In the home team's locker room, George Karl asked Rodman to strengthen his defense against Dameng.
Dameng's half-time performance was too horrible. If he was asked to leave like this, he was worried that the team would eventually be unable to withstand the strong pressure.
However, Zhou Quan didn't think that would happen. Dameng was very tough, but in terms of mental quality, he was at full level and would never lose to Dameng.
But he supports George Karl's attitude, because Rodman's help defense against Dameng is indeed very crucial. Without his help, Dameng will perform even more terrifyingly. Once that happens, it's really hard to say who will lose and who will win in the end. .
On the other side, in the visiting team's locker room, Dameng drank a bottle of energy drink to replenish his physical fitness.
He felt that he could still kill an American panther, and he was very energetic and physically fit. He would continue to attack hard in the second half and use a 40+50+ performance to win this away game.
Head coach Tomjanovich is not as optimistic as Da Meng, and he is a little worried.
Although Dameng has a strong advantage in the low post, Parks can't guard him at all, and even Rodman can't, but on the outside, whether it's Kenny Smith, Maxwell, or Cassell, even with the addition of Dameng couldn't guard against Iron Fist, nor could he guard against Iron Fist's pass.
He has no good way to deal with Tie Fist. In his opinion, Tie Fist's offense + passing are unsolvable. The SuperSonics have Perkins, Kendall Gill, and Schrempf outside. If Zhou Quan is flanked, his passing will be impossible. It will kill Mosaic.
Fortunately, Parks couldn't withstand Dameng's offense at all. Dameng's offense was not very troublesome, but on the defensive end against Rodman, he didn't attack and consumed less physical energy. Dameng's physical condition today is maintained Not bad, the state in the second half should be maintained, and the team can still play to its own advantages.
Not long after, the third quarter began.
After this quarter, Zhang Lili said excitedly: "Zhou Quan on the defensive end has strengthened his defense of the low post, and Rodman has increased the intensity of his defense against Dameng. The SuperSonics' defense is finally on Dameng." It had an impact, allowing Dameng to make only 3 of 8 shots in a single quarter, 1 of 2 free throws, and 7 points in a single quarter, but made two turnovers."
Sun Zhenping said equally excitedly: "On the offensive end, Zhou Quan continued to break through with the ball and was blocked once by Dameng. He made 3 of 6 shots and 4 of 4 free throws in a single quarter. While scoring 10 points in a single quarter, he also sent out 4 assists.
He used points and assists to help the team establish a double-digit score advantage again in the third quarter. The current score is 73:84, Mosaic is 11 points behind. "
Zhang Lijia smiled and said: "Now Dameng has 31 points in three quarters and Zhou Quan has 34 points in three quarters. Both of them are very versatile, but based on today's performance, there is no doubt that Zhou Quan's performance is more versatile and more critical." , can better determine the outcome of the game.”
Sun Zhenping smiled and said: "The most important thing is that Mosaic cannot destroy Supersonic's organizational function, and its own organizational function has been destroyed by Zhou Quan, so it can only rely on fighting alone.
After three quarters, the Sonics had 23 assists, Zhou Quan alone had 12 assists, and Mosaic only had 13 assists. "
Sun Zhenping smiled and said: "If Dameng hadn't been so fierce, Mosaic would have been unable to bear it."
At the beginning of the final quarter, the Mosaic team began a desperate counterattack, because if they did not counterattack, the game would be lost.
On the first goal, Dameng beat Michael Cage. Zhou Quan rushed down and joined Rodman in a three-man team attack, forcing Dameng to choose to split the ball.
Under the blockade of six hands, there was no passing angle at all. He forced the pass to Kenny Smith through the gap in the crowd, but Zhou Quan had quick eyes and quick hands, struck accurately, and hit the ball into the sky with a wave of his hand.
Rodman was in a better position and moved in time to get the ball.
Zhou Quan received the ball, stabilized his rhythm, reached the top of the arc, made tactical gestures, then leaned down and dribbled the ball under his hips, preparing to break through with the ball.
He only made a three-pointer today, and the rest were breakthroughs with the ball. Coupled with the effort on the defensive end, it was even greater than Dameng's physical exertion.
Kenny Smith also leaned down and was ready to retreat.
