After the Rockets played a wave of 3 consecutive wins, the Rockets' players finally went home, and it was really hard to be out on the road. After beating the Mavericks on the road, the Rockets welcomed one of their strongest opponents, the Trail Blazers, back-to-back.

The current Trail Blazers are holding back their strength to give the Rockets a good look, and the strength of the Rockets is beyond doubt, but if you pick a team in the league that can compete with the Rockets, the Trail Blazers will definitely be in the top few.

Before the start of the game, Olajuwon and Pippen continued to talk about it, Pippen said in an interview: "The Rockets are very powerful, but the Trail Blazers are not easy to deal with, the current Trail Blazers are completely capable of beating the Rockets, as long as the Trail Blazers play normally, the Rockets will definitely not be our opponents." Olajuwon heard this, smiled and said: "Oh, it turns out that some time ago, when the Trail Blazers lost to the Rockets, they all played abnormally." ”

Olajuwon's words caused all the reporters who interviewed them to laugh more than once, and this kind of slap in the face made all the players of the Trail Blazers feel angry.

And inside the rockets, all Olajuwon's words, expressed appreciation, Mark? Jackson laughed and said, "Hey, Hakim, I didn't know you were so good, and I'm admiring you more and more now." ”

Olajuwon gave Mark a blank look? Jackson said: "You kid know, you're finished, you've offended me now, and I now think that a bottle of the best Bordeaux wine of '82 can make up for the wounds in my soul." ”

Mark? Jackson said disdainfully: "Hmph, what kind of wine do you want to drink, what do you care about me, you will die of that heart, you should know that I am a person who sacrifices my life and money." ”

Olajuwon held his chin with one hand, his eyes squinted 30 degrees, and he sighed and said: "I don't know, if my brother and sister knew what someone's performance would be like, the good people now are really tired, such a serious thing, pressing on my heart, my soul has caused such a huge trauma, and now it is not a bottle of wine can make up for it, I estimate that there are at least 2 bottles now, if it is over a while, maybe it will be 3 bottles, oh my God, I am so pure." ”

Listening to Olajuwon's blatant blackmail, all the players of the Rockets burst into laughter, and several young people even lay on the floor with their stomachs in their arms and couldn't get up laughing.

And Mark at this time? Jackson's black face was like opening a dye shop, one would be red, the other would be green, it would be a thousand purples and thousands of reds.

Hear Mark here? Jackson gritted his teeth and said to Olajuwon: "Okay, Hakim, you are ruthless today, two bottles are two bottles, I admit it, after the training is over, let's go buy it together." ”

Olajuwon is very kind to Mark? Jackson said: "Mark, don't force it, I'm the one who doesn't like to force others." Well, why is your face so bad, do you want me to take you to the hospital to have a look, you have to know that too much anger is not good for your body. ”

Mark at the moment? Jackson could only snort viciously, and then whispered, "Hakim, don't let me catch you, or you don't need to be good-looking." After saying that, he didn't wait for Olajuwon to say anything and turned around and went to practice.

The Rockets players on the side were smiling very happily, and it was really exciting to see such a performance. And the old soup on the sidelines nodded even more, Olajuwon and Mark? Jackson's frolicking like this greatly relieves the pressure in the Rockets' heart, and it would be nonsense to say that the Rockets are not nervous now, because the Trail Blazers, who have been running in for several years, have now won 15 in a row, and they are now only 1.5 wins behind the Rockets.

In the face of such a strong opponent, the Rockets are ready for a fierce battle, but what they don't know is that the intensity of this game has exceeded the Rockets' expectations.

On January 19, 2000, the Rockets once again attracted the challenge of strong opponents on their home court, and the Trail Blazers were ready to overturn the Rockets to the ground.

Before the start of the game, the Rockets adjusted the starting lineup, and Olajuwon replaced Big Ben in the starting position, in order to be able to suppress Sabonis's power, and the old man could use the old man to deal with it.

The others haven't changed much, but the Trail Blazers have changed a lot, Damon? Stadamire was squeezed out of the main squad due to injury, Mike? Bibby has successfully usurped the throne successfully, and on the scoring guard Ruben ? Patterson has also become a regular player, and his defensive ability has finally been replaced by Mike? Dunleavy found out that after the training of the game, the current Reuben? Patterson has gradually become the main force of the Trail Blazers' perimeter defense.

Pippen still firmly occupies the position of small forward, although he is old, but the huge advantage in experience, awareness, and technology can only let the old Dunleavy put Lassad? Grandma Lewis pressed against the bench.

Rashid in the power forward position? Wallace's position is still unbreakable, at least in this position, he is one of the few who can play against Garnett, Duncan, Malone and other excellent playing forwards.

In the position of center forward, Sabonis still firmly occupies the position of the main force, this old guy can't look at jumping, can't run, but his strategy and ability to play in tandem, I really don't want to be a center above 2.20 meters.

