The Lakers have been repairing on the Utah Plateau for three days, and the second game has finally arrived as scheduled.

In the Energy Solutions Arena, before the start of the game, David Stern, president of the league, personally attended the scene to present the regular season MVP trophy for Karl Malone, who averaged 23.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game in the regular season this season, and the Jazz's record is the first in the league, so Karl Malone's MVP is well deserved.

However, there must be those who are not convinced, such as Shaquille O'Neal of the Lakers.

Although the Lakers' record is only fourth in the West, O'Neal's personal performance is very good, averaging 26.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 blocks per game this season.

Before the start of the game, the league held a small ceremony, and Qiao Hai saw David Stern for the first time, but he watched from the sidelines for a while before entering the locker room.

The atmosphere in the locker room was still very good, because the Lakers led 1-0, and anyway, the Lakers took the initiative in the series.

The sound of the announcer in the stadium and the cheers of the Jazz fans were heard all the time, and they were so loud that they could be heard clearly in the visiting locker room.

With such a lively movement, it is impossible for the Lakers players to have no ideas in their hearts.

Qiao Hai smiled inwardly, as long as the players under his command had ideas, this game would be easy to play.

"Guys, the game is almost underway." Qiao Hai walked to the center of the field, and it looked like he was going to make adjustments and arrangements for the opening. "The movement outside is not small, it is very lively, and in this game, the Devils of Utah are going to be even more devilish."

Qiao Hai's words are not a lie, the first game was lost, and before this game, Karl Malone took over the regular season MVP trophy, and the atmosphere of the Energy Solutions Arena must be on a higher level.

"I don't know if you will be affected, but I am sure that I have been affected...... Qiao Hai's words turned around for a moment, and his next words made the players suddenly. Hear them celebrate, hear their cheers, if I were you, I'd give 200% of my strength to shut them up! Tell them! The game hasn't started yet! It's not time for them to celebrate! Now the series leader is the Los Angeles Lakers! ”

Shaquille O'Neal clenched his fists, Qiao Hai was right, the game hasn't started yet, and the Lakers are leading by a big score! Why are Jazz fans so presumptuous?

"So! Kill the Jews! Stirred up Carl Marlon's celebration feast! ”

Qiao Hai did not make any adjustments to the lineup and tactics of the last game, because there was no need, the Lakers played perfectly in the last game, suppressing the Jazz all over the court, such a performance obviously does not need to be adjusted, adjustments are redundant, and sometimes even counterproductive.

Without any adjustments, the arena of the Energy Solutions arena was still noisy, and in the midst of the noise and boos, the Lakers took the stage.

"The Lakers' starting lineup in this game was exactly the same as the previous game, with point guard Derrick Fisher, scoring guard Kobe Bryant, small forward Bruce Bowen, power forward Scott Pippen, and center Shaquille O'Neal."

For this game, NBC sent Ernie Johnson and Mike Flatrow to narrate the game, with Mike Flatrow having just finished coaching the Cleveland Cavaliers and joining NBC as a commentator after the playoffs began.

Looking at the unconventional starting lineup that the Lakers have put on for two consecutive games, Mike Fratro is really a little strange: "The win in the last game seems to have sweetened Qiao Hai, and he has put the same starting lineup for two consecutive games, but can such a set of starters really work in this game?" ”

"I'm afraid the Jazz are going to stare at the misplaced Scott Pippen and slam it." Ernie Johnson shook his head, apparently not optimistic about the Lakers' unconventional start for two consecutive games.

The Jazz's starters were also released quickly, point guard John Stockton, scoring guard was replaced from Jeff Hornacek to Shanton Anderson, small forward is still Brian Russell, power forward is Karl Malone, and center Greg Ostertag.

The only change in the Jazz's starting lineup was the change of shooting guard to Shanton Anderson, the purpose of which was obvious, and the purpose of this change was obvious, and the switch to Shanton Anderson, who was better defensively and more impactful from the outside, was to strengthen the outside defense, and for this, Jerry Sloan preferred to sacrifice some outside shooting.

Jerry Sloan has also clearly realized that if he doesn't match the Big Three who prevent the Lakers, there is no chance in the game.

……

The opening jump ball, as Shaquille O'Neal won the opening game, the Energy Solutions Arena erupted in boos.

Derrick Fisher took the ball and controlled it at the top of the arc for a while, and Scott Pippen pulled to the outside and took the basketball.

Karl Malone can't defend it, so the Jazz's defense is a shift defense, and it is Brian Russell who defends Pippen, while on the other side, Shanton Anderson is staring at Kobe, and this kind of defensive alignment can finally reassure Jerry Sloan.

Scott Pippen opened the game with a strong attack, broke through the middle and split the ball to the outside, and Bryant received the ball and also burst through and rushed to the inside line to miss the layup.

Shanton Anderson's defensive performance is not bad, at least he has seen Kobe, more than a little better than Jeff Hornacek, who can't look down on Kobe at all.

After the Lakers missed the offense, Greg Ostertag on the inside won the rebound, and then it was the Jazz's turn to attack.

Qiao Hai is eager to see what changes the Jazz's offense has made in this game so that Qiao Hai can respond.

Jerry Sloan walked to the sidelines, seemingly ready to oversee the team's first attack of the game.

John Stockton took the ball from the outside, Karl Malone was in the middle range, and Shanton Anderson appeared in the bottom corner at the beginning, and at this time he was already winding back to the top of the arc from the bottom corner.

That's a good idea indeed, Shanton Anderson is a third-year student, young enough, and as mentioned earlier, he has a strong impact on the outside, and if you use it well, it will definitely be useful.

Sure enough, on the court, Shanton Anderson passed by John Stockton's side, cooperated with one hand, inadvertently got the basketball, and rushed directly to the basket with two steps.

Kobe Bryant's defense was not bad either, staring at Shanton Anderson.

On the other side, Karl Malone and John Stockton made another off-ball pick-and-roll, which Joe Hay noticed, and he also noticed that the players on the court seemed to be ignoring John Stockton.

In a hurry, Qiao Hai shouted directly: "Derek, follow your people!" ”

Only then did Derek Fisher react and turned to chase John Stockton, but Sandon Anderson's pass had already reached John Stockton.

John Stockton made a mid-range shot, and Derek Fisher flew in and pounced, but he couldn't make an effective interference! The ball is in! ”

2:0, Jazz scored first.

The Lakers' offense, Scott Pippen observed the Jazz's defense with the ball, and finally put the ball inside, O'Neal singled inside, turned around and dunked to score 2 points, and the two teams tied at the beginning.

Subsequently, the Jazz's offense, Jerry Sloan did not stare at Scott Pippen as the two commentators Ernie Johnson and Mike Fratro said, and Shanton Anderson was already fully mobilized by the Jazz, and this wave of offense was rushed by Shanton Anderson.

Fortunately, Bryant's defense was in place, interfering with Shanton Anderson's shot.

Shanton Anderson shot iron, the Lakers grabbed the rebound, the situation was clear, and in the second game, Shanton Anderson was used by Jerry Sloan as an X-factor that affected the victory of the game.