Chapter 418: Chapter 330, G1 Battle! (1)
Denver!
The Nuggets entered the Western playoffs for the second consecutive year, and the Pepsi Center in Denver was instantly swept by a passionate golden wave.
The arena, built and opened in 1999 at an altitude of 1606 meters on the plateau, can accommodate 19,309 spectators. At this moment, it is completely ignited by the enthusiasm of these fans, transforming into an indestructible devil’s home court.
"MVP!"
"MVP!"
"MVP!"
The waves of cheers echoed under the dome of the arena, becoming higher and higher.
When Zeng Xingyang stepped onto the court, ready to face the first playoff match, the crowd’s chants instantly aligned, as if forming a tangible force.
Zeng Xingyang is now the spiritual pillar in the hearts of Nuggets fans, his every move tightly pulling at their heartstrings.
In the Nuggets’ locker room, the pre-game atmosphere is relaxed yet filled with confidence.
Head coach Mike Malone stood by the tactical board, his eyes firmly sweeping over each player, and said decisively, "If the tactics are blocked, just pass the ball to Zeng, and everyone else, spread out!"
The words were firm, carrying an unquestionable charisma.
Throughout the past season, Zeng Xingyang has proven his strength as the team’s core with countless spectacular performances. The teammates nodded in agreement, convinced by his words.
On the other side, the Grizzlies’ locker room was filled with heaviness.
Facing the Nuggets, who had impressively achieved 75 regular season victories, they felt unprecedented pressure.
Although the Grizzlies had once defeated the Nuggets in the regular season, standing on the playoff stage now, they knew well that conquering such a formidable opponent four times in a row was almost an impossible task.
No one in the world believed in them.
"Don’t worry!"
"They are just human too; we have a chance to beat them."
Randolph was speaking.
The crowd echoed him.
This season, Randolph’s form had declined significantly, lacking much of his past dominance.
Mike Conley and Mark Gasol looked serious, with furrowed brows. They clearly understood how strong tonight’s opponent was. The Bulls’ remarkable record of 72 wins and 10 losses and the Lakers’ magnificent 33-game winning streak, both of which had been overtaken by the Nuggets this season.
This Nuggets team is undoubtedly one of the most dominant teams in NBA history; even if the peak-period Bulls were to challenge them, the outcome would be unpredictable.
But they also understood that, as the eighth-ranked team in the West, no matter how difficult the road ahead, they must bravely face the challenge of the Nuggets.
Compared to the joyful and spirited Nuggets, the Grizzlies seemed more like a disciplined and silently preparing army, each person quietly accumulating strength in their hearts, ready to face this arduous battle.
In TNT’s studio, Barkley was seriously analyzing this game: "Before the game, 12 reporters unanimously predicted the Nuggets would beat the Grizzlies by a huge margin of 12 to 0. Indeed, the whole world sees the Nuggets’ absolute advantage, but does this mean the Grizzlies have no chance?"
Pausing slightly, he looked at the camera, "On the NBA court, miracles can happen at any time. The playoffs have frequently witnessed underdog moments; as long as the final whistle of the game hasn’t sounded, anything is possible."
Smith next to him took up the conversation, adding, "The Grizzlies don’t need to care about outside voices. Many teams, at the season’s end, scrambled to control rankings to avoid the Nuggets, even going as far as deliberately losing games. But they are different; they maintain a professional attitude, giving their all in every game. At the very least, they have the courage to face strong enemies directly."
Looking back at the season-end Western court situation, it was complicated.
Many strong teams went to great lengths to avoid meeting the Nuggets too early in the playoffs, employing various tactics.
Some teams acted extremely irregular in games to avoid fourth or fifth place rankings, deliberately losing games they should win, and unexpectedly winning games they should lose, causing various anomalies.
But the Grizzlies kept their rhythm, relying on stable performance to smoothly enter the playoffs.
As the two commentators delved into discussion, the TV screen prominently displayed the starting lineups of both teams.
Nuggets’ starters: Zeng Xingyang, Butler, Pope, Gordon, Jokic.
This lineup combines offensive firepower with defensive intensity, with players in every position being standouts in the league, showing great teamwork and strong capability.
Grizzlies’ starters: Conley, Tony Allen, Chandler Parsons, Randolph, Little Gasol.
This team continues the traditional playstyle, with the center, power forward, small forward, shooting guard, and point guard each playing their role, known for solid defense and strong team coordination.
Mike Conley is the team’s scoring leader, averaging 20 points and 6.5 assists per game; the black and white twin stars Randolph and Little Gasol are also team pillars, Randolph averaging 14 points 8 rebounds, Little Gasol averaging 19 points 6.5 rebounds 4.5 assists, their dominance on the inside cannot be overlooked.
The Grizzlies’ playstyle runs counter to the current trend seeking speed and three-pointers, they hold onto tradition, relying on solid fundamentals and team collaboration, to stand firm in the fiercely competitive Western Conference.
Under Coach Fizdale’s leadership, they solidly advanced to the playoffs.
However, in Zeng Xingyang’s eyes, this Grizzlies’ lineup is aged and their offensive rhythm is slow, whether it’s the black and white twin stars or Carter on the bench, they seem to carry the imprints of the past era.
Against them, as long as the Nuggets stay focused, they won’t have a chance.
With the referee’s whistle, Little Gasol and Jokic stood in the center circle, ready for the jump ball.
The two simultaneously leaped high, and Jokic, with excellent judgment and arm span, effortlessly tipped the ball in the direction of Zeng Xingyang.
Zeng Xingyang firmly caught the ball, and in an instant, Tony Allen shadowed him closely, attempting to disrupt his dribbling rhythm.
At the same time, other Grizzlies players quickly contracted the defense line, instantly raising the defensive intensity.
All this was expected by the Nuggets, as the Grizzlies are known for their tough defense; unless showing positive defensive attitude, they can’t withstand the Nuggets’ powerful offensive firepower.
Zeng Xingyang skillfully dribbled with his left hand, while his right hand extended, cleverly blocking Tony Allen’s interference.
He suddenly spun, utilizing his excellent explosive force and speed, easily shaking off Tony Allen’s entanglement.
Immediately, he quickly dribbled forward, without a moment’s hesitation, using Jokic’s solid screen, a change of direction accelerating like a lightning bolt directly penetrating the paint.
Seeing this, the Grizzlies rapidly shrank the middle defense line, trying to trap him.
But Zeng Xingyang’s speed was too fast, his impact too strong, he broke through the Grizzlies’ encirclement like entering an empty land, with a secondary acceleration.
Underneath the basket, Little Gasol, to prevent Zeng Xingyang from scoring, had no choice but to foul him, only 7 seconds into the game, sending Zeng Xingyang to the free-throw line for two opportunities.