"The Battle of Tennoyama."

The Tokyo Daily gave the G5 title to the key battle that would determine the rise and fall of the power of both sides.

A number of stars arrived at the United Center to watch the game live.

The game started at eight o'clock, and before seven o'clock, the fans filled the arena, and the atmosphere was warm and tense.

"Erwin, who do you think has the better chance of winning this game?" A reporter interviewed Magic Johnson.

"Of course it's the Bulls playing at home. And at critical moments, I believe in Michael Jordan's ability and his mental qualities.

On the other hand, the Pistons now have no one who can stand up at critical moments, no explosive scoring, and once the score is behind, they have no ability to turn the tables.

Under Michael's defense, Iron Fist's offense is still a little worse, still not sharp enough, the offense is not resolute enough, and he doesn't believe in his own ability.

He's got a good break with the ball, but for the most part, he's split the ball after the breakaway, rather than solving the problem himself, so I'd suggest he has to step up his shots and shoot more resolutely. ”

"Guess why he said that?" In the away team's locker room, Zhou Quan stared at the TV on the wall and suddenly asked.

"Encourage you to shoot and undo your most powerful passing ability." The assassin also stared at the magician on the television, his eyes shining with indifference.

"I know, I asked him why he said that." Zhou Quan said with a smile.

"You also have a conflict with him?" The assassin asked curiously.

"I haven't heard of it!" Jo Dumas said.

"Nope." Zhou Quan shook his head and said.

He smiled and said, "The human heart is very complicated, and this guy doesn't know what other purpose there is. ”

He actually thought of the Lakers, who had contacted Phillip in the hope that he would play for the Lakers, and Magic had just acquired a 5% stake in the Lakers and was the Lakers' petty owner.

So, is this guy hoping that he won't be successful with the Pistons, or deliberately belittles him, and is it easier to be traded by the Lakers?

The trade is not something he can decide, but he can also exert a certain amount of pressure in favor of the Lakers' trade, which may be the purpose of the Lakers.

However, if the Magic and the Lakers really mean that, he doesn't want to go to the Lakers, he doesn't want to be calculated.

At this time, Rodman shouted: "Iron Fist, after the second round, the league will announce the best team, I think you have any hope of being selected for the double team?" ”

"Double-band?"

Including Zhou Quan, they were all stunned.

"Possibly."

Joe Dumas smiled, he was named to the All-Defensive Team last year, but this season Zhou Quan's defensive performance has really surpassed him, and he has a better chance of being selected for the first team than he does.

As for the best team, he has been selected twice and in the third team, and he should have a chance this year, but at most it is the second team, and he didn't think about it for a while, who can compete for Jordan in the second position?

Iron Fist does have a chance, after all, in the No. 1 position, from individual performance to team record, no point guard is currently better than him.

"Dennis, you're also expected to be in the All-Defensive Team, maybe it's a while." Zhou Quan said with a smile.

Rodman immediately laughed, he didn't care about the vanity, but with these things, he had the confidence to ask for a bigger contract.

At this time, in the home team's locker room, Jordan was on the phone with Barkley.

"Charles, don't lose to David Robinson, it's a rare opportunity, and I want to taste what it's like to kill you in the finals."

"Michael, don't try to win me this time, we're definitely going to get match point tonight, and you, be careful not to get killed by that Iron Fist guy."

"How is that possible? I'm going to win tonight. ”

Jordan's voice suddenly became sharp, revealing an invincible sharpness and a strong competitive spirit from the phone.

"Me too." Barkley was not to be outdone.

……

Tonight's game is very crucial, if the Bulls lose, let the Pistons get the match point, the Bulls' hopes of hitting the third consecutive championship will be sharply reduced, so the attention is very high.

The United Center Arena is very lively, with a large number of celebrities haunting.

At half past seven, the substitutes came off the bench to warm up, and the starting list was also announced at the same time.

