and sets another screen.
Evans works hard to bypass Jokic’s body, continuing to pressure Zeng Xingyang.
Evans’ defensive ability is indeed good; even with a pick-and-roll, Zeng Xingyang can’t easily shake him off.
But the pick-and-roll tactic between Zeng Xingyang and Jokic is clearly not that simple, as Jokic’s screen comes again.
This time he is blocked, and Zeng Xingyang takes advantage of the screen to shift right and quickly accelerate for an inside drive.
Davis comes to help defense, while Evans continues to chase Zeng Xingyang.
After breaking into a low position, Zeng Xingyang passes back to Jokic between the free throw line and the three-second area.
Jokic catches the ball without pressure and casually throws it; Gordon, who is helping on defense, does not interfere at all.
Zeng Xingyang delivers another assist.
"Rookie, is the only thing you know how to do is use the pick-and-roll to play?" Evans couldn’t help but taunt.
"Yeah, I’m clearly telling you, I play the pick-and-roll, can you defend it?" Zeng Xingyang replied.
"Coward!" Evans no longer paid attention to Zeng Xingyang.
Holiday dribbles to the frontcourt, then bounces the ball to Davis on the right side of the free throw line; Jokic is still on Davis.
Holiday frowned; he actually felt Davis was struggling but continued to give him the ball due to him being the team leader.
As expected, Davis feints, and Jokic doesn’t fall for it, Davis leans in for a right-side acceleration, and Jokic comes to block.
Jokic’s speed isn’t fast, but he can keep up with Davis’ breakthrough speed.
During the breakthrough, Davis feels a massive confrontation and can’t continue his offense.
Davis reluctantly passes the ball to Evans.
At this time, Evans, outside the right three-point line, faces Zeng Xingyang’s defense.
Evans dribbles to the right, sharply taps to the left, leaning forward to charge.
Evans’ breakthrough is full of physical confrontation, which Zeng Xingyang is least afraid of.
Evans’ strategy is straightforward; he wants to force his way through Zeng Xingyang’s defense.
Zeng Xingyang maintains his positional advantage, almost jumping at the same time.
The ball Evans held didn’t even release, quickly swatted down by Zeng Xingyang.
The basketball is controlled by Jokic, and Davis attempts to steal back but ends up committing a foul.
Zeng Xingyang’s block was so fierce that he managed a one-on-one block against Evans, causing a gasp from Pelicans fans at the scene.
Although they know Zeng Xingyang’s defense is strong, Evans’ breakthrough is his signature move, and he, being a standard small forward in stature, often bulldozes to the basket to score, making others mere backdrop.
But this time, he became Zeng Xingyang’s backdrop.
Not only did Zeng Xingyang block Evans’ shot, but due to the massive impact, Evans also fell out of bounds.
This block, with both the man and the ball, is extremely visually striking.
Of course, for Evans, it’s intensely humiliating.
Evans’ insulting words towards Zeng Xingyang before the game made this block even more valuable!
After completing the block, Zeng Xingyang did not roar but stepped back with a smile and waved his finger at the camera, avoiding the referee.
"Clack, clack, clack!!!"
That’s the first feeling for many Zeng Xingyang fans.
No matter how arrogant Evans’ pregame chatter was, this block is the best reply.
A consistently tough Evans never imagined he’d suffer such humiliation; looking up and seeing Zeng Xingyang waving his finger, he felt it was a direct taunt, making his blood boil and wanting to rush at Zeng Xingyang after standing up.
But Zeng Xingyang’s eyes don’t flinch: "What, can’t beat me on the court, want to fight? I’m ready anytime."
Evans ultimately just clenches his fists, taking no further action.
His current situation is already poor, and if he causes a fight on the Pelicans, his situation would worsen.
Evans eventually passes by Zeng Xingyang as if nothing happened.
The security personnel on the sidelines quickly lower their guard.
Evans is very cautious against Zeng Xingyang now; just earlier, Zeng Xingyang’s defense had no gaps and straightforwardly blocked his offense.
Going forward, dealing with Zeng Xingyang will require more caution.
Nelson dribbles to the frontcourt, once again giving it to Jokic.
The same tactic as before.
Zeng Xingyang receives the ball from Jokic and breaks to the right with a pick-and-roll.