Chapter 155: The Nuggets try every possible means to sabotage, Wang Yan's assist is very dangerous
The Nuggets are a strong team this season and are currently ranked fourth in the Western Conference, in the same tier as the Thunder, Spurs, and Warriors, with only half a game difference in wins.

Sometimes when the Spurs or Thunder lose and the Nuggets win, they will move up one place.

The head coach of the Denver Nuggets, Karl, is a ruthless man. Before the game, he made a bold statement to the media: "I will never let Wang Yan get more than 20 assists!"

The reason why a coach made such a guarantee was because there was news about Wang Yan’s assists in the past few days.

The news said: Wang Yan was making a bet with Magic Johnson.

Of course, this is just gossip. The major media did not report it, but many small media and fans were spreading it.

There is no other way but to use this to explain why Wang Yan suddenly became so keen on assisting.

I can only say that magical people have magical performances!

Whatever the real reason, the two teams have already started to compete with each other.

Winning or losing is no longer important because the Cavaliers are now in their heyday and winning is normal.

As long as we can ruin Wang Yan’s “gamble”, we’ll win!
The media was also hyping this matter before the game, and even during the interview, the reporter asked Wang Yan directly about it.

"Wang, I heard that you were making a bet with Magic Johnson. Is that true?"

Wang Yan was confused and wondered what this had to do with anything.

"No, I won't bet with anyone using game data. This is disrespectful to the fans and opponents!"

Wang Yan denied it firmly.

But the reporters believed it and continued to ask questions.

But no matter how they asked, Wang Yan refused to admit it.

Finally, Wang Yan got tired of asking questions and waved his hand, saying, "Since you don't believe it, you can go ask Erwin. He will give you the answer!"

7:30 pm, Cleveland.

Quicken Loans Center.

The Cavaliers face the Nuggets at home.

The Nuggets' starting lineup is Ty Lawson, Gallinari, Iguodala, Faried, and Kosta Koufos.

The Cavaliers' starting five is still TT, Wang Yan, Jamison, Middleton and Irving.

Irving returned from injury and won cheers from home fans.

However, Butler rested again, and he was replaced by Middleton, who has performed well recently.

Cavaliers fans have complicated feelings towards Wang Yan. They hope that he can rest for a few games and stay healthy, but they don't want to see games without Wang Yan.

However, Wang Yan's health has never been a cause for concern. He even found time to participate in WWE. He is truly an iron man!
In the center circle jump ball, Wang Yan easily crushed the white center Costa and grabbed the first wave of ball possession.

Faried of the Nuggets is a tough guy with great hair.

There are several black players with long hair in the NBA, and they are all fierce players. At first, Wang Yan couldn't tell who was who.

Relying on his excellent physical fitness, Farid wanted to challenge Wang Yan, so after the jump ball, he stuck close to Wang Yan and prevented him from completing his opening show.

Although he was not as tall as Wang Yan, he was strong enough and his lower body was very stable, so Wang Yan did feel a little uncomfortable.

But Wang Yan was not in a hurry to get rid of him, so he entangled with him.

Irving dribbled through, but when he reached the penalty area, he did not shoot, but instead went around in a circle.

At this time, Wang Yan suddenly accelerated and rushed towards the left side of the basket.

Farid hurriedly followed closely, but Wang Yan turned around and tricked him.

It can only be said that Wang Yan's ankles are really made of special materials. If he were a big center, his ankles would definitely not be able to bear this sudden stop and turn.

But Wang Yan rushed to the right side of the basket at an extremely fast speed, and Irving threw it upwards, bang!
Opening show completed!

Farid looked at Wang Yan in confusion. He couldn't understand how Wang Yan, a 2-meter-tall strong man, could be so fast and more flexible than a defender?

The Cavaliers home fans never get tired of Wang Yan's opening show.

After admiring Wang Yan's dunk, they clapped their hands contentedly and sat down.

Nuggets head coach Karl pouted on the sidelines with a serious expression.

He knew he couldn't stop Wang Yan's dunk, but his task today was to disrupt Wang Yan's assist, so he was not in a hurry.

The Nuggets attack.

Ty Lawson is a good player. He is strong and has solid skills. Irving really can't defend him.

Under Costa's cover, Ty Lawson rushed to the baseline and made a mid-range shot!

The tactic of staying away from Wang Yan is still adopted.

2:2
Cavaliers attack.

Irving knew that Wang Yan liked to pass the ball recently, so as soon as he crossed half court, he took the initiative to give the ball to Wang Yan and ran to the bottom corner himself.

This is the Cavaliers. No one fights for the ball. Whoever has the hot hand gets to shoot!

As soon as Wang Yan received the ball, he found that the Nuggets players did not double-team him.