Pistons: Ronnie Secali, Dennis Rodman, Joe Dumas, Zhou Quan, Isaiah Thomas

Bulls: Scott Williams, Hores Grant, Scottie Pippen, Michael Jordan, John Paxson

On the ABC commentary seat, after getting the list, Bill Wharton looked at it and said in surprise: "The assassin is on the starter? Then the height of the outside line of the piston is too much of a loss, how to fight this? ”

Lewis Williams was also a little surprised, but said: "Ulrich played too poorly and became a hole targeted by the Bulls, and the Pistons took him as a good choice."

In this set, I think the ball will be controlled by the Iron Fist, and the Assassins seem to be in okay physical condition now, better than last season, and played less in the regular season.

His role on the court should be similar to that of John Paxson, dribbling the ball across the half court, and then handing it to Iron Fist, and he should be able to play against Paxson, everyone is a wounded soldier. ”

Bill Wharton thought for a moment and said, "Joe Dumas went to defend Pippen, and the height disadvantage was great, but the effect should be better than Ulrich, who was defending the black hole most of the time. ”

Speaking of this, he changed his words and said: "The defensive end should be good, a little better than Ulrich, but on the offensive end, the outside line is highly disadvantaged, how to break through the Bulls' outside defense?" ”

Williams nodded: "Pippen's defense of Joe Dumas, plus the arm span, is close to a height disadvantage of 20 centimeters, Joe Dumas's performance tonight can't be counted on, then the outside line can only look at Iron Fist and assassins."

However, although the Assassins' physical condition is a little better than last season, it is also very good, with a regular season shooting rate of only 42.5%, which is still the performance of the bench lineup, and now that he is in the starting lineup, in the face of the main team, how efficient he can play, who dares to guarantee? ”

Bill Wharton shook his head and sighed: "The Pistons are very troublesome, and if you don't want Ulrich's loophole to be caught and beaten by the bulls, you can only fight big with a small one." If you lose this game and let the Bulls get the match point, with the strength of the Bulls, there is little hope of getting it back. ”

In the home team's locker room, after getting the starting lineup of the Pistons, Phil Jackson knew that his calculation was broken, and the Pistons would rather lose the height of the perimeter, rather lose the thickness of the bench lineup, and also won Ulrich as the starter.

He thought for a moment and said: "We also have an advantage in the third position, we still play the same as on the court, Pippen has to continue to exert force."

Scotty, you have a height advantage, it's up to you to stare at Joe Dumas and see how it goes. Defensively, you're going to have to keep an eye on Joe Dumas. ”

"I'll do it."

Pippen was in a very uplifted spirit.

Phil Jackson said to Jordan: "Michael, according to the Pistons' habits, it should still be an iron fist to control the ball, and you have to try to cut him off from the low post.

The two wings, you can put it down, the assassin will definitely not be in good shape to play the main force, let the iron fist pass to Jo Dumas, and Pippen will solve him. ”

Jordan nodded, Joe Dumas was not threatening with the ball, never had, far less threatening than with an iron fist.

He didn't think about the assassin at all, the current assassin was no longer in his eyes, and when it came to festivals, Iron Fist was his number one enemy.

Soon after, both starters came to the players' tunnel.

When the assassin and Jordan met, they both snorted coldly.

Zhou Quan smiled and teased: "It's just a ball, why do you become enemies?" Please, don't be so stingy, don't bring the contradictions on the field to the scene. ”

There are still a lot of security guards in the players' tunnel, the general managers of both teams, as well as reporters and photographers, and when they hear this, they all think it's funny, you and Larry Johnson and Oakley have all fought in the boxing ring, okay?

Jordan glared at Zhou Quan, bastard boy, I can't beat you, if I can beat you, trade you over, and beat you in the locker room every day.

"Shh

The visitors played, the Assassins went first, the Iron Fist finale, Jordan's two enemies in the Pistons appeared, and the boos from the United Center tonight came particularly violently.

