The Nuggets fell behind from the start of this game, constantly pressured by the Raptors’ offense both inside and outside throughout.
The biggest impact of the decline in stamina is the reduced willingness to defend from the entire team.
Feet can’t keep up, mentally exhausted, lacking the physical strength to challenge the opponent.
Playing makes it easier for the Raptors.
This kind of consecutive away games in the NBA is a great test for both the players’ physical stamina and psychology.
Zeng Xingyang’s solo tactics weren’t as effective as before.
Lowry is short but taller than Little Thomas, and his style of play is very tough, his actions very ruthless.
Zeng Xingyang was already very tired, so the success rate dropped sharply.
Jokic was also caught in a struggle with Valanciunas, Valan is tall and has physical confrontation, in a situation where teammates can’t find openings, Jokic was severely limited too.
The final score of the game was 89 to 105, the Nuggets lost miserably by 16 points to the Raptors on the road, ending their winning streak.
Zeng Xingyang scored 22 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and made 4 assists with statistics of hitting 2 out of 12 three-pointers, and 5 out of 11 two-pointers, along with 6 out of 8 free throws.
Jokic had 9 points, 15 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Given such poor performances from the two main players, it’s not surprising the Nuggets lost.
After this game, the Nuggets returned to their home court...
The time in January flew by in an instant.
In the latter part of January, the Nuggets experienced a wave of injuries, with Pope, Harris, Galinarli, and other rotation players successively entering the injury list, which somewhat dampened their momentum.
By February 1st, the Nuggets had a record of 28 wins and 22 losses, still holding the sixth place in the West.
The entire Nuggets team came to Los Angeles, where they would face the dual challenges of the Clippers and Lakers.
A day before the game, Zeng Xingyang received an invitation from a friend.
Chinese students in Los Angeles invited him through two of Zeng Xingyang’s high school classmates to a party to celebrate the upcoming New Year.
February 8th is the Spring Festival, the most significant celebration for Chinese people.
Zeng Xingyang accepted the invitation, calling on Jokic and two bodyguards hired by the team to attend the party.
Zeng Xingyang’s purpose in attending the party was simple: catching up with classmates and relaxing his mind.
Fighting alone abroad, physical fatigue is joined by mental fatigue.
The party was held at Boulevard3, a famous nightclub in Los Angeles, half of which was reserved by several rich kids from China.
Tonight, the entire nightclub was filled with the festive atmosphere of the Chinese New Year.
The presence of couplets, lanterns, and other elements made this American nightclub quite special.
Doing all this requires a considerable expense.
However, not every college student studying in the United States faces such hardships as Zeng Xingyang initially did; most of them are quite wealthy.
After entering the NBA, Zeng Xingyang’s social circle expanded, and he met many influential figures within the Chinese community, along with some of the second-generation wealthy.
Many parents of these second-generation wealthy are richer than Zeng Xingyang is at present.
As soon as Zeng Xingyang and Jokic entered, the waiters quickly brought over four cups of expensive XO.
"You Chinese people are really quite rich," Jokic said lifting the glass.
Currently, Jokic is still earning a relatively low salary, so he often avoids high expenses.
Zeng Xingyang shrugged: "There are wealthy people everywhere."
He doesn’t feel it’s glorious; he doesn’t enjoy extravagant living.
Rather than hosting parties at nightclubs, he prefers spending time at larger restaurants or schools.
The surrounding students came rushing to greet Zeng Xingyang, asking for photos and autographs.
Jokic soon chatted away with some Serbian fans.
Jokic is a very talkative person when familiar, he can be quite the chatterbox.
Both quickly became the center of their respective groups.
After gaining fame, Zeng Xingyang noticed the good people around him increased, their temperaments became friendlier.
It’s entirely different from the time when he was a poor student.
Soon, a second-generation friend who Zeng Xingyang knows stepped onto the stage, picked up a microphone, and started announcing some festive words, followed by an introduction of today’s itinerary.
It was mostly singing and dancing, with some third-tier celebrities performing.
Zeng Xingyang sat with his two high-school classmates, chatting away and reminiscing.
Occasionally raising his head to watch the programs, tasting some wine.
He hadn’t enjoyed such a life for a long time.
A few beautiful female students came over one after another, trying to flirt with Zeng Xingyang, asking for his phone number and WeChat—but he declined them all.
Zeng Xingyang was not lacking women, and he did not want to engage with women who had strong objectives.
Soon after, Zeng Xingyang stood up to go to the restroom.
Upon exiting the restroom, Zeng Xingyang saw a white youth forcefully dragging an intoxicated girl with an Asian face towards the restroom.
"F*ck, get out of the way," the white youth said, as Zeng Xingyang was quite bulky and obstructed the path.
Originally, Zeng Xing was planning to pass by, unaware of their relationship; many students prefer whites, it’s none of his business.
"Help me, I...I am unwilling, I don’t know him."
The girl saw Zeng Xingyang and quickly shouted in Chinese towards him.
Then she kept pounding the white youth’s body with her fists, indicating her refusal.
Although the girl’s Chinese was somewhat awkward, Zeng Xingyang understood her clearly.
Seeing her, Zeng Xingyang felt the girl looked somewhat familiar.