The timeout ends and the Bulls attack.
The ball was served from the frontcourt sideline. Jordan received the ball outside the three-point line on the right wing and hit Joe Dumas with a pull-up three-pointer. The basketball flew towards the basket. Joe Dumars had already exhausted his energy and could not do anything. Jump in time to block the shot.
"brush!"
The basketball passed through the basket and water splashed instantly.
"Oh ho!"
The United Center immediately burst into loud cheers, and the excited Bulls seemed to see hope of a comeback.
"An unreasonable three-pointer, Jordan didn't turn off the lights at the critical moment, he hit a three-pointer." Lewis Williams said.
Bill Walton: "It is now 105:99, there are 59.5 seconds left, and this offense only took 1.5 seconds. Jordan scored 50+ again."
Having said this, he couldn't help but remind: "The Pistons must not forget that in the G1 game of last year's Finals, facing the Trail Blazers, Jordan hit six three-pointers in the half, directly defeating the Trail Blazers."
On the court, the Pistons attack.
The Assassin advanced unhurriedly from the backcourt with the ball.
"Force him!"
On the right wing, Jordan couldn't help it anymore and shouted sharply with one finger to the assassin.
"here."
On the left wing, Zhou Quan retreated and shouted towards the assassin.
BJ went up to press, and the assassin passed the ball.
Zhou Quan caught the ball, turned around, passed Pippen, and went straight to the basket from the wing. Although his speed was not the fastest due to physical reasons, everyone was tired at this time, and Pippen was not as fast as him. , fell behind.
The Bulls quickly returned to defend the basket. Zhou Quan slowed down, forcing Scott Williams to save. But at this moment, he changed direction and accelerated, driving in from Williams and facing the basket. Grant is a small throw.
"Snapped!"
Grant took off to block the shot, but was not high enough and hit Zhou Quan's right forearm holding the ball.
"boom!"
The next moment, the basketball hit the basket, jumped up, and fell into the basket again.
The referee's whistle did not sound. At the critical moment, he left the game to the players themselves.
"Ouch!"
Zhou Quan shook his fist and roared.
Although he was very tired, the excitement in his body was completely over the top. It was this strong excitement and the crazy secretion of adrenaline that kept his condition from declining due to physical strength, and still maintained it at an extremely high level. superior.
"After the timeout, he made three out of three shots and scored seven points in a row. Tekken scored 42 points. He was in great shape at the critical moment. Who else is saying that he can't stand up at the critical moment? The score is now 107:99, 8 points, and time is left. 48.2 seconds down," Bill Walton said.
The Bulls wanted to play a fast break again, but this time Scott Williams, who was serving, failed to serve quickly and was blocked by Seikali.
The Pistons quickly returned to defense. BJ caught the ball in the backcourt and was immediately passed by Jordan.
Joe Dumars' physical fitness was no longer good, and Zhou Quan, who had already committed five fouls, no longer cared about fouling. He switched defense with Joe Dumars and returned to Jordan.
In the backcourt, near the right sideline, Jordan feinted with the ball, then broke through close to the sideline. When Zhou Quan followed up, he suddenly turned around and passed from the inside.
"This guy is so fast!"
Zhou Quan immediately turned around to catch up, but Jordan was getting faster and faster and was still explosive at the last moment. He actually couldn't catch up and fell behind.
Jordan reached the three-point line, stopped suddenly, put his hands together and swung the ball upwards. Zhou Quan chased the ball from behind and flew directly up.
The next moment, Jordan collected the ball again and shot a three-pointer.
"brush!"
The shot at the critical moment was extremely decisive and resolute. Jordan's willpower was greatly reflected at this moment. He once again hit a three-pointer.
"Jordan scored 54 points and hit two three-pointers in a row after the timeout." Lewis Williams said.
"Be careful, Jordan was able to hit six three-pointers in half against the Glider, and now he can also hit three-pointers in a row against you with the Iron Fist." Bill Walton reminded again.
"107:102, 5 points, 37.5 seconds." Williams added.
The Pistons had one more timeout, but Chuck Daly on the sidelines didn't call it.
"Give me."
Zhou Quan signaled Rodman, who was serving, to serve the ball to him, and then advanced with the ball himself.
Jordan came up to press twice, trying to speed up the tempo, but Zhou Quan responded calmly with his excellent skills, and it took him nearly six seconds to push the ball across the center line.
