Chapter 95: Chapter 95: Tang Lei Leads a Comeback, Forcing the Nuggets Timeout as Warriors Close the Gap

As the second quarter kicked off, both the Warriors and Nuggets stuck with the lineups they ended the first quarter with. Each team had found a solid offensive rhythm with few turnovers. With the first-quarter jump ball having gone to Denver, the Warriors had possession to start this period.

Iguodala inbounded the ball, and Green brought it up the court. The Warriors knew how crucial this opening possession was—if they could score, they'd cut the deficit to single digits. The shift in momentum would be visually and psychologically impactful, energizing both players on the court and fans on the sidelines.

Green skillfully scanned the court, finding Thompson, who had successfully used a screen to shake off his defender. Wearing his signature mismatched Anta shoes, Thompson caught Green's pass, jumped immediately, and released a perfect arc that found the bottom of the net. The score narrowed to 35-28, with the Warriors just seven points behind.

The Nuggets quickly took control, with Beasley attempting to respond with a three-pointer, but the ball bounced off the rim. Fortunately for Denver, the rebound fell directly into Plumlee's hands. Faced with the leaner Tang Lei behind him, Plumlee opted to go for a power play. Grabbing the ball, he took a step-hop, attempting to leverage his size to power through for a slam.

But Tang Lei reacted swiftly, leaping up to contest. After an aerial battle, Plumlee lost control of the ball, and Iguodala was there to scoop it up. The Nuggets players quickly hustled back on defense, so Iguodala slowed the pace, waiting for his teammates to catch up and transition smoothly into a half-court setup.

Plumlee, still sore from being blocked, decided to send a message by subtly elbowing Tang Lei in the back in a light but provocative move. Tang Lei smirked to himself, amused by Plumlee's attempt to assert dominance. Unfazed, he positioned himself firmly, raised his arm high, and demanded the ball. Recognizing the opportunity, Iguodala lobbed it over to him.

Tang Lei caught the pass and carefully shielded the ball, preparing for a post-up move. As expected, Plumlee grew impatient, reaching in to poke the ball loose. Sensing the opening, Tang Lei pivoted quickly and jumped.

"Tweet!" The referee's whistle blew—Plumlee had committed a foul. Despite the contact and an unsteady balance, Tang Lei managed to release the shot, which bounced around the rim before finally dropping in.

"And one!"

The Warriors' bench erupted in cheers, with teammates rushing over to high-five and congratulate Tang Lei. Plumlee looked frustrated and embarrassed—he had only meant to poke at the ball, but the savvy Tang Lei had turned it into an easy foul call. Tang Lei then confidently knocked down the free throw, bringing the score to 35-31, with the Warriors only down by four.

Denver responded with a quick offensive push, with Beasley attempting to drive but falling victim to Iguodala's veteran defense, which ended in a clean steal. Cook seized the opportunity for a fast break, making an easy layup to bring the Warriors even closer at 35-33—just two points behind!

Realizing the shift in momentum, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone called a timeout to regroup. He quickly reinserted Jokic and Murray, his core players, in a bid to restore stability and control.

Simultaneously, Warriors coach Steve Kerr made adjustments of his own, substituting Tang Lei, Thompson, and Green with Curry, Durant, and Looney to match the Nuggets' new lineup. Despite feeling sidelined, Cousins stayed put on the bench, visibly frustrated. He understood, however, that in a championship-caliber team, his contributions had to be measured and calculated. Though he was displeased, he knew he had to remain patient for his time.

As the timeout ended, the Denver crowd erupted with deafening cheers, rallying to reignite their team's morale. With both teams' star players back on the court, the intensity was about to escalate even further.

The stage was set for an electrifying continuation of the clash, and with both teams locked in, each possession would now carry monumental weight.

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