After the game started, the Trail Blazers held their breath and the Rockets were on top, Sabonis often ran to the high post to respond to the team's offense, and Mike? Bibby was even smarter, and after Sabonis took on the responsibility of tandem play, he became a fixed-point pitcher, deeply embedded in the aftermath of his teammates, appearing everywhere he should have been.

Rashid? Wallace whispered to his friend Garnett, who was pestering him, "Man, we're going to take a win today." ”

Garnett shrugged his shoulders senselessly and said, "You kid, I've said this many times, find something I haven't heard in the future, or I'll be annoyed if you don't bother." ”

Rashid? Wallace looked at his friend, shook his head helplessly and said: "I know that your kid said this, okay, I won't say anything to you today, you kid must know, this can't be afraid of you, it's for the sake of you and my sworn friends, so I don't say it." ”

Garnett tilted his mouth and didn't say anything, but said secretly in his heart: You just pull it, you kid still want to spray me, dream.

But Garnett didn't say this, so let's save some face for my buddies in general.

The first quarter of the game ended in a battle between the Rockets and the Trail Blazers, and neither side took advantage of the opponent's interior because several people on both sides were All-Star calipers.

Seeing that there was no advantage in the battle on the inside, the head coaches of both sides also focused on the changes on the outside, and the old Dunleavy said loudly to several of his outside players: "From the second quarter of the game, the outside must strengthen the defense, the Rockets did not take advantage of the inside, the second quarter will definitely strengthen the attack on the outside, their attack on the outside is very strong, Scott and Ruben, you have to strengthen the protection of the outside line in the second half, these people of the Rockets can not relax, especially Ray?" Aaron and Bodi Loga, these two have very strong attacks, you have to be careful. Jermaine came on the court in the middle of the line, give me a stronger offense, Rashid you and Jermaine must strengthen the offense, Olajuwon's old man played 10 minutes in the first quarter, and he will definitely not play in the second quarter, if the bus comes on, as long as he is not under the basket, you must know how hard Garnett is going to do it? ”

Everyone in the Pioneer nodded quickly, signaling that they all knew.

And the Rockets are also making adjustments, Big Ben did not play, after replacing Olajuwon at the end of the first quarter, after the start of the second quarter, the Rockets put Da Yao on the court, Horry was also replaced, and Saulius went up.

In this way, the Rockets' backcourt attack has been greatly improved, although Saullius's defensive ability is worse than Horry's, but it is also better than Horry in terms of offense.

The three big shooters on the outside of the Rockets appeared, and the Rockets' changes surprised the Trail Blazers, and in the first 5 minutes of the second quarter, the Rockets actually beat the opponent with an 11-0 score, which caught the Trail Blazers a little off guard.

Old Dunleavy hurriedly called a timeout, and could only adjust again, Reuben? Patterson down, Rassad? Lewis came on because Ruben missed three consecutive unguarded shots in the first five minutes of the second quarter, which is not allowed in such a tight game.

Looking at Reuben with a somewhat heavy expression? Patterson, Sabonis beside him, whispered: "Reuben, don't worry, there is still time for the game, it's only here now, there is still half a game to beat." ”

Reuben? Patterson paused and smiled at Sabonis, the heavy look on his face a lot more relaxed.

Rassad? After Lewis came on the court, he made a jump shot on Ray Allen's head on the grounds of his height advantage, and the basketball hit with a 'boom'.

Looking at Lewis who was leaving with a blank face, Ray? Aaron's expression froze, and in this kid's body, he felt a temperament that was very similar to him, the temperament of a killer.

Thunder in the heart? Allen has raised Lewis's threat up a few notches. Thunder? Allen came to Lewis with the ball and said indifferently: "Man, your shooting is really good, I don't know how sustainable." ”

Rassad? Lewis smiled and whispered, "Ray, known as the number one killer of the future? I'm really honored that Allen can compliment me as a second-round rookie. ”

Thunder? As soon as Allen heard Lewis in front of him sarcastically talk about him, he didn't say anything but smiled faintly, and suddenly raised his hand and hit a three-pointer in front of Lewis. Allen's killer shot, a lightning-fast shot, makes people can't react at all.

Thunder? Allen still said to Lewis so indifferently: "Man, basketball depends on strength, if you want people to respect you, you kid should show some real skills." ”

Looking at Ray? Allen's face was indifferent and unconcerned, Lewis was deeply stung, he had always been known as a genius player in high school, but he didn't expect to be selected in the second round when he participated in the draft, and then he was thrown to Portland like a rag. However, here he met a good coach, and that was Mike? Dunleavy, under the guidance of the old Dunleavy, Lewis's potential was quickly tapped, a young man who is not yet 20 years old, has become an indispensable main substitute player in the Trail Blazers, as the Trail Blazers' combat effectiveness is getting stronger and stronger, the outside world's evaluation of Lewis is getting higher and higher, but today it looks like Ray who has only stepped into the league two years earlier than himself? Aaron's indifference to himself, the trace of inferiority hidden in his heart, was suddenly aroused, he didn't like others to look at him with such a tone and gaze, he wanted to thunder? Allen proved himself in front of him and proved that he was no worse than his opponent.