In the frontcourt, Jordan didn't dare to press at will. He was not very good at guarding against Zhou Quan's breakthrough. Now if he was hit by another one, it would be fatal.
Zhou Quan dribbled the ball outside the three-point line on the left wing. At 18 seconds, he suddenly started a breakthrough, feinted with one hand, and then turned around to pass.
But at this moment, Jordan played his most exciting defensive performance.
With accurate prediction, he kept up with Zhou Quan's breakthrough rhythm, and took advantage of the trend to poke the ball away, and the two immediately fought for it.
Zhou Quan was even shorter and once again took advantage of his precise attack. After several attempts, he finally grabbed the ball back and forced a jumper.
"boom!"
Nearly blocked, missed.
"mine!"
At the critical moment, Rodman rose up and grabbed the offensive rebound over Scott and Grant.
At the fatal moment, the broken ball was snatched back, and then the backcourt rebound was lost. At this moment, not only the fans lamented, but Jordan was so angry that he vomited blood.
"Snapped!"
Zhou Quan retreated outside the three-point line, received Rodman's pass, and then immediately transferred, holding the ball and heading to the right wing.
Jordan desperately chased after him, trying to get the ball back by fouling. BJ and Pippen immediately joined in to surround Zhou Quan.
"15 seconds, 12 seconds... caught, now there are... 11.3 seconds left." Bill Walton counted the time.
"With Iron Fist's free throw shooting percentage exceeding 90%, and with his current performance, there is a 90% chance of scoring these two free throws. That is a seven-point gap. It is really difficult for the Bulls to catch up." Williams said.
Zhou Quan walked to the free throw line, shaking his hands and moving his wrists.
He took the ball thrown by the referee, dribbled three times, exhaled, and threw the first ball according to his own free throw rhythm.
"brush!"
Hollow into the basket, the United Center erupted in cheers from Pistons fans.
The assassins and others excitedly came up to high-five Zhou Quan.
Zhou Quan took the ball thrown by the referee again, glanced at Jordan, smiled and said: "Flying Man, I heard that you like to bet. Do you want to bet that I can't make the second free throw?"
Hearing the word "gamble", Jordan's mind instantly rang with the media's targeting of him this season. The anger in his heart couldn't help but surge up, and he glared at Zhou Quan fiercely.
"brush!"
Zhou Quan took the shot calmly and hit his second free throw, widening the point difference to seven points.
"Full-court press!"
The moment the basketball passed through the basket and the Pistons fans cheered heartily, he raised his throat and shouted loudly.
The Assassins, Joe Dumars, Rodman and others responded and kept up with their respective players, while Sekali stopped Scott's quick serve in front of the baseline.
Jordan rushed across the center line and found that his teammates had not sent the ball, so he had to retreat.
BJ received the ball and advanced to the frontcourt. When 4 seconds passed, he passed it to Jordan. Jordan stormed past Joe Dumars and hit the three-point line for a three-pointer.
"boom!"
Unfortunately, he didn't score three points in a row, and the rebound was caught by Rodman.
"Whoosh!"
Rodman threw with both hands and the ball flew into Zhou Quan's hands.
"No chance." Bill Walton shook his head.
"well!"
Some players and celebrities who supported Jordan and the Bulls stood up at this time. After sighing with regret, the final whistle had not yet sounded, and they had already begun to applaud the winner.
"Really, I really didn't expect that Michael would lose. I really didn't expect it." Phoenix, Barkley kept shaking his head and sighed.
Maureen said: "Now I'm worried about you, Charles, this iron fist is not easy to deal with."
Barkley immediately said excitedly: "Don't worry, honey, he is not Michael. If we meet in the finals, I will kill him."
Thinking that he would soon be able to win the championship trophy, he immediately became excited, and the fat on his body was trembling with excitement.
"well!"
Far away in New York, Stern shook his head helplessly when he saw the Bulls being eliminated.
His plan to create a god failed and was destroyed by Zhou Quan. Should the next development plan be adjusted?
He thought about the idea of sending Zhou Quan to the Western Conference again. He vetoed the transaction between Barkley and Zhou Quan last year, and it seems that he has a chance now.
"ah!"
Seeing the time running out, Jordan roared in pain, swallowing the bitter pill of failure like a trapped animal.
"Beep!"
The referee blew a long whistle and the game was over.
"oh!"
Zhou Quan shouted with excitement, threw the ball high and rushed towards his teammates.
