Zhou Quan didn't get up until noon that day and slept for a full ten hours. The quality of his sleep was not good and he had many dreams, all of which were about playing ball and some erotic dreams.
After washing up, he and Zeng Li rushed to the headquarters with their luggage, preparing to go to Houston.
He has some privileges in the team. Zeng Li can take the team's chartered flight, so he doesn't have to squeeze into the passenger plane with his wife's group.
The headquarters has prepared lunch according to the players' requirements, and Zhou Quan went to the restaurant to get his six lunch boxes.
Zeng Li prepared it herself. The cook at home brought her lunch, which tasted better than the team's. The team's oil-free and salt-free dishes were only suitable for athletes, and it was difficult for ordinary people to eat them.
After flying for more than 3,000 kilometers and five hours, we arrived at the airport in the evening and settled down in a hotel in Houston at 6:30.
The team's staff has booked a small restaurant in the hotel. After dinner, they can watch the Eastern Conference Finals together in the restaurant.
Zhou Quan was too lazy to call O'Neal this time. He was not optimistic about the Magic anymore and just hoped that he would not be swept away by the Bulls.
The lineup of this team is too bad. Let alone the substitutes, the remaining three main players in the G1 game added up to 8 points. What kind of garbage performance is that?
However, after the first quarter, at 23:20, the Magic led by 3 points.
Jordan's performance was not good, his offensive efficiency just reached 40%, and Pippen and Ron Harper were even worse.
O'Neal is still unstoppable in the paint, and as long as he gets the ball under the basket, he is unstoppable.
Zhou Quan felt that if he teamed up with O'Neal, one to attract double-teams in the low post and the other to attract double-teams from the outside, at least the three-consecutive dynasty would be guaranteed. Maybe he could be like the Celtics dynasty back then, and he would be able to defeat him in a five-, six-, seven-eight. Come out consecutively.
The Magic performed better in the second quarter, scoring 30:18, and 53:38 at halftime, leading by 15 points, and the victory was within grasp.
"The Bulls only had 38 points at halftime. The Magic will definitely win tonight!" Schrempf said.
"If the Magic lose this game, they will definitely be swept." Jose Hawkins said like a magician.
Zhou Quan was very happy and felt that the Magic was safe.
But in the second half, the situation suddenly changed. The Bulls only allowed the Magic to score 16 points in the third quarter, and recovered 13 points in the first quarter, falling behind by only two points.
In the final quarter, Jordan stepped up his offense, but his condition was still not very good and his shooting percentage was not high.
But the Bulls still relied on their strong perimeter defense to limit the Magic's offense, allowing the Magic to only score 19 points and scoring 26 points themselves.
In the end, 88:93, the Bulls won their second consecutive home victory.
Jordan scored 35 points and shot only 42.9% from the field.
Pippen was even worse, scoring only 17 points and shooting only 36.8%.
O'Neal scored 36 points and shot 72.7% from the field.
Hardaway's game was far inferior to the G1 game. He was restricted by Jordan. He only scored 18 points and his shooting percentage was only 40%, which was not as good as Jordan.
After the game, the data comparison between the two sides appeared on the TV.
George Karl looked at the data and said: "The Bulls only had 7 turnovers, while the Magic had 17. The Bulls had 12 steals, while the Magic only had 4. The Bulls' defense was too strong, which was the main reason why the Magic lost."
"Defense wins."
Zhou Quan nodded, shook his head and said: "The Bulls' offense was actually very poor tonight, with only 40% shooting and 26.3% three-point shooting, which is not as good as the Magic, which shot 47.9%.
But the Bulls' defense only recovered some of their offensive disadvantages. They won this game by relying on breakthroughs with the ball and 38 free throws.
Jordan made a lot of breakthroughs and made 15 of 16 free throws. The Magic concentrated on double-teaming him, which actually lowered his shooting percentage. But the magic's own breakthrough was not good and it did not cause any damage. "
"Yes, the Magic only had 25 free throws, and Jordan and the others guarded Hardaway to death on the perimeter." Gilliam said.
After chatting for a few more minutes, everyone dispersed. Before leaving, general manager Whithit told everyone to go to bed early so as not to affect tomorrow's G3 game.
After Zhou Quan sent Zeng Li back to his room, he returned to his own room, took a bath, and then went to bed to practice the sleeping elixir technique.
It was stronger than last night, but I also had a lot of dreams and was not deep in trance. I woke up twice in the middle. When I got up at 8 o'clock in the morning, I was not as energetic as when I was fighting G1G2.
There was no training in the morning, only a tactical meeting was held. After lunch, the team rushed to the Compaq Center for training.
