After the first round, major media promptly adjusted their winning prediction data.
Bulls 28%, SuperSonics 22%, Magic 15%, Knicks 13%, Mosaic 7%, Pacers 6%, Spurs 5%, Jazz 4%.
After the first round, Mosaic's evaluation has been improved, but almost all media are still most optimistic about the Bulls and SuperSonics.
The most unlucky thing is the Suns, which are getting worse year by year. They were listed as the first team by some media at the beginning of the season, but now they are eliminated in the first round.
In particular, Barkley was criticized by the media. This was his third season with the Suns. He reached the Finals in his first season and reached the second round last season. However, this season he was eliminated in the first round and led the Suns to the Finals. The team's record is getting worse and worse, and there are already voices in the Phoenix media about trading him.
On May 7, 1995, the second round of the two groups started.
The Spurs, fourth in the Western Conference in the regular season, seemed unable to compete with the SuperSonics' powerful offense and defense. They were defeated in the first game, 86:105, losing by 19 points.
This is the reason why Zhou Quan only played 34 minutes, otherwise the score gap would be even greater.
In another game, the Magic and the Knicks were inseparable. With the old and new super centers competing against each other, the Magic, who played at home, had the last laugh and won the G1 game.
On the 8th, the other two groups will compete.
As a result, the Bulls defeated the Pacers at home and the Jazz defeated Mosaic at home.
On the 9th, the SuperSonics defeated the Spurs for the second time, while the Magic failed at home and tied with the Knicks one to one.
On the 10th, the Bulls won their second consecutive home game.
Jazz and Mosaic were the games that Zhou Quan paid close attention to. As a result, he saw a crazy offensive battle. The score was a staggering 140:126. Mosaic played away from home and had the last laugh.
Mosaic won in the third quarter, scoring 39:21 in a single quarter and winning by 18 points in one quarter.
Jet Kenny Smith and Glider Drexler both shot more than 70% from the field. They were in the Jazz's penalty area as if there was no one in the area. They both scored 30+ points. Dream had 27 points and Horry had 21 points.
He shot 19 of 28 three-pointers like crazy, with a frightening shooting percentage of 67.9%, which was 7.9 percentage points higher than Mosaic's shooting percentage, showing a terrifying offensive efficiency.
The Jazz's performance was actually not bad, shooting 51.9% from the field, 9 of 16 three-pointers, and a shooting percentage of 56.3%. Six people on the team scored in double figures, two of whom scored 20+.
"The performance of these two teams tonight will make everyone kneel down when they meet." After watching this game, Zhou Quan broke out in a cold sweat.
Especially Mosaic, Big Dream, Jet, and Glider. This troika is too scary. Tonight, all three of them were in a state where they needed to be double-teamed by their opponents. The Jazz also lost unjustly. Three opponents needed to be double-teamed, but There are only five of them in total, how can we defend against them?
"When did this jet become so powerful?"
He couldn't understand that since his rookie season, Kenny Smith had been very honest in front of him. He had never been in such a state. It was also the same in last year's Western Conference Finals. He was so locked up that he couldn't make a splash.
He said to Kendall Gill who was sitting next to him: "Kendall, if we encounter Mosaic again in the Western Conference Finals, you must be at the highest intensity to defend the glider and reduce his shooting percentage."
"clear."
Kendall Gill wiped a sweat.
George Karl analyzed calmly: "Iron Fist, if you lock up Kenny Smith and destroy their organizational functions, we still have a chance of winning."
Zhou Quan nodded and said: "Kenny Smith had 9 assists tonight, broke through all the way, and beat John Stockton.
But the Glider also got 7 assists. Even if I locked up Kenny Smith, I couldn't completely destroy their organizational function, so Kendall's defense is still very critical. "
George Karl nodded and said to Jill: "Kendall, you have a very important task on both offense and defense. You need to study more about the glider's methods."
"Yes, coach."
Kendall Gill wiped his sweat again.
Zhou Quan smiled and said: "Don't worry, if we can't guard him, we will switch defenses and you guard Kenny Smith."
"That's okay. We'll see their status then and decide whether to switch defenses." George Karl said immediately.
Kendall Gill breathed a sigh of relief. The gliders are much better than the jets. Although the jets performed well tonight, it is impossible for them to be in such a state for the entire series.
On the 11th, the second round continues.
The SuperSonics lost on the road, and the Spurs had the home court advantage, with the score tied at 2-1.
At the same time, the Magic won on the road and scored 2-1.
On the 12th, the Bulls also lost on the road, beating the Pacers 2-1.
On the same night, back at home, Mosaic lost.
Zhou Quan and others still gathered together to watch the game, and they were also watching this game.
The score of this game was 95:82, which returned to normal, which also made them breathe a sigh of relief.