The assassin and others rushed to Zhou Quan with hearty cheers, and his teammates on the bench also rushed to the court. The coaches, staff, two thousand Pistons fans, and the Detroit media all cheered.
At this moment, a live camera from ABC was focused on Jordan, who was already in tears.
He quickly realized the tears, immediately pulled up his jersey to wipe his face, and then walked towards the celebrating Pistons players.
"Hey, Michael."
Joe Dubas, who was celebrating, saw Jordan walking over and hurriedly stepped forward and extended his hand.
"congratulations."
Jordan sent his congratulations, then turned around and walked to the player tunnel.
"This guy hasn't congratulated me yet. I congratulated him last year. It's really not generous enough!" Zhou Quan said with some dissatisfaction.
"Haha..." The assassin laughed.
At this moment, he felt revenge and was happier than winning the second championship.
"MJ! MJ..." Countless Bulls fans shouted Jordan's name, but he ducked into the tunnel.
"Michael, you said you were going to dominate the Pistons' destiny tonight? Now it seems that you are being dominated." A reporter from Detroit caught up and asked.
Staring at the reporter fiercely, Jordan's fists were so tight that they were bleeding, and he wanted to punch the reporter to death for adding insult to injury.
"I didn't expect the Bulls to be eliminated after only reaching the second round. Why are the Pistons so strong this year?"
"Iron Fist was strong, with 44 points, 11 assists and 11 steals. His shooting percentage was higher than Michael's, so the Pistons won."
"Will the Pistons win the championship this time?"
"If we can win the championship, it will be three championships in five years."
"The core has been changed. Three championships in five years is meaningless. Tekken winning the championship in the second season is a more meaningful topic. He is much luckier than Michael."
"The Pistons may not be able to break out of the Eastern Conference. The Knicks are really strong this season."
After Jordan left, many reporters talked a lot.
"Losed, 109:102, the Bulls lost the series. The Bulls' three consecutive championships were interrupted, and Michael Jordan's extraordinary run was also interrupted." Bill Walton shook his head and sighed.
"Three consecutive championships are too difficult! Without a three-consecutive championship dynasty, he will eventually only be in the same position as Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. He will not be able to become the only super giant. He needs to start over." Lewis Williams exclaimed.
Bill Walton picked up the statistics table and read: "Michael Jordan made 21 of 36 shots in 48 minutes, a shooting percentage of 58.3%, 3 of 5 three-pointers, a shooting percentage of 60%, and 9 of 9 free throws. 54 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 4 turnovers and 4 fouls.”
Having said this, he said with emotion: "He should shoot more three-pointers."
Williams smiled, picked up another data sheet and read: "Iron Fist also shot 16 of 26 in the same 48 minutes, with a shooting percentage of 61.5%, higher than Jordan, and 3 of 5 three-pointers, the same as Jordan. He also made 9 of 9 free throws, scoring 44 points, 4 rebounds, 11 assists, 11 steals, 1 block, 3 turnovers and 5 fouls.
It has to be said that the Pistons defeated the Bulls because of their strength. Iron Fist's statistics of 44 points, 11 assists and 11 steals were enough for the Pistons to defeat any opponent, including Jordan, who scored 54 points. "
Bill Walton shook his head with emotion and continued to read: "In the seven-game series, Jordan averaged 47.5 minutes per game. Only the G4 game was not played in full, and the remaining six games were played in full, scoring 34, 36, 43, 26, and 26 minutes respectively. 54, 28, 54 points, a total of 275 points, averaging 39.3 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2.4 steals, 0.9 blocks, 3.2 turnovers and 4 fouls per game."
Having said this, he shook his head with emotion and said: "This performance actually led to the loss of the series. I can only say that the Pistons' performance was even better."
Williams laughed and read: "Iron Fist played in 5 games, but failed to play in 2 games. He averaged 46.1 minutes per game, 27.1 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists, 4.6 steals, 0.6 blocks, 3.3 turnovers and 4.7 fouls. A truly top offense and defense. The performance of one body.
But the Pistons were able to beat the Bulls not only because of Tekken's performance advantage, but also because of the performance of others. Without them, Tekken would not have been able to beat Jordan no matter how good his performance was.
