407 Chapter 407 : Jordan Lost!!!
"The Lakers have won two consecutive home games, which is very good."
"Kobe saved Game 1 and Shaq killed Game 2."
California has entered May, and even the sun has become more dazzling, but this still cannot resist the enthusiasm of fans to discuss the NBA. If North Carolina is the heart of the NCAA, Los Angeles is equally important to the NBA. Regardless of the number of fans here, their passion for basketball and spending power are among the best in the NBA.
"Did you watch the Jazz-Houston game?"
"No, then you have to take a good look at it. The two sides are currently tied 1-1. The result of this round of the series is hard to predict."
While the Lakers won two consecutive home games, Houston went to the Utah Plateau and fought two games at the Jazz's home court.
This is the first confrontation between a group of historical teams in the NBA this year, which has attracted a lot of attention and heated discussions. Whether it's the Lakers playing against the Sonics in the West, or the Bulls playing against the Atlanta Hawks in the East, or the Heat playing against the Knicks, the influence they bring is far less than that of Houston and the Jazz in this round of playoffs.
Just looking at the number of stars is very straightforward. Houston has Olajuwon, Barkley, Drexler, and Jim Jackson. The Jazz have this year's new MVP Karl Malone, Stockton, and Hornacek.
The paper lineup of the two teams can be called the Galacticos.
Although Houston met the Suns in the first round and was caught off guard by Kevin John Hoon, the veterans who gradually regained their form in this round of the series finally reaped the victory without any risk. Even if Kevin John Hoon has the ability to shake the sky, he is still no match for these superstars in Houston.
Houston, which has regained its competitive state, is the strongest starting team in the league, in this era when the inside is king. They have an inside combination of two superstars, such a combination can be called the Buddha blocking and killing the Buddha god blocking and killing the gods. Coupled with the group of outside strikers whose average height is all around 2 meters, Houston has become the team with the most possibility of winning the championship.
Many players are imagining how Kobe and Jordan will perform against a team in Houston that has built a roster system entirely for them. When Houston traded for Jim Jackson on a season-ending hiatus, their interior and exterior defenses have been perfect for defending forwards and guards.
There is Olajuwon on the inside, even Jordan and Kobe dare not easily challenge Olajuwon's inside defense. On the outside, the three have very different styles and characteristics, but they all have tall heights and strong confrontation. Once you choose to break through, there will be Olajuwon and other tall players in rotation.
Such a defensive system is the grave of all top swingmen in the league! If the two most prominent outside scorers of the Lakers and Bulls fall into the cage of Houston's defensive system, then with the offensive advantages of multiple superstars, Houston can easily win the game.
Houston's defense didn't show much in the first round, and it was even a bit embarrassing. That's because Kevin Johnson is a big defender's nightmare, and he can easily get past any defender on Houston's perimeter. Immediately afterwards, the shot was completed before Olajuwon's wandering double-team arrived. Small players like Kevin John Hoon are Houston's Achilles' heel.
In the second round, Stockton's performance also became the key to the Jazz's victory.
In the first game, Stockton and Malone's pick-and-roll tactics played well. Under the addition of the Jazz's devil's home court, Houston did not adapt throughout the first half. The low pressure on the plateau, the Jazz's defensive style with physical confrontation, and the tide of offense from Stockton and the new MVP made Houston unable to breathe.
Houston's offensive and defensive rhythms were not found until the second half, but it was too late at this time. Stockton, who played more and more smoothly, organized the Jazz's entire offense in an orderly manner, even if Olajuwon and Barkley took turns in the second half. , the score is still maintained at around 10 points.
G1: Houston 87:98 Jazz. Stockton had 21 points and 12 assists, and Malone had 27 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists.
Olajuwon had 21 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks, and Barkley had 19 points and 10 rebounds.
In the second game, Houston pulled one back at the Jazz's home court.
This time it was Drexler who stood up, although Houston's defensive system was useless against the Jazz. But their height advantage can still be cashed out on offense, and Drexler's defensive player is Brian Russell. Drexler scored 17 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists in just half of the game on his head.
The Jazz's weakness is still perimeter defense, and this shortcoming has begun to be seen by more and more people. Even if the Jazz has Stockton at the level of the best defensive team, his defensive influence is limited to small guards. Facing the Lakers and Houston without traditional small guards, Stockton should not say that the blockade lasts. As a ball player, he can't even guarantee that he won't be an offensive gap. Stockton, who consumed too much physical energy on the defensive end, was not as brave as the first game on the offensive end. He only scored 7 points and 8 assists in the game.
G2: Houston 101:93 Jazz. Drexler had 27 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists, and Olajuwon had 18 points, 16 rebounds and 6 blocks.
Ma Longkong scored a game-high 31 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists, unable to recover.
The west is in full swing, and the east is equally strong!
Lost! The mighty Chicago Bulls lost to the Atlanta Hawks at home in G2!
No one thought that the Atlanta Hawks, as a civilian team, could defeat the Pistons 3:2 and win a victory at the Bulls' home court to tie the big score! Steve Smith scored 27 points, Mook Brayrock had 26 points, Uncle Mu had 19 points and 15 rebounds, and Laettner had 18 points. 4 people smashed the Bulls' defense!
And Jordan fell into a slump unexpectedly, scoring only 27 points, 16 rebounds and 6 assists on 12 of 29 shots. In this game, it can be seen from the number of shots and rebounds that Jordan is going all out! Whenever Jordan rebounds in double figures, it means that he is playing very hard! But still lost!
Atlanta and Wilkens made headlines straight after the game.
Although it is only one game, even if they lose all the rest, the Eagles are enough to prove themselves.
The confrontation between the Heat and the Knicks is an iron and blood confrontation, Ewing and Oakley against Mourning and PJ Brown!
There are strong men on both sides!
G1 Knicks 88-79 Heat. Alan Houston 27 points, Ewing 24 points and 16 rebounds.
Hardaway 21 points, Mourning 20 points and 6 rebounds. It can be said that in this game, the Knicks relied on the performance of the stars to win the game. Ewing proved his youth and strength, and Alan Houston also cut his teeth.
G2 Knicks 84:88 Heat. The two sides have been anxious for the whole game, and the collision and defense between flesh and blood are the main theme.
In the end, Tim Hardaway took over the game strongly in the last quarter, scoring 34 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists, taking away the victory. None of the other players in the game scored 20 points. This victory also gave Tim Hardaway's first team some convincing.