Dameng scored 30 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 blocks. Kenny Smith performed well, with 20 points and 5 assists, but the Glider only scored 17 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists, and had 4 turnovers.
Zhou Quan has paid attention to Glider's performance in the playoffs in the past few seasons and found that Glider's performance in the playoffs is not stable and cannot play key performances. He cannot play a core-level decisive game like Dameng. Performance, which also made him relieved.
On the 13th, the SuperSonics defeated the Spurs and got the second round match point.
On the same night, the Magic lost on the road and tied with the Knicks 2-2.
On the 14th, the Bulls also got the match point.
Mosaic won at home and tied with the Jazz 2-2.
On the 15th, the SuperSonics advanced to the Western Conference Finals 4-1.
On the same night, the Magic returned to their home court and showed off their power. O'Neal scored 41 points, 17 rebounds, and 6 blocks on Ewing, blasting the Knicks with a big score of 3-2 and winning the match point.
On the 16th, the Bulls, who returned home, unexpectedly lost, with a big score of 3 to 2, and still held the match point.
Mosaic lost in the away game and tied with the Jazz 2-3, and the Jazz got the match point.
In this way, the Sonics advanced first, had a physical advantage, and watched the other teams continue to fight to the death.
On the 17th, the Knicks returned to their home court and defeated the Magic. The two sides tied at three to three, and a tiebreaker was set to begin. The Magic had home court advantage.
On the 18th, the Bulls defeated the Pacers on the road and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals with a big score of 4-2.
On the same night, Mosaic returned to their home court and defeated the Jazz. The two sides tied 3 to 3 and will play a tiebreaker at the Jazz's home court.
On the 19th, the ambitious Knicks had a tiebreaker with the Magic away from home, but ultimately lost and lost the second round series.
Iron-blooded coach Pat Riley is very disappointed. He reached the Eastern Conference Finals last season, but failed in the second round this season.
However, he will not choose to leave New York, and he hopes to get more power from the management so that he can control the team.
On the 20th, the Jazz played a tiebreaker with Mosaic at home.
In the end, Mosaic had the last laugh in the away game, 105:104, only winning by one point, but it was enough to eliminate the Jazz.
Dameng and Glider both scored 29 points, Kenny Smith scored 10 points, and Sam Cassell was the first scorer in this game. He came on as a substitute and made 6 of 10 shots in 22 minutes, scoring 19 points and 7 assists.
In this way, the lists for the Eastern Conference Finals and Western Conference Finals are out.
Eastern Conference Finals, Bulls vs. Magic.
Western Conference Finals, SuperSonics vs. Mosaic.
The Western Conference Finals will be played first, the G1 game will be on the 22nd, and the Eastern Conference Finals will be on the 23rd.
After the second round, the main focus of the media and some professionals is on the upcoming MVP voting, analyzing the situation of the East-West showdown, and adjusting the predictions for winning the championship.
Magic Johnson said in an interview with the media: "The Magic and Mosaic each have a super center. They are traditional center-centered teams, while the SuperSonics and Bulls are just the opposite. They each have a historical guard. They are a defender-focused team.
So this time the Eastern Conference Finals and the Western Conference Finals are actually a competition between guards and centers, a competition between two super guards and super centers.
Based on past records, the four super centers have never proven in the playoffs that they have the ability to defeat two super guards, so I am more optimistic about the Bulls and SuperSonics advancing to the finals. "
"The era of super guards? Or the era of super centers? There is no doubt that from the magician to the smiling assassin, from the flying man to the iron fist, this is an era of super guards competing." New York Times.
"The four super centers are challenging the era of super guards." Los Angeles Daily News.
ESPN gave its own data. The Bulls have a 65% chance of reaching the finals, the Magic 35%, the SuperSonics a 51% chance of reaching the finals, and the Mosaic 49%.
The predictions for winning the championship are similar, with the Bulls as high as 35%, the SuperSonics 25%, the Mosaics 23%, and the Magic 17%.
Zhou Quan agrees more with ESPN's prediction data this time. In this Western Conference Finals, he must fight with all his strength to have a chance to make it through.
In particular, defense must be done well, which is the basis for winning.
The media is not very optimistic about Mosaic. The reason is that Mosaic and the Jazz reached the tiebreaker. First, they consumed their physical energy. Second, they did not have a clear advantage over the Jazz.
But Zhou Quan once again saw Mosaic's resilience and his spirit of never giving up even in desperate situations. This was very terrifying.
Moreover, Mosaic's lineup is really good, with two superstars, one inside and one outside, and the thickness of the lineup is also good.
In addition to Big Dream and Glider, Robert Horry also performed well after entering the playoffs.
He collected the performance of Mosaic's important rotation lineup in the first two rounds of the series. Horry averaged 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.4 assists, 0.8 blocks and 1 turnover in the first round, shooting 44.2% from the field and averaging 2.8 free throws per game.
