NBA: Rising Superstar!

Chapter 501 - 413: West Champion and the Finals!

As the commentators chatted, the game on the court continued.

Butler came to the sideline to make an inbound pass.

Zeng Xingyang, Jokic, Gordon, and others gathered near the free-throw line.

As the referee handed the ball to Butler, he began the countdown.

The players in the middle quickly dispersed.

Jokic set a screen for Zeng Xingyang, who couldn’t get the ball on his first run to the left three-point line, so he headed towards the top of the key.

Seeing there wasn’t much time, Butler decisively passed the ball to Zeng Xingyang.

"Whoosh!"

Zeng Xingyang caught the ball on the move, not even able to adjust his form.

He shot it horseback-style!!!

Harden was unable to block it.

As soon as the ball left Zeng Xingyang’s hand, the light flashed.

The basketball was soaring through the air at that moment.

The crowd and the players on the court all watched that ball.

Ultimately.

"Bang!"

"Swish!"

The basketball banked in the basket.

Zeng Xingyang stood with one hand raised high, and the entire Nuggets team rushed towards him.

to 1.

Refusing to go on the road again!

Securing a buzzer-beater at home for the win! Marching proudly into the finals!!

The fans at the Denver Pepsi Center were jumping for joy.

The big screen replayed the buzzer-beater over and over!

The entire city of Denver was in a frenzy.

Zeng Xingyang’s game-winning shot in G5 was destined to go down in NBA history, and when looking back at highlight reels, this shot would be replayed countless times.

"Western Conference Champions!"

"Amazing!"

"They did it again!"

"The Nuggets are so dominant in the West."

"I bet Durant’s mentality in Oakland is crumbling."

"Incredible!"

"The Nuggets are amazing."

"The Rockets are also an inspiring team, they just had the misfortune of facing the Nuggets."

"Haha, they’ve practically booked this year’s championship ahead of time."

...

In the CCTV studio.

Zhang Weiping sighed, "Up to now, the Nuggets have finally reached the Western Conference Finals again, and they’ve maintained their momentum on court."

Xu Jicheng said, "It feels great to be able to see the Nuggets in the finals again."

....

By this time, the entire Nuggets team, after a nominal acceptance of the Western Conference Championship trophy, returned to the locker room to continue celebrating.

The Nuggets didn’t put much emphasis on this trophy; their goal now is solely the championship!!

In a post-game interview, Butler candidly stated, "This trophy doesn’t hold much meaning; only the championship really matters."

If neither conference champion can win the championship, it would mean they face failure.

"Zeng Xingyang pulls off a stunning buzzer-beater, Nuggets eliminate the Rockets and advance to the finals!"

"Dominating the league; Zeng Xingyang shows MVP brilliance once more!"

"If they win the championship this year, Zeng Xingyang’s historical status will rise again!"

"Crazy Zeng Xingyang crushes the Rockets!!"

Two days later, the result from the East came out as well.

As expected, James eliminated the "Trash Brothers" and will meet the Nuggets in the finals.

This is a repeat of last season’s final matchup.

However, both teams seem weaker than last season; of course, the Cavaliers are much weaker.

The Cavaliers’ starting point guard has changed from Owen to Dellavedova.

Against Eastern Teams, Dellavedova at this position barely made an impression, but against Zeng Xingyang, he’s bound to be outmatched.

After a week of rest, the two teams started the finals’ G1 in Denver.

Cavaliers’ starters: Dellavedova, JR Smith, James, Love, and TT.

Nuggets’ starters: Zeng Xingyang, Butler, Pope, Siakam, and Jokic.

Gordon sprained in a practice game; he needs to rest for at least two games.

Gordon originally didn’t want to rest, but he just cannot play.

The first attack belonged to the Nuggets.

Butler quickly dribbled to the frontcourt, with Zeng Xingyang positioning on the left.

Butler passed the ball to the speeding Zeng Xingyang.

Zeng Xingyang didn’t wait for teammates and opponents to settle and instead drove quickly to the inside.

Dellavedova couldn’t keep up with Zeng Xingyang, and was directly beat.

Love stepped up to help defend against Zeng Xingyang.

Love came forward, and Zeng Xingyang used Love’s body to perform a fantastic spin into the basket for an easy layup.

to 2.

Zeng Xingyang’s swift strike stirred the on-site fans’ emotions.

The fans were cheering and screaming.

Zhang Weiping laughed, "It was a classic personal attack, Zeng Xingyang so easily scored inside."

Xu Jicheng said, "The Cavaliers’ defense is too lax."

The Cavaliers came on the offensive.

Now the Cavaliers’ offense heavily relies on James, and without Owen’s aggressive point, it’s obviously harder for them against the Nuggets.

The Nuggets’ defense was tenacious, not allowing the Cavaliers any openings.

Ultimately, JR Smith attempted a contested long three over Butler’s defense.

"Clang!"

The result was the basketball slapped hard against the rim and bounced away.

Immediately, Jokic grabbed the ball high.

When JR Smith attempted his forced shot, Zeng Xingyang had already judged that it wouldn’t go in, so he rushed forward.

Jokic swiftly flung the ball forward.

The basketball zoomed past the crowd, landing in Zeng Xingyang’s hands on the frontcourt.

After receiving the ball, Zeng Xingyang made a dribble adjustment and quickly took a three-point shot.

"Swish!"

Sublimely cutting through the net!!

to 5.

The fans’ cheers erupted.

The Nuggets’ fans were shouting and screaming.

The Cavaliers’ players felt the pressure.

They never imagined that this game’s tempo would be so fast.

On the court, Dellavedova signaled as he advanced.

Zeng Xingyang approached to defend closely.

As an Australian Team player, Dellavedova was skilled at physical confrontations.

But in this physical battle, he was at a disadvantage against Zeng Xingyang.

"Bang!"

Zeng Xingyang body-checked Dellavedova and quickly reached forward.

"Slap!"

Zeng Xingyang used his long arms to complete the steal.

This kind of steal is deadly for the offensive side.

The other Cavaliers players were r running hard downcourt but found the ball wasn’t coming.

Zeng Xingyang seldom stole NBA guards one-on-one like this, but it wasn’t unprecedented.

Dellavedova initially wanted to contest the steal, but Zeng Xingyang was too quick.

Zeng Xingyang charged ahead to finish with a tomahawk dunk.

"Boom!!"

to 7.

"Time out!!"

Tyronn Lue decisively called a timeout, as the Cavaliers couldn’t match the intensity of the Nuggets right from the start.

James looked at Dellavedova without saying anything!

If Owen were here, the ball wouldn’t have been stolen like this!

James could already feel that this series might be tough.

"Slap!"

"Beautiful steal!"

Butler shouted.

Upon entering the finals and seeing the Cavaliers’ lineup, the Nuggets were filled with confidence.

They were keenly aware of Owen’s impact on James.