Only Gallinari was on top defense, while the other players were guarding their own men closely and never left.

The purpose is clear, which is to prevent them from catching the ball.

Don't you, Wang Yan, like to pass the ball? Then I will lock down all your teammates.

He would rather be shot to death by Wang Yan than let him pass the ball.

Wang Yan wanted to laugh.

This coach Carl is really speechless.

is this necessary?

It's just two glasses of poison, just choose one.

Wang Yan broke through with the ball, and although Gallinari tried his best, he still couldn't defend him.

Rushing to the basket, Wang Yan easily scored two points.

There really is no double-team!
Wang Yan smiled and shook his head.

But he was still a little anxious.

According to this style of play, it will be difficult to get more than 20 assists today...

In the first half of the first quarter, Wang Yan had 0 assists, but he scored 11 points himself. The score between the two sides was 16:12, with the Cavaliers leading.

Coach Karl seemed very satisfied with the result.

Anyway, you are not allowed to complete the assist. If you have the ability, score by yourself!
Scott called a timeout, he knew that Wang Yan was not playing well today.

Because every time Wang Yan held the ball, he looked left and right to observe the movements of his teammates.

However, the Nuggets players were determined not to double-team Wang Yan and to guard against other Cavaliers players, which was a confrontation with Wang Yan.

Scott didn't have any good ideas, so he took the initiative to discuss with Wang Yan, hoping that other players would cooperate with Wang Yan as much as possible.

"King, are there any changes that need to be made?"

Wang Yan shook his head and said nothing more.

He likes and enjoys Bai Qiao's passing skill package. If he doesn't get 20 assists in this game, he will lose this skill package.

Wang Yan really couldn't bear to let him go.

So he had to think of a good solution.

So in the second half of the first quarter, Wang Yan did not play and rested downstairs.

Wang Yan held his chin with his right hand, thinking about countermeasures.

At the end of the first quarter, the score was 29:27, and the Nuggets overtook by 2 points.

The Cavaliers home fans were all wondering why Wang Yan only played for more than 6 minutes in the first quarter?
Are you hurt?

Amid the fans' puzzled gazes, Wang Yan appeared on the court again.

The fans cheered!
Wang Yan's expression was different from before, with a smile on his face.

It seems that he has figured out how to deal with the Nuggets' restrictions.

"I have to get 20 assists today. Even Jesus can't stop me!"

At the beginning of the second quarter, Wang Yan brought four substitutes to play.

The Nuggets continued with their previous strategy, which was to defend individually, and would rather let Wang Yan be killed than let him pass the ball.

Unexpectedly, the Cavaliers' substitute players started to set cross screens.

The substitute players kept running, using their teammates' bodies to run back and forth. Wang Yan also shuttled in and out of the crowd.

Wang Yan is tall and has a broad vision, and now his teammates have created many opportunities by running at all costs.

Wang Yan uses his superb passing skills and can always easily find the best passing route.

Whoosh!
Wang Yan passed the ball from behind, accurately putting it into Thomas' hands like a scalpel.

Thomas Jr. scored a layup, but there was no one in front of him!
Assist +1
Afterwards, Wang Yan brought the art of passing the ball to perfection.

Cross pass!

Pass the ball behind the head!

Fake pass without looking at the person!

In just over 4 minutes, Wang Yan had 4 assists!
Nuggets head coach Karl was anxious and waved his arms and yelled on the sidelines.

However, the Cavaliers' tactics were too clever and their players fought very hard, so their running and screening moves could not be completely defended.

This is conspiracy!
There was no choice, Carl had to call a timeout and replace the main lineup.

The Cavaliers also made substitutions.

The timeout is over and the main players from both teams will face off.

The Cavaliers' other main players, like the substitute players just now, also started running around.

The Nuggets' main players couldn't stand it anymore.

There's no way to defend against this!
In Wang Yan’s vision, there were only flaws. It was really cool!

In the second half of the second quarter, Wang Yan stayed on the court and kept providing assists.

The Cavaliers started to take the lead and the gap gradually widened, and the Nuggets could not hold on.

At the end of the first half, the score was 61:46, with the Cavaliers leading.

Wang Yan didn't score a single point in the second quarter, but he had 9 assists!
9 assists in a single quarter, he is simply a passing master!
Wang Yan was completely enjoying the joy of passing the ball, and he found it so boring to score!
Nuggets head coach Karl gave up completely.

He no longer stood on the sidelines, but sat in the coaching booth, slumped there, too lazy to talk.

At the start of the third quarter, the Cavaliers continued to implement the tactics of the second quarter, but the Nuggets also responded.

They started switching defenses endlessly, not giving Wang Yan any chance to pass the ball.