Defense is impossible. Every time he encounters Iron Fist, he will be abused, and he was beaten today. The purpose of his defense is to delay Zhou Quan's breakthrough speed as much as possible to buy time for the big dream inside.
"What?"
But in the next moment, when the ball was pulled up from the front, Zhou Quan suddenly joined the ball, then rose up from the ground and shot a three-pointer at such a fast pace that he could not react.
Seeing Zhou Quan's three-pointer, the SuperSonics fans at the scene immediately widened their eyes and opened their mouths.
"brush!"
The next moment, the basketball fell through the rim, and then there was a splash of water.
"ah!"
The home crowd of 13,000 cheered instantly.
"Beautiful! Zhou Quan suddenly hit a three-pointer, and the Jets didn't react. He must have thought Zhou Quan would continue to break through." Sun Zhenping said excitedly.
Zhang Lili smiled and said: "This is a surprise. I guess Zhou Quan is tired, so he will take some outside jump shots next. It depends on his touch."
Sun Zhenping nodded and said: "The breakthrough can be given to Kendall Gill, and the two of them can alternate."
Zhang Lianda said: "Yes, it is necessary to break through with the ball. You must keep Dameng low and don't let him come up, otherwise Dameng can defend to the three-point line.
Using the ball to break through will keep Dameng low and separate the opponent's internal and external connections. Only the other SuperSonics will have enough space, and Zhou Quan's passing will be more threatening. "
Dameng received the ball again and attacked, but the Sonics still attacked him fiercely, even desperately, and the other positions of Mosaic had to rely on others to quickly rotate and cover the openings.
This is George Karl's defensive style, trapping the ball handler and filling the gap with quick coverage.
Being flanked by three people again, Dameng forced a pass, targeting Thorpe on the right side of the basket.
However, due to the influence of the flanking attack, the pass was deflected. Thorpe moved up a step and barely caught the ball, but the offensive opportunity was lost. Zhou Quan and Perkins quickly jumped in front of him and completed the flanking attack on him.
"Snapped!"
The moment he got close, with a precise strike, Zhou Quan slapped the ball and knocked it away. Then Rodman rushed over and grabbed the ball.
"Beautiful! Another steal. Iron Fist's hands are really accurate and his movements are super fast!" Elgin Baylor praised.
"If this continues, Mosaic will never come back." Big O shook his head.
Kendall Gill came down quickly, received Rodman's pass, went to the basket and used a fake move to dodge the chasing Kenny Smith, and then got up for a second layup and hit a goal.
"It's 16 points. With the current state of the SuperSonics, Mosaic is no longer good and there is no chance for a comeback." Zhang Li said with a smile.
"Dameng scored 3 big blocks, but Zhou Quan has already made 6 steals. The defense is really strong." Sun Zhenping said with a smile.
Zhang Lili said: "Dameng's three blocks today are already very good, because the SuperSonics interior line has no low-post offense at all, and he has no chance to block shots. He blocked Rodman once, blocked Zhou Quan once, and Kendall once. Gil, blocked two outside shots, and his defensive status is actually quite good."
"It's a pity that I ran into Zhou Quan." Sun Zhenping said with a smile.
At the end of the game, Mosaic failed to come back. The SuperSonics used powerful and fierce attacks to double-team Da Meng and continuously destroyed Mosaic's offense. Halfway through the first quarter, Mosaic led by 20 points and Mosaic gave up the game.
In the end, 91:115, the SuperSonics won by 24 points at home.
"Da Meng made 15 of 31 shots in 39 minutes, a shooting percentage of 48.4%, and 6 of 9 free throws. The total game was 36 points, 14 rebounds, 1 steal, 3 blocks, 6 turnovers and 4 fouls." Sun Zhenping read.
"Zhou Quan made 14 of 25 shots in 40 minutes, a shooting percentage of 56%, 2 of 3 three-pointers, and 14 of 15 free throws. He also scored 44 points, 5 rebounds, 15 assists, 6 steals, 2 blocks, 3 turnovers and 3 fouls." Zhang He Idea Road.
Sun Zhenping concluded: "Although Dameng performed well, he was attacked the most fiercely in the final quarter and failed to seize the opportunity for a final comeback. Overall, he did not play a super explosive state."
Zhang Lili continued: "Whether it is in terms of shooting percentage or all-round performance, Zhou Quan is stronger, so the Sonics deserve to win."
