After the Minnesota Timberwolves ended their first-round series early, the team began to enter a rest state. Taking into account the physical condition of the players, the team management specially gave the players two days off, but strictly ordered the players not to indulge themselves.
Of course, Zhao Feiyang and others readily accepted this arrangement.
However, as the team's super center, Dwight Howard is undoubtedly having a hard time. Although he has changed a lot, in essence some things are still difficult to change, and as an athlete, his energy is sometimes too strong, so it is good to find a suitable way to release himself.
Howard planned to secretly hold a party at home and invite a group of girls over. As long as he didn't tell anyone, no one would know.
It's a pity that he underestimated teammates like Zhao Feiyang. When the holiday started, Zhao Feiyang directly called all teammates including Kevin Martin and Zach LaVine, and everyone started a barbecue party in Howard's luxurious villa.
In this regard, Howard, who knew it well, could only silently give up his plan.
"Dwight, I know what you want to do, everyone knows what you want to do... But you can't do this now, you can't vent the excess energy in your body... Just wait! You will be needed for the next two rounds..."
"When the season is over, you can release yourself however you want..."
Zhao Feiyang patted Howard on the shoulder to express comfort.
Other teammates also looked at Howard to watch the excitement.
In this regard, Howard really felt bitter and couldn't express his feelings.
As uncomfortable as it was, Howard didn't blame Zhao Feiyang, he was even very grateful to Zhao Feiyang from the bottom of his heart.
Since he regained his form, the outside world's comments about him have almost reversed.
In the past, many people, both fans and industry insiders, thought he had little value and thought that with his temperament it was impossible to achieve decent results. However, since the start of the playoffs, his contribution and value to the team have been visible to the naked eye.
Those who ridiculed him also chose to keep their mouths shut, and those who did not believe him also began to change their minds.
In their view, if Howard continues to play like this, it is entirely possible for him to touch the championship again.
The starting point of all these changes is because of the help of Zhao Feiyang and the team.
Howard missed Kobe before, but now he doesn't plan to miss the Timberwolves and Zhao Feiyang again.
Like the Timberwolves, the entire Golden State Warriors team is also relaxing, as is the Cleveland Cavaliers in the East.
All three of their teams have swept the record, so there is enough time to buffer and restore the players' physical condition.
Different from the Timberwolves' self-discipline, the Cavaliers' relaxation is very simple, that is, letting all the players go out and relax. Even the team boss LeBron is like this. He showed up in a nightclub with a group of Cavaliers players. , was unfortunately photographed by a media reporter.
However, LeBron and his teammates don't care about such news at all, they don't care at all.
Likewise, the relaxed life of the Golden State Warriors is similar.
Not only did the whole team go to the nightclub, Draymond Green was also photographed by the paparazzi taking two blondes back to his residence at night. Even Klay Thompson was photographed meeting a curvy girl in the nightclub. girl.
In short, the three teams each have different ways of relaxing, and they are all waiting for their opponents to fight their way out of the blood.
A week later, the first round of the Eastern and Western Conference playoffs finally ended.
The result did not exceed the expectations of the fans. In the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Clippers eventually lost to the Portland Trail Blazers 3-4. The Trail Blazers lost to Damian Lillard and CJ McColler. Under the leadership of Mu, they advanced to the second round.
Their next opponent is the Minnesota Timberwolves led by Zhao Feiyang.
The other team that advanced was the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder and San Antonio Spurs battled for seven games and finally eliminated their opponent 4-3.
Their next opponent is the Golden State Warriors.
Two teams that had just finished seven games faced off against two teams that were waiting for work. Such a game had already made the outside world feel the gap between the two sides before the game even started.
In the East, the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics tied 4-2, and they ended the battle in only 6 games.
The Toronto Raptors and Indiana Pacers both struggled, and the two sides didn't decide the winner until the seventh game.
4 to 3 was their final score.
The same is true for the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets. Even though the former is led by Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, they still waited until the seventh game to end the battle.
The semifinal matchups in the Eastern Conference have thus become the Cavaliers versus the Hawks, and the Raptors versus the Heat.
Two days later, the East and West semifinals came as scheduled.
The Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Portland Trail Blazers at Target Center.
This game has already attracted enough attention before it officially started. Not only was it broadcast live in the United States, but China CCTV on the other side of the ocean also specifically chose prime time to broadcast the game.
In the Timberwolves locker room, players gathered together. Head coach Norman Thomas was instructing various matters while talking about the situation of the Trail Blazers, while the players listened while changing clothes.
"For us, the two most important defensive points are Damien and McCollum...I have to send two people to mark them..."
"Zhao, you go and mark McCollum, I'll leave him to you... Zach, you go and mark Damien..."
"If necessary, you can choose to double-team! The wings are always ready. Damien is their offensive engine. As long as we completely restrict him, it will be difficult for the Trail Blazers to break through our defense... .”
Soon, the players finished dressing up and the Timberwolves players gathered together. Before officially walking out of the locker room and heading to the infield, Zhao Feiyang stopped everyone.
"Guys, this is a very new experience for us. This is the Western Conference semifinals... If we get past this round, we can make it to the Western Conference finals..."
"Whether you are for honor or your own future, the stage of the Western Conference Finals can allow you to shine... Guys, come on! Let us kill them in one go!"
"Today's game can only be won and not lost... As the team leader, I must lead by example. If I win the game, I will treat each of you to a drink. If I lose the game, I will take the lead in practicing in the gym until the early morning. a little......"
"Hopefully we can have a drink together after the game..."
