Zeng Xingyang on the court was also helped up by Faried and Jokic.
Faried and Jokic both felt very excited.
"Later they should change their defensive strategy, not letting that guy guard me. Nikola, it’ll be your turn to take him one-on-one," Zeng Xingyang said.
"Alright, leave it to me. If they double team, I’ll look for you guys," Jokic confidently replied.
Jokic felt even less concerned about Little Thomas’s defense.
On the sidelines, at the Celtics’ coaching bench.
Stevens instructed, "If Isaiah encounters Zeng later, double team."
The Celtics players all responded.
Little Thomas’s face felt hot; he clearly noticed that now both the head coach and his teammates saw him as a defensive weak point.
This feeling was very uncomfortable. He has always wanted to prove himself, to shatter the doubts.
But now, facing this situation, he just couldn’t change it. Zeng Xingyang playing against him was no different from Durant playing against him...
Only continuous offense could redeem some of it.
The pressure on the Nuggets’ side slightly eased; Zeng Xingyang’s consecutive scoring gave Mike Malone hope for a comeback.
If Little Thomas is taken off, the Celtics’ offense will have trouble.
Coach Zhang said dominantly, "Three consecutive plays targeting Little Thomas, he’s just Xingyang’s toy, he can score at will. Let’s see how Xingyang plays him next."
Watching Xingyang play, Coach Zhang was completely thrilled, occasionally erupting in his comments.
I knew Xingyang would not disappoint me!
Today the CCTV commentary is solo, otherwise, the announcer next to Coach Zhang would be scared seeing him in this state.
The timeout ended quickly.
Zeng Xingyang stood at the free-throw line and steadily made the additional free throw.
This flurry of scoring reduced the gap between the two teams to single digits.
The Celtics’ offense.
Little Thomas took advantage of the Nuggets’ slow switch to drive in.
He went under the basket and drew a foul on Faried with body contact.
Little Thomas fell heavily to the ground.
Little Thomas’s free throw was affected and missed.
Second free throw, with a slight adjustment.
Little Thomas relaxed slightly after making the free throw.
Nuggets’ offense again.
Bradley kept guarding Zeng Xingyang.
After Zeng Xingyang dribbled to the frontcourt, he prepared to go one-on-one with Little Thomas again.
He signaled Pope to provide a screen.
Even though Little Thomas switched defense, Bradley came along to double team.
Zeng Xingyang quickly passed the ball back to Pope.
Crowder quickly rotated to cover Pope.
Zeng Xingyang stretched the defense, and Jokic came up to set an off-ball screen for Zeng Xingyang. As Bradley maneuvered around Jokic’s screen to chase Zeng Xingyang, it left Little Thomas to contend with Jokic.
Pope passed the ball back to Jokic.
Jokic posted up Little Thomas.
An absolute display of power, this mismatch left no suspense.
Amir Johnson, after Jokic squeezed into the paint, chose to double team with Little Thomas.
Before the double team could close in, Jokic lobbed the ball into the air.
Faried flew along the baseline, grabbing Jokic’s pass with both hands, and slammed the ball into the hoop.
Jokic and Faried high-fived, then Jokic nodded towards Zeng Xingyang.
Zeng Xingyang’s guess was indeed correct; the Celtics had changed their defense.
The Celtics’ offense again.
Little Thomas, after attempting to break through, didn’t finish himself but passed to the cutting Bradley.
Bradley’s flying layup was interrupted by Jokic.
The layup fell short.
Jokic grabbed the rebound.
This time, the Celtics’ transition defense was a bit slow; Jokic carried the ball to counterattack.
Jokic made a ground pass to the right side, bursting Zeng Xingyang.
Zeng Xingyang, on the move, drew the defense and then passed to the trailing Pope.
Pope soared for a layup and scored steadily.
Although Zeng Xingyang also had a scoring opportunity here, he chose to pass to the better-positioned Pope.
Zeng Xingyang was never short of scoring chances; when teammates could score, he would usually assist.
This could somewhat encourage teammates’ defensive enthusiasm.
The Celtics’ offense again.
Little Thomas dribbled to the frontcourt, and after a series of passes, gave the ball to Amir Johnson inside.
Amir Johnson attempted to go one-on-one with Jokic.
Amir Johnson couldn’t budge Jokic with brute force; after one bump, he spun around.
However, Jokic countered Amir Johnson’s move, causing him to stagger.
Amir Johnson forcibly gathered the ball, and Jokic decisively swiped at it.
Zeng Xingyang controlled the rebound.
Bradley tried to steal it back, but Zeng Xingyang raised the ball high above.
Bradley fouled Zeng Xingyang while trying to bump him.
Nuggets’ offense again.
Zeng Xingyang dribbled to the frontcourt.
He tried to find Little Thomas, but with too many people around and no good opportunity, Zeng Xingyang passed to Jokic for transition.
Then Zeng Xingyang ran towards Pope.
Pope caught on and set another off-ball screen for Zeng Xingyang.
Soon, Little Thomas switched defense to Zeng Xingyang again at the low right post.
Crowder at the top wanted to double team quickly, but Zeng Xingyang didn’t give him the chance.
As soon as he received the ball, he crashed into Little Thomas, gathered the ball while spinning towards the baseline, and took a fadeaway jump shot.