Chapter 96: Foul Trouble! Nuggets’ Secret Weapon Emerges, Warriors in a Bind

As the second quarter began, both the Warriors and Nuggets deployed dual-core lineups with three bench players, creating an evenly matched battle among starters. Yet in the battle of the benches, the Nuggets clearly had an edge, thanks to the standout performance of Torrey Craig.

Earning a $70,000 on a two-way contract, Craig played as if his career depended on it. He dove for loose balls, hustled for saves, and chased down players on fast breaks, showing just how valuable a "secret weapon" he could be. Craig also shone offensively, shooting 5-for-6, including 4-for-5 from beyond the arc, racking up 14 points. His offensive surge helped extend Denver's lead back into double digits just when the Warriors had started to close the gap.

By halftime, the score was 61-51, with Denver holding a ten-point lead.

Penguin Live Stream Chat:

As the halftime buzzer sounded, fans flocked to the chat, analyzing the Warriors' performance and debating their chances.

"Nuggets look fierce, and the Warriors can't even close the gap!"

"Warriors look out of sync today; their offensive flow just isn't there."

"Don't count them out yet—Nuggets are just riding high for now. The Warriors still have a shot! And hey, our 'Winning Charm' Tang Lei's still in the game!"

"Look, I know I'm greedy, but if we can claw back against the Nuggets here, we really have a shot at breaking the record!"

"Come on, Tang Lei and Warriors! I want to witness a new record being made!"

Start of the Second Half:

After a brief rest, the Warriors returned to the court with a new strategy, bringing Cousins back to the lineup and starting with their entire first team. On Denver's side, Torrey Craig stayed in, replacing Gary Harris, clearly entrusted by the coach to continue his role as a surprise offensive threat.

Denver began the third quarter with even more aggressive offense, led by Jokic on the inside and Craig sinking shots from outside. The Nuggets' relentless assault caught the Warriors off guard, as the team known for third-quarter dominance—the "Warrior Third-Quarter Surge"—instead found itself overwhelmed by Denver's "Nugget Surge."

Denver's relentless run extended the lead to 20 points, with Jokic and Craig combining to create a devastating two-pronged offensive force that Warriors struggled to counter. Cousins, tasked with defending Jokic, found himself outmatched in the paint. Unable to hold his ground, Coach Kerr opted to replace him with Tang Lei, shifting Tang Lei to center to try to inject some agility and disrupt Denver's rhythm.

Despite Tang Lei's leaner build compared to Jokic, his height and wingspan allowed him to offer some resistance in the paint with his agility and leap.

With possession back in Warriors' hands, Curry nailed a three-pointer to break their scoring drought and narrow the deficit to 79-62. But Denver's firepower remained undeterred as Jokic continued to dominate the inside, drawing a foul on Tang Lei and sinking both free throws, extending the lead further.

Momentum Stalls as Foul Trouble Mounts for Tang Lei

Tang Lei tried to slow down Jokic's advances with his agility and timing, but the experienced Jokic kept baiting him into fouls. Within a minute, Tang Lei racked up two quick fouls, bringing his total to four. Frustrated with the calls, Tang Lei lost his cool, vocally challenging the referee's judgment.

Curry quickly stepped in, putting his arm around Tang Lei to calm him, hoping to defuse the situation. However, the referee wasn't swayed and assessed Tang Lei a technical foul.

Tang Lei's outburst raised concerns for Coach Kerr. To protect him from risking further fouls, Kerr reluctantly pulled Tang Lei from the game, substituting him with Looney in the center position. Tang Lei walked to the bench fuming, his frustration evident as he sat down, feeling the calls had unfairly favored Denver, fueling his indignation.

Kerr patted Tang Lei's shoulder and spoke in a low, calming tone: "Keep it cool, Tang. We still have a chance. Don't get tangled up with the refs."

Tang Lei nodded but was visibly frustrated. He understood that accumulating four fouls this early meant he would be benched for crucial stretches, especially when his team needed him most.

Meanwhile, Denver's bench was buzzing with excitement, while their home crowd roared with cheers, sensing victory within reach. For the Warriors, losing Tang Lei's interior presence only ramped up their defensive strain as the game's intensity heightened. The stakes were rising, and the Warriors found themselves pressed into a corner.

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