In the second round, he scored 10.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.4 blocks, and 0.9 turnovers, with a shooting percentage of 49% and an average of 2.7 free throws per game.
In addition, Horry's three-point shooting is also good. In the first round, he was okay, 1 of 3.4 shots, and his shooting percentage was only 29.4%. However, in the second round, he averaged 3.4 and 1.6 shots per game, and his shooting percentage increased to 45.8%.
There is also Jets Kenny Smith, who averaged 11 points per game in the first round and 17 points in the second round.
In addition, Sam Cassel on the bench should also be careful. He had little chance in the first round. After his playing time increased in the second round, he averaged 14.6 points, 5 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He was Mosaic's third scoring point in the second round, as well as assists in the second round. Wang and steals leader, outperforming Kenny Smith.
Fortunately, his defense has truly reached the top level now. After several seasons of hard work, his individual defense has reached level 97, his assist defense has reached level 95, and his overall defense has reached level 95. I believe he can lock down Kenny Smith and him. Replacement for Sam Cassel.
Locking up these two people will destroy at least half of Mosaic's organizational functions. This is the Sonics' opportunity.
Even if Dameng and Glider can cooperate inside and outside, the SuperSonics' defensive system can still deal with them.
Also, Maxwell has been reimbursed, and an important rotation power forward has also been reimbursed. Otherwise, Mosaic's substitute lineup will be stronger and more difficult to deal with.
…
The home and away schedule for the Western Conference Finals and Eastern Conference Finals is 22111, and the SuperSonics have the home court advantage.
At two o'clock in the afternoon on May 21, Mosaic arrived in Seattle and held a press conference at the hotel.
"Dameng, do you have the confidence to beat the Sonics in the Western Conference Finals?" a reporter from the New York Times asked.
"We have experienced a lot of injuries this season, and our regular season has been greatly affected, but for us, this is exactly a kind of grinding, and I believe we are fully prepared to defeat any ball. Team preparation.”
Olajuwon said in an extremely firm tone and expression.
"Big Dream, last year's Western Conference Finals was defeated by the Sonics. Will Mosaic replicate last year's fate?" a reporter from the Seattle Daily asked.
Olaju said with fire in his eyes: "Absolutely impossible."
After saying this, he gritted his teeth and said: "This year is our battle of revenge. We will definitely kill the Seattle SuperSonics and Iron Fist."
At 5 p.m., the Sonics also accepted media interviews after completing team training.
"Iron Fist and Mosaic have two superstars and an absolute advantage in the paint. Are the SuperSonics confident in defeating them?" a reporter from the New York Times asked.
"We have experience in how to defeat Mosaic in the Western Conference Finals," Zhou Quan said.
"But just now Dameng also said that Mosaic has absolute confidence in defeating the Sonics." The reporter said.
"No, they have no experience in defeating us in the Western Conference Finals. He is just bragging." Zhou Quan shook his head.
"Pfft!"
Some reporters and Zhou Quan's teammates laughed.
…
That night, Zhou Quan went to bed at eleven o'clock.
As an NBA player, your sleeping time is not fixed. On days when there are games, you usually don’t go to bed until early in the morning. It is difficult to form a biological clock, and sometimes the quality of your sleep is not good.
If you don't sleep well, you will be in poor spirits and have difficulty concentrating. Therefore, players' status sometimes fluctuates greatly. This is normal.
Fortunately, he doesn't have much nightlife. He tries his best to get enough sleep and avoid those things. He rarely drinks alcohol and the quality of his sleep is okay, so his condition has always been stable.
However, after his grandfather passed away, he often practiced the Sleeping Pill Technique as a memory, and it gradually became a habit. For more than half a year, he didn't feel much at all, and it was almost as if he hadn't practiced it at all.
But in the past few days, things seem to have improved. In the past, I had many dreams and not much time for deep sleep. Nowadays, I seem to have fewer dreams, and the time for deep sleep has also increased compared with before, and the quality of sleep has improved.
This is extremely beneficial to him. The better the sleep quality, the better his energy will be. Of course, the better his state will be and his concentration will be more concentrated.
Although his neural reaction speed is level 96, it is difficult to truly display this level of reaction speed when he is not focused.
This night was a very rare night without dreams. It was already eight o'clock in the morning when I woke up. I slept for a full nine hours. When I opened my eyes, I felt very energetic.
"Today's condition should be good."
The chef at home had prepared breakfast. After eating, Zhou Quan turned on the TV and tuned to the NBC channel.
Of course he desperately wants the regular season MVP. He only has one. Jordan already has three, but his record is not as good as others. The most important factor for MVP is his record, plus his skin color and Chinese identity, so he also does Be mentally prepared.
(End of chapter)