For example, in this series, Rodman averaged 13.5 rebounds and 8 points per game, Sekali averaged 10.1 rebounds and 13.5 points per game, Joe Dumars averaged 14.5 points and 3 assists per game, and the Assassins averaged 8 points and 4 assists per game. Terry Mills who averages 8.8 points, Mark Aguirre who averages 7.5 points per game, etc. "
Bill Walton nodded and said: "In today's game, the Bulls lost because of Iron Fist's high-efficiency offense and 11 steals, and lost in rebounds, which was 9 rebounds short. But the biggest factor was that they were beaten by the Pistons from the beginning. The tactics were restrained.
The Pistons adopted a tactic of locking down Pippen and others, leaving Jordan to fight alone. Coach Chuck Daly was really great, and he had the last laugh. "
On the sidelines, Zhou Quan accepted a post-match interview with ABC TV station, and was surrounded by many media reporters on several levels.
"Iron Fist, congratulations on advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals."
"Thanks!"
"You did what you said before the game. The Pistons became God at the United Center. You dominated the Bulls' destiny."
"Haha, we are honored to be the gods of this arena tonight."
"What's your biggest feeling at this time?"
"The feeling of controlling the fate of the bull and destroying the strongest opponent is really addictive. Really, I'm afraid I will become addicted." Zhou Quan smiled excitedly.
"Haha..." the ABC reporter laughed.
He asked again: "The Bulls destroyed the Pistons, which won two consecutive championships in the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals, and now you have destroyed the Bulls, which won two consecutive championships. You have no chance to complete three consecutive championships. What do you want to say most about this? What is it?"
Zhou Quan smiled and said: "A reincarnation? Maybe so."
"Do you want to say something to ESPN? They did not adjust their prediction data in time before the end of the game." The reporter asked again.
Zhou Quan laughed and said: "Too stubborn. This will only reflect their unprofessionalism. I think this will affect their ratings."
"Last question, you will face the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. Pat Riley's iron-blooded Knicks, your opponent in the first round series last year, do you want to say something to them now?" the reporter asked.
At this moment, as far away as New York, even Pat Riley drew attention, let alone players like Ewing and Oakley.
Zhou Quan smiled and said: "We are an old rival. The Knicks are stronger than last season. They have the strongest defense in the league, but I think we will find a way to beat them again.
Yes, now that we have defeated the Bulls who have won two consecutive championships, we should be full of confidence and have enough confidence to challenge any opponent, just like the Bulls defeated the Pistons who won two consecutive championships and finally climbed to the top of the honor overnight. . "
The reporter was speechless. He was so excited that he immediately asked: "Championship? I thought you couldn't say this phrase. Now please tell me, Iron Fist, will you attack the championship?"
Zhou Quan laughed, waved to Joe Dumas and others who were also being interviewed by reporters outside, and shouted: "Guys, come here."
The reporters stepped aside, and a group of people came over and stood behind Zhou Quan. Only then did Zhou Quan say to the ABC camera: "Yes, championship, now is the time. We have killed the most powerful bull. We just want to challenge for the championship. Guys, what do you think?"
"Grand champion! Grand champion..." The assassin and others roared excitedly.
"Grand champion! Grand champion..."
As far away as Detroit, countless Pistons fans are shouting.
After the on-site interview, Zhou Quan first said goodbye to the Pistons fans with his teammates, and then said goodbye to the friends he met at the scene.
"Iron Fist, congratulations." Magic Johnson celebrated.
Zhou Quan smiled and said: "Erwin, I think you will be disappointed when you see us advance, right?"
Magic Johnson smiled bitterly. He felt Zhou Quan's hostility. At this time, he was blaming the management in his heart.
"Listen to me, Iron Fist, the Lakers want you to return to Los Angeles." He explained in a low voice.
Zhou Quan smiled, nodded with the magician, and hugged Jabbar next to him.
"Congratulations, Iron Fist, you played like a superstar tonight." Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sent his congratulations.
"Thanks!"
Then he said a few words to O'Neal and other stars, said goodbye to several Hollywood stars he met because of playing golf, and then came to Christina who was waiting aside.
"Congratulations, Zhou, for defeating the strongest opponent." Christina sent a hug and a kiss.
"Krina, your congratulations are what I want most." Zhou Quan smiled.
Christina suddenly pointed to Zhou Quan's side, signaling that someone was there. When he looked back, he saw two middle-aged Chinese.
"Who are you?" he asked in English.
"Xiao Zhou, congratulations!"
The other party actually spoke Mandarin. He soon knew the identities of the two of them and was very surprised. He didn't expect that they were...
(End of chapter)
