On April 27, U.S. time, the fourth game of the series between the Rockets and the Nuggets continued at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

That is, before the game of this game, the league announced the regular season MVP candidates.

Yao Ming won 66 of the 126 first-choice votes, with a preferred rate of 52% and a vote rate of 28.33%, beating Kobe, Paul and Garnett to become the 2007~2008 regular season MVP.

Yao Ming averaged 36.8 minutes per game in the regular season this season, averaging 23.8 points, 12.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game, shooting 61.3% from the field and 90.6% from the free throw line.

The addition of Billups has reduced Yao's assist tally a bit, but it has also made him more efficient.

Tang Tian told Yao Ming the news a day in advance, and Yao Ming was prepared, but he couldn't stop his excitement about playing on the field.

As a result, the Nuggets' three big interior lines were miserable, and Camby, Martin and Nene were beaten a little bitterly, and each of them carried at least 4 fouls.

Karl adhered to the strategy of the third game, but he couldn't stand Yao Ming's overturning on the inside, and the Nuggets couldn't make it to the end.

116-98, the Rockets defeated the Nuggets away, swept the opponent with a total score of 4-0, and advanced strongly to the second round.

Yao Ming scored 32 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists on 14-of-21 shooting in the game, dominating the interior by himself.

On the Nuggets side, Anthony didn't feel good tonight, shooting only 6 of 21 and scoring 20 points and 5 rebounds from the free throw line.

Iverson played the whole game, making 14-of-29 shooting, contributing 40 points, 7 assists and 3 steals, but he struggled to do so, and after being traded to the Nuggets, he stopped in the first round of the playoffs for the second year in a row.

When the final whistle blew, the veteran stared blankly at the scorer under the LED screen and did not leave for a long time.

The players of the Rocket team were celebrating, and Tang Tian was also quite emotional when he saw Iverson's actions at this time.

The peak of the AI's career came to an abrupt end in the 01 playoffs, and because of personality issues, it can't be changed.

Nature?

Tang Tian suddenly remembered that there seemed to be such a perverted play in the products of the system, and it seemed that it was a good choice to have the opportunity to pull Iverson in the last years as a substitute.

"Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the quest and earning 1 honor point. ”

Just as he was thinking about it, he heard the sound of the system in his head.

The sweeping task was completed, and after almost a year, he finally won the honor point again.

"Yao Ming! Yao! ”

At this moment, Tang Tian noticed that the members of Team Rocket were celebrating around Yao Ming.

The MVP results were announced, but the awards were not presented at the same time, and the Rockets players were celebrating Yao Ming in advance.

Tang Tian looked at Yao Ming, then at Iverson, shook his head, and finally withdrew his gaze and beckoned the players to go to the locker room.

Winning the Nuggets is just the first step for the Rockets in the playoffs this season, and unlike last year, the opponents in each later round of this year will only get stronger and stronger, and if you want to win the championship, you really have to be bloody.

The Hornets and the Jazz had a series score of 3-1 at this time, although Deron suddenly woke up in the third game and blew up Paul, but in the fourth game, West beat Boozer, slashed 30 points and 11 boards, and still got the series match point.

Paul, West, although technically only dual, but the Hornets have been stronger in the playoffs this year than ever before.

The team returned to Houston for a period of recuperation, and Tang and the coaching staff began to study the Hornets' playoff style.

Ending the series earlier has the advantage of being able to finish the series a little earlier, at least in terms of preparation.

After a day off, Tang Tian watched Game 5 of the Hornets and Jazz with the coaching staff that night.

Playing away, the Jazz played very tenacious, and Delon also used his physical advantage to frequently single Paul in the low post, but they didn't have much to do with the Hornets on the offensive end, Paul's passing can always find teammates in the most lethal positions, and Peja and Peterson, two outside shooters, continued the hot hand of the series.

In the end, despite Deron scoring 30 points and 11 assists, the Hornets won the match point with Peja's 26 points and Paul's 13 assists, eliminated the Jazz 4-1, and advanced to the second round of the playoffs.

After watching the whole game, the entire coaching staff also had a full understanding of the Hornets.

Paul is only 1.83 meters tall, and he is only in his third year, but his speed, lethality, passing vision, and even physical condition on the court have reached the peak of a point guard.

It's no exaggeration to say that Paul basically accounts for half of this Hornets team.

In the next series, how to limit Paul will be their biggest headache.

The playoffs were fast-paced, and after a day of rest, the Hornets flew to Houston for a second round.

A day after the game, a local reporter in Houston interviewed Chris Paul, the heart of the Hornets, through training.

"Paul, how are you adjusting in Houston?" The reporter came up and chatted first.

"yes, it's very nice, it's very comfortable, and you don't have to worry about a hurricane or something." Paul joked.

"Haha, the team's state must have adjusted very much, right?"

"Yes, we've always been at our best." Paul didn't follow the journalists' routines.

"We have a game against the Rockets tomorrow night, the Rockets are the defending champions, and they are also the favorites to win the championship this season, will there be psychological pressure?"

"No, aren't we the favorites too?" Paul continued with a smile.

"Haha~" The reporter was amused by Paul's words.

"We're not going to be under pressure, we're all ready to make a big play in the playoffs." Paul continued.

"So you're confident that you'll lead your team to the Western Conference Finals?" The reporter asked with a smile.

"Of course, why not?" Paul replied with a smile as well.

"Good luck then."

"Thank you."

Paul is like a smart wise man, blocking every move of the reporter, but you can still feel from his words that he is still confident despite the opponent being the Rockets.

On May 4, U.S. time, the Rockets and Hornets took the lead in kicking off the second round of the playoffs.

Although one is first in the West and the other is fifth in the West, no one thinks it will be a one-sided game.

You must know that at this moment, the Celtics, who are the first in the East, have reached the fifth game with the Hawks, and the score of 3-2 is inseparable.

This year's playoffs are particularly intense, and it is definitely not a soft persimmon that can break into the second round.