The Nuggets players all have top-notch physical strength and are called the "Nuggets Track and Field Team."

This is mainly because the Nuggets' home court is located in a plateau area, and they exercise in an environment with thin oxygen every day.

Over time, your lung capacity will become stronger.

Other teams were not able to adapt when they arrived at the Nuggets' home court.

When the Nuggets players arrived at other home courts, they were like tigers descending from the mountains, with abundant physical strength.

In addition, the Nuggets players are of average height, most of them are around 2 meters tall, and they are not slow.

So Wang Yan's passing route was locked again.

It became easy for Wang Yan to score points, but it became difficult to provide assists.

Scott immediately called a timeout to give Wang Yan some time to resolve the situation.

He himself doesn't have any tricks, but Scott believes that Wang Yan must have a solution!

Sure enough, during the break, Wang Yan covered his head with a towel and thought for a while.

After the timeout, Wang Yan stood up and gathered his teammates together and whispered a few words.

The teammates nodded.

The game continues.

Cavaliers attack.

Irving dribbled the ball slowly at the top of the arc. Wang Yan suddenly moved to the high position and blocked Ty Lawson. Irving took the opportunity to rush into the penalty area.

Just when the Nuggets players thought Irving was going to make a layup, Irving suddenly passed the ball back to Wang Yan.

Wang Yan held the ball at the top of the arc, with the short Ty Lawson in front of him.

Irving and TT suddenly made a screen substitution.

At this point, the restricted area became a bit chaotic.

Wang Yan was quick-eyed and quick-handed. He shook his little hand and whoosh!
The basketball shot into the basket accurately like a cannonball.

TT received the ball very comfortably.

Because of the mutual screening between him and Irving just now, the defensive player was a little confused.

So TT can easily catch the ball and make a layup in one go!
Wang Yan’s assist +1!

The Nuggets players are a little discouraged. The Cavaliers have too many tactics...

In the next few rounds, the Cavaliers made full use of their rich tactics.

Wang Yan seemed to have eyes all over his body. He always passed the ball to his teammates inadvertently, allowing them to score comfortably.

After three quarters, Wang Yan had 15 assists.

As long as he gets 5 assists in the fourth quarter, Wang Yan can complete the task.

In fact, Wang Yan got 21 assists in the last game, so today he only needs to get 19 assists to reach an average of 20.

But Wang Yan has an obsessive-compulsive disorder and he has to get 20 of them, otherwise he will feel uncomfortable!

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Wang Yan rested for 3 minutes and then returned to the court.

He continued to use the tactics of interspersed running with the substitute lineup.

The Nuggets players have really good physical strength and they are still chasing desperately.

Unfortunately, the Cavaliers' substitute players' physical strength declined, resulting in poor touch.

Wang Yan's several passes did not turn into assists.

Of course, although Wang Yan has to complete the task of 20 assists, the first thing he needs is the team’s victory.

He certainly won't sacrifice the team's record for his own success.

Seeing the score gap gradually narrowing, Wang Yan had no choice but to attack on his own.

After several goals, the score gap was widened again, but Wang Yan's number of assists remained at 15.

With just over 6 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Cavaliers replaced their main lineup.

The main players had a good touch, Irving and Jamison contributed two goals respectively, and Wang Yan's assists reached 17.

Just when Wang Yan was close to completing the task step by step, the Nuggets suddenly changed their tactics!
Every time Wang Yan passed the ball, the Nuggets would commit a foul.

They would rather send other players to the free throw line than let Wang Yan get more assists!
This is really harmful to others and not beneficial to yourself!

Nuggets head coach Karl had also thought it through. It was already the second half of the fourth quarter and they couldn't win the game.

Foul counts aren't that important either.

Don't you want to assist? Then I will foul you in advance and not give you the chance to assist!

Wang Yan was indeed a little dumbfounded. He really didn't expect the Nuggets to play so cruelly.

With 2 minutes and 16 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Cavaliers were already leading by 14 points, and Wang Yan's assists remained at 17, with no change.

It seemed that Wang Yan’s 20 assist tasks would not be completed.

Wang Yan's face turned ugly.

Scott saw it and quickly called another timeout.

He knew that Wang Yan would need some time to solve this problem.

Wang Yan sat down, thought for a moment, and kept shaking his head.

The Nuggets' style of play is truly unsolvable.

It is better to let you shoot free throws than to let you complete assists. This is also an open conspiracy.

Can't crack it.

However, Wang Yan finally made up his mind and decided to take a gamble.

He called Irving and Middleton to his side and said almost in an imperative tone: "You will receive my pass and shoot three-pointers in a moment. Don't hesitate, be decisive!"

(End of this chapter)