However, Zhou Quan asked for leave and took a nap on the massage table in the locker room for half an hour. The situation was better than last night. I fell into trance quickly. When I woke up, I felt okay, as if I had taken half a tube of chicken blood.
After completing the restorative training in the afternoon, we rested for a while and everyone took a shower. At this time, the ladies group also arrived at the arena, and everyone went to the restaurant to have dinner together.
While we were having dinner, some reporters began to wait outside. When we came out after dinner, there were already a lot of reporters.
It was almost dark after the Sonics arrived yesterday and no press conference was held, so reporters asked Zhou Quan and the others to be interviewed, and they had no choice but to agree.
Zhou Quan and Zeng Li were surrounded by the most reporters, more than twenty, and seven or eight cameras, half of which were from domestic reporters.
"Zhou Quan, will you continue your magical performance in the first two games tonight?" a domestic reporter asked excitedly and expectantly.
"I hope so too." Zhou Quan smiled.
"Zhou Quan, Jordan was completely inferior to you in the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals. If he reaches the finals, are you sure of defeating him?" asked another domestic reporter.
Zhou Quan smiled and said: "Michael Jordan is a very powerful guy, but he is not fully in the state yet.
It's hard to say the state of the game. You don't just enter it. Various conditions must be combined to achieve that state.
For example, opponents, strong opponents are one of the main factors that allow you to get into shape. "
"Zhou Quan, are you saying that magic is not strong enough?"
"Of course. And although Jordan's offense last night was average, his defense was good. He had 4 steals and 1 block. Together with Pippen and Harper, he locked down the Magic's perimeter offense."
"Zhou Quan, there is news in China that your family is preparing a wedding room for you. Are you planning to get married?" Another domestic reporter asked.
"Haha, yes, I will get married after the playoffs." Zhou Quan glanced at Zeng Li and nodded with a smile.
"congratulations!"
"Congratulations!"
Then he received a wave of congratulations and answered a few more questions before ending the interview.
…
At 7:30, both sides announced the starting lineup.
Mosaic: Olajuwon, Barkley, Mario Eli, Drexler, Rekasner
SuperSonics: Gilliam, Rodman, Schrempf, Jose Hawkins, Zhou Quan
"victory!"
As soon as the substitute came on to warm up, the Compaq Center couldn't wait to hear a huge roar.
The assassin said in a joking tone: "The Mosaic fans still refuse to admit defeat. They hope that the team can get the series back with the advantage of home court. But I have to say, the possibility is not high."
"That's not necessarily the case." Ranbir sang back.
"Why?" the assassin asked.
Ranbir chuckled and said: "The Iron Fist boy has already exploded twice, and we can't take a break from this one. Do you really think he is a god?"
The assassin nodded and said: "If Iron Fist can't attack like that, Dennis, the second giant of the Sonics, won't be able to stand up."
"Haha..." Ranbir burst into laughter.
The assassin laughed a few times and then said: "But the Sonics have many people who can score. Except for Rodman, the other three people in the main lineup can score.
Schrempf, Hawkins, and Gilliam can all average 15 points per game. If Iron Fist reduces their offense, their offense is not weak, and the Big Three may not be able to win.
Moreover, in the first two games, Iron Fist took on too many offensive tasks. Their physical exertion was not great, so their condition should not be bad. "
Laimbeer looked at the starting list, shook his head and said: "Although Gilliam is better offensively than Geiger, he is not tall enough and his tonnage is not enough. Dameng's performance today should be better than the previous two games."
The assassin nodded and said: "In the G1 and G2 games of the series, Dameng scored 34 points and 26 points respectively, averaging 30 points per game.
The G2 game only lasted three quarters. It would have been better if he had played with full statistics, so his performance was actually not bad. Geiger couldn't guard him alone, and relying on help defense allowed Dameng to perform like this. This super center is indeed good enough. powerful. "
In the player tunnel, the starting lineups of the two teams met.
When Dameng saw Zhou Quan, he couldn't help but snorted coldly, his face looking ugly.
"Dameng, tonight is a good opportunity for you. If you can't beat me tonight, I will prepare to sweep you." Zhou Quan teased with a smile.
Dameng's face became more and more ugly, and he said dissatisfiedly: "Are you so confident?"
Zhou Quan smiled and said: "Do you three really think that the lineup of the Big Three is very strong?"
Glider looked ugly at this time and said: "Iron Fist, I never said that I was a giant. I was no longer at the top three years ago."