Sun Zhenping said: "But Coach Zhang, Mosaic's rebounding is better than that of SuperSonics, with 4 more rebounds."
Zhang Liyi nodded immediately and said with a serious face: "Although Rodman is the rebounding leader, in the playoffs, his rebounds are generally less than in the regular season. In the regular season this season, he has 17 rebounds. Tonight Grabbing 13 is actually very good. He faced the best inside combination in the league.
Therefore, the Sonics must be careful about rebounding. Dameng generally rebounds more in the playoffs than in the regular season. With Thorpe, rebounding will suffer. "
At the scene, Dameng was unwilling to give in, but he could only swallow the bitter fruit of failure and leave sadly.
Fortunately, he is already prepared to lose on the road, and the last series with the Suns gave him a lot of confidence. He is sure to come back at home, so he is still confident and his will is still very firm.
In Chicago, Jordan looked at Quan's data on the TV screen without blinking.
This data put him under a lot of pressure.
Such a performance can only be achieved if he breaks out with all his strength, and the data will not be so beautiful. His assists are far inferior to Zhou Quan, and his stealing ability is also inferior.
So did Iron Fist explode at full strength just now?
He believes that it must be an all-out explosion. It can be seen from the number of breakthroughs of Tie Fist that it is precisely the breakthroughs with the ball that do not hesitate to use physical strength to control Dameng firmly under the basket, allowing others to get open, and then hit the ball. With 44 points, he also sent out 15 assists.
…
Zhou Quan's performance in the G1 game of the Western Conference Finals was praised by the media the next day.
But Dameng's performance has also been recognized by the media. Many media believe that Mosaic has a chance to perform the miracle of the last series.
"Hakeem, you robbed me of the Western Conference Finals, so you must kill Iron Fist and don't let me down." Barkley said after finding Dream in the hotel.
"Don't worry, I've lost two consecutive games at home and I can beat you. What are you worried about? Watch my performance next. I will definitely put on a great comeback and make Iron Fist return to China crying." Dameng assured, patting his chest.
Barkley's eyes were twitching. If you make a comeback, come back. Why are you bringing up that series again? He wanted to kill the idiot in front of him.
"By the way, Charles, you left the game in the first quarter, why?" Dameng asked.
Barkley said angrily: "The damn SuperSonics management gave me a second-row ticket, and it's still behind the SuperSonics bench. How can you let me sit down?"
"Don't worry, when we return to the home court, you will sit behind our bench. I guarantee you will be in the front row." Dameng said.
"It's agreed," Buckley said.
Dameng nodded and said: "But at least you need to pay 5,000 US dollars for one ticket, and 10,000 US dollars for two games. Our boss is very stingy and will not give it to you for free. The best seat is very valuable."
"Go to hell!"
Buckley finally couldn't bear it anymore and punched Dameng in the face.
"Asshole, why are you beating me? Do you want me to give you money? This is impossible, you are richer than me." Dameng was stunned.
"Hakeem, you're doing so poorly in Houston," Barkley mocked.
"Then your beating won't be in vain."
Dameng said and rushed forward, and the two immediately fought.
In the end, it was Buckley who was more capable in fighting. He pinned Dameng under him, and after riding on him, he said triumphantly: "Hakim, call me daddy, and I will let you go."
"You want to be my father? You'd better die!"
Dameng was enraged and knocked Barkley over, and the two struggled again.
…
That night, the G2 game of the Eastern Conference Finals began.
The Bulls won their second consecutive home game. Jordan scored 35 points, Pippen scored 24 points, and the two combined to contribute 59 points.
Ewing performed poorly, scoring only 21 points and shooting only 33.3%.
On the 26th, the G2 game of the Western Conference Finals begins.
Zhou Quan's breakthrough frenzy reappeared. In 37 minutes, he got 18 free throw opportunities, all of which were successful. He scored 35 points in a single game and sent out 13 assists.
Although Dameng tried his best to resist, under the impact of Zhou Quan, he committed too many fouls and received four fouls in the first half. In the end, he played only 31 minutes one after another, surrendering 24 points, 8 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 blocks and 4 turnovers. 6 foul data.
Just like the Eastern Conference Finals, Mosaic lost two consecutive away games and SuperSonics won two consecutive games at home.