Lewis, who made up his mind, began his own battle, but the imbalance in his mentality caused Lewis to deform his movements. Allen's defense strengthened his defense, and the Trail Blazers' offense was once again suppressed.

Now the Trail Blazers see more of Lewis's forced shot after receiving the ball, after a few such shots, the old Dunleavy decisively replaced Lewis, looking at Lewis with a dignified face, the old Dunleavy couldn't help but scold: "Rashad, what are you going to do, know who today's opponent is, do you know what your behavior is?" You give me a good reflection, and if you don't think well, you won't play today. After saying that, he waved his hand to Lewis and motioned for him to rest in the back, while Dunleavy Sr. stood on the sidelines and directed the Trail Blazers to play.

Lewis, who had already regretted it, opened his mouth to explain something, while Sabonis, who was beside him, reached out and tugged Lewis and shook his head at Lewis, signaling that now was not the time to speak.

The game entered the half-time stage in such a situation, and both sides were already going to give their best in the first half of the game, and both sides knew how strong their opponents were, and everyone knew that their battle would be in the second half.

At halftime, the two sides licked their wounds in a no-man's corner after two fierce battles, ready to continue the fight.

When the third quarter began, the game between the two sides entered a white-hot phase, and after an 11-0 attack wave in the second quarter, the Trail Blazers began to brew a counterattack. Sure enough, after the start of the third quarter, the Trail Blazers' counterattack began, and the counterattack was so fierce.

Rashad who apologized at halftime? Lewis, with the help of his teammates, began his own show, with a series of pick-and-rolls, and the Trail Blazers players were blocking for the youngest brother on the team, giving him time and space to hit the Rockets' basket.

The Trail Blazers also spent 5 minutes to replace the opponent with a 12:0, Lao Tang looked at the state on the court, took a deep breath, said nothing on the sidelines, and waved his hand to replace Da Yao, because he found that after the Trail Blazers blocked and dismantled, the Rockets' defense began to be disjointed, and the far point was this Chinese big man.

Big Ben made up for this shortcoming after he came on the court, and the two sides fell into a stalemate again, Big Ben's two consecutive big hats made the Trail Blazers' offense into a stalemate, and Pippen's two consecutive steals also made the Rockets more careful in the offense.

Time passed minute by minute, almost unconsciously, the third quarter of the game was over, the two sides were almost in the timer huge buzz, only to know that the third quarter of the game was over, the players of the two teams, walked to the sidelines and threw their bodies directly on the chairs, they were so tired, in the highly concentrated game, they have completely forgotten the concept of time.

Looking at the state of their players, the head coaches of both teams know that the time has come to grit their teeth, and if they can't bite at this time, then the whole game between the two sides will be meaningless.

When the fourth quarter began, both sides began to fight each other. However, in terms of personnel allocation, the Rockets still have the upper hand, Big Ben, Garnett, Horry, Saullius, Daniels, the lineup made the old Dunleavy feel that there are so many Rocket fighters.

However, the game was always played by five people, and after the start of the fourth quarter of the game, the Rockets began to press the Trail Blazers to play, after all, there is a huge difference in physical strength between the two sides, and the Trail Blazers players who have been fighting for three quarters will never be the Rockets players who have rested for a long time.

However, the Trail Blazers were like cockroaches that couldn't be killed, and they stubbornly suppressed the scores of the two sides, and never let the Rockets pull the scores apart.

The score between the two sides has always been between two points, which has kept the Rockets' players at ease, because it only takes one mistake for them to change the scoreline.

Under such pressure, the Rockets' players finally made a mistake, and it was at the last moment of the game that Garnett made a pass error at a critical moment and was directly stealed by Pippen.

Watching Pippen act like a cold-blooded creature and accurately pass the basketball to Rashad in the front court? Lewis's hand.

At this time, Lewis didn't even look at the thunder that had been guarded in front of him? Allen, opening his hand directly outside the three-point line is a three-pointer.

The "bang" basketball drilled into the basket accurately, and the fans at the Rockets' home court were stunned, because the Rockets had no time, and the Rockets were one point behind with 12.5 seconds of time.

Looking at the quiet home court of the Rockets, Lewis raised his hand that hit the quasi-lore high, and he smiled, he smiled very happily.

However, Lewis thought of the beginning and did not think of the ending, they faced an opponent who was a team that was hard to the bone, and he did not know what kind of strength such an opponent would have.

This time, he had an experience that he would never forget, just as Lewis was basking in the joy of his own killer opponent.

The Rockets shattered the Trail Blazers' dreams in the final second.

(To be continued)