Zhou Quan was startled. His impression of Glider was not bad. On the contrary, the two had a good relationship. They played together during the All-Stars. He nodded and said, "Sorry, Clyde. By the way, if you finish this If you still have ideas for this contract, why not help me?"
"Iron Fist, don't mess around."
Dameng was anxious because he knew that Glider's contract had ended and he would be a free agent after the playoffs. The only obstacle to joining the SuperSonics was whether the contract satisfied him. There were no other difficulties.
Glider's expression was also a bit complicated, and he did not directly reject Zhou Quan's kindness.
Buckley said with mixed emotions: "Clyde's contract has ended."
Zhou Quan was startled, then laughed and said, "Isn't that just right? The contracts of several of our SuperSonics players have ended this time, and they may not all get the contracts they want from the management."
He also did not avoid Schrempf and others, because this is something everyone knows. The Sonics cannot provide the big contract they want to everyone whose contract expires, and someone will definitely leave.
"Asshole, could you do this?" Dameng said angrily after hearing Zhou Quan's words.
Zhou Quan stared at Dameng, his cold gaze immediately calmed him down, and said: "Dameng, let alone Clyde's contract is over, even if it is not over, the transaction can still be carried out, what qualifications do you have to stop it? trade?"
Dameng was speechless, he was just unwilling.
"Besides, you can go too. I said I would give you a chance to hold my thigh, have you forgotten?" Zhou Quan said again.
"Pfft!" Rodman laughed.
"asshole!"
Dameng was so angry that he gritted his teeth.
At this time, the playing time is up, and the visiting team goes first.
"Clyde, can you stay for one more season? Charles also has a one-year contract. We will fight for another year next season. If it doesn't work, I won't force you to stay."
After Zhou Quan left, Dameng said to the glider sincerely.
"Hakeem, I'll think about it."
The relationship between the two was so strong that Glider did not refuse and nodded.
None of the three people realized that even Dameng didn't realize there was anything wrong with his words, but in fact, his words had revealed that in his subconscious, he no longer had the sense of winning in this Western Conference Finals series. belief, but has left hope to next season.
At eight o'clock, the game starts.
Jump ball, mosaic offense.
Zhang Lili said: "It is better to use the containment tactic. Rekasna will pull Zhou Quan to the right wing, and the glider will attack with the ball on the left wing."
Xu Jicheng said: "This is actually one of the reasons why Mosaic lost. There was no serious point guard to organize the offense."
"right."
Zhang Liji nodded.
The glider is on the left three-point line, with Barkley in the middle, Big Dream in the low post on the left, and all three giants are on the left.
The glider passed the ball to Barkley below, then ran to the top of the key, taking Hawkins away to prevent him from double-teaming Barkley.
He did not go to the bottom corner because he was afraid that if the attack failed, he would not be able to quickly return to defense. Zhou Quan's defensive counterattack and fast break in the first two games caused Mosaic to suffer a lot.
When Barkley caught the ball, Dameng immediately turned around, bypassed Gilliam and moved towards the basket. Gilliam immediately followed, otherwise Barkley's ball would definitely be passed to Dameng.
But Barkley passed the ball anyway, heading towards the basket.
Facing Gilliam, Dameng had an absolute height advantage due to his height, wingspan, and jumping ability. After taking off from the basket to catch the ball, Dameng didn't make any adjustments, and just followed the trend and hit a dunk.
"Oh! An alley-oop dunk from Flying Pig and Big Dream..." The commentator's roar immediately started.
"The Big Three are on the same wing, and Barkley pulls out. Rodman cannot help defend the basket. Mosaic's offense is good." Zhang Lili praised.
Xu Jicheng said: "It will be difficult for Gilliam to guard against Da Meng alone. No, it is impossible to guard against him."
"It's better to let Matt Geiger go up. After all, it has height and tonnage, and the top defense effect is still good. Gilliam really can't defend against Big Dream." Zhang Liyi nodded.
When the SuperSonics attacked, Zhou Quan held the ball to the top of the arc, read the Mosaic team's defensive formation, and made a tactical gesture.
Dameng sat under the basket, facing Rodman, and Barkley followed Gilliam.
His current state is definitely not as good as the previous two games, so his playing style tonight has been decided, which is to reduce outside jump shots, increase offense at the basket, and try his best to organize offense and strengthen defense.
This is a gesture for a breakthrough tactic. The specific tactic is that Gilliam pulls to the left blocking area. He breaks through from the left elbow area, attracts Barkley's defense, and then takes a shot himself or distributes the ball to Gilliam.
The tactics are very simple. It depends on whether your breakthrough with the ball can attract double-teams and create open opportunities for Gilliam.
(End of chapter)