After the game, Dameng angrily criticized the home whistle and said: "I can hardly touch him. As soon as I touch him, the whistle will sound immediately. What does this mean?"
"Iron Fist, Dameng thinks the home whistle is too obvious, what do you think?" a reporter asked at the post-match press conference.
Zhou Quan smiled and said: "I was knocked to the ground by him three times in the first half. He tried to scare me with the roughest defense and prevent me from breaking through with the ball, but I'm sorry, this kind of intimidation has no threat, even if he If I have a bayonet in my hand, I will rush forward."
"Tekken and Mosaic lost consecutive games at home in the second round of the series, but they successfully came back. Do you think they can still create miracles?" the next reporter asked.
Zhou Quan said as if telling the truth: "If a miracle happens again and again, it is no longer a miracle. If you always hope for a miracle, unless he is the lover of the goddess of luck, you will definitely suffer a disastrous failure."
And I am very sure that Dameng is definitely not Lady Luck’s lover, otherwise he would have won the championship long ago, and he would not have even touched the floor of the finals until today. "
"Ha ha……"
There was a lot of laughter among the reporters.
"Tekken, you made too many breakthroughs in the first two games. Will this affect your physical fitness?" a third reporter asked.
"There is no problem with my physical fitness." Zhou Quan replied.
The next G3 games of the Eastern and Western Finals are on the 27th and 28th respectively. The schedule is very tight.
On the 27th, the SuperSonics came to Houston. In the evening, the G3 game of the Eastern Conference Finals began.
As a result, the Knicks played at home and played an iron-like defense. Jordan's touch was not good, and he only made 10 of 24 shots, with a shooting percentage of 41.7%. The Bulls lost the away game and tied with the Knicks 2-1.
On the 28th, the game day of G3 of the Western Conference Finals.
In this game, Mosaic finally won with home field advantage.
The team had 35 free throw opportunities. At the same time, Dameng played a dream-like all-around performance, making 10 of 16 shots and 15 of 18 free throws. He scored 35 points, 18 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 7 blocks, 3 turnovers and 3 fouls. The shooting percentage was As high as 62.5%, one person destroyed the entire Sonics inside line.
Zhou Quan scored 27 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists, 5 steals, 2 blocks, 3 turnovers and 5 fouls, with a shooting percentage of 46%. His performance was not bad, but it was not an explosive performance. He could only lose against the big dream who was in an explosive state. share.
In particular, Rodman only played 28 minutes due to injury and only grabbed 5 rebounds.
In the first two games, the Sonics lost to the Mosaics by an average of 3.5 rebounds per game. Without Rodman's rebounds, the Sonics' number of shots dropped sharply.
Mosaic won its first home game and immediately received great praise from the media.
"Dameng and his team have shown strong resilience. He leads the team with a single core and carries the team forward with his own strength. We hope to see such a team win the final victory, their victory Will inspire everyone." New York Times.
"In the foreseeable future, we will once again see Mosaic and its leader Hakeem Olajuwon achieve a major comeback." Washington Post.
On the 29th, the G4 game of the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Bulls won on the road, 3-1, and secured a point in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Jordan scored 44 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals in the first game, defeating the iron-blooded Knicks.
In the third quarter, New York fans began to boo. Jordan received cheers for every goal he scored, while Ewing, who did not perform well, was sprayed by the fans.
"The God of War is back! The Flying Man is aiming for the finals. Whether it is Iron Fist or Big Dream, I believe it will be difficult to compete with him." The New York Times.
Jordan seemed to have once again become the media darling and hero of the league that swept the Bad Boys out of the league a few years ago. Suddenly, he received countless praises, and even countless international media reported on his victory, suppressing the limelight of Big Dream in one fell swoop.
Agent Philip has come to Houston and discussed the future with Zhou Quan.
He said very seriously: "Iron Fist, I'm not putting pressure on you. You must kill him this time. If you let him climb back up, it will be very detrimental to you.
Look at the Assassin. After he was swept by him in the Eastern Conference Finals, his reputation fell to the bottom. But now, you helped the Assassin get up. Even if he retires now, his reputation is still very high. He is one of the most historical super point guards in the No. 1 position. , the historical status is not much inferior to that of the magician.
So if you let Jordan climb over your head again, then he will really be the return of the king, and his reputation will be even higher. "
…
(End of chapter)