Zhang Li smiled: "Assassins and Zhou Quan are really a bit alike, they are both the kind of people who are born with a smile on their faces. ”

Sun Zhenping smiled and didn't take the topic, because if it continued, it might make people think that Zhou Quan was a smiling tiger.

"Victory! Victory! Victory ......"

"We are resilient ......"

The shouts of the home fans drowned out the shouts of the 2,000 Pistons fans, but the sound of the Pistons was like grass.

At eight o'clock, the game began.

Jump ball, Bulls attack.

John Paxson advanced forward with the ball and the Assassin was in position, he gave the ball to Pippen on the left wing and then went to the bottom left corner.

At this time, Grant mentioned a high position and made a strategy.

This is a requirement of the triangle play, with John Paxson waiting for an opportunity in the bottom corner while pressing the opposing point guard to the baseline and weakening the opponent's ability to launch a counter-attacking fast break.

He's good at shooting and running in the open position, almost 100 percent of his open shots, and his three-point shooting is accurate, and his shooting percentage is even higher than Jordan's, of course, because most of his shots are open shots.

However, he was injured by Zhou Quan in the Battle of Auburn Hills last season, and like the Assassins, he was injured and injured later, and this season he was also recuperating like the Assassins, and he didn't play much, and now he is forced to play as a starter in the playoffs.

It's just that his running position is no longer good, and he can only wait for the opportunity to shoot in the open position.

Pippen catches the ball, hits big and small, and starts to single Joe Dumas.

"Look at Joe Dumas' defence. If he can't guard Pippen, he's in trouble. Zhang Li said a little nervously.

Jo Dumas has a small tonnage, only 86 kilograms, his lower strength is good, he is fast, his defense is characterized by positioning, plus confrontation, the defensive action is not big, it is not easy to foul, once the opponent does not break through, he can entangle the opponent.

Pippen's current tonnage is 102 kilograms, and the tonnage of the two sides is not in the same grade at all, so he knows that it will be difficult for him to defend Pippen in a defensive way that he is good at.

He was now standing on the inside side of Pippen's front, holding Pippen's right hand, trying to force his opponent to break through from the outside, and at the same time forcing the opponent to control the ball with his left hand, but he didn't go up to the counter, because he knew he couldn't resist Pippen.

Pippen was very agile, one turned and passed, controlled the ball with his left hand, and broke through from the outside.

Jo Dumas moved quickly, kept up with the tempo, and still blocked Pippen's right hand, not allowing his opponent to shoot easily, and not allowing his opponent to rush.

At this moment, Pippen felt very uncomfortable, because he did not take a step forward, was entangled, and failed to break through with the ball.

He felt that it was not as easy to beat Joe Dumas as it was to fight Ulrich, and if it was Ulrich, he would have rushed through in one step.

In the left blocking area, the Assassin saw Pippen break through and immediately came up to flank him.

"Back."

Jordan has moved from the right wing to the left, asking for the ball behind Pippen's back.

Zhou Quan grabbed the position and cut off Jordan and Pippen's passing angles.

Jordan immediately crossed over Zhou Quan, cut inside and continued to ask for the ball, the main purpose was actually to take Zhou Quan away, so that Zhou Quan would not go up and hit Pippen.

But Zhou Quan turned around and began to pinch Pippen from behind.

At this time, the assassin's flank attack also arrived, and the three of them formed a three-pinch on Pippen at the three-point line on the flank.

"Oops!"

When Jordan saw it, he hurriedly ran back to answer it.

When John Paxson in the bottom left corner saw it, he also hurriedly moved up, on the one hand to meet Pippen, and on the other hand to prepare to return to the defense.

By this time, Pippen had already closed the ball and held it in his arms.

Zhou Quan's hands were also on top of the basketball, and the two sides were at a stalemate.

"Drop!"

The referee came over and blew the whistle and awarded Pippen and Zhou Quan the ball.

Bill Wharton smiled: "It seems that it is not so easy for Pippen to beat Joe Dumas, there are advantages in fighting small with big and small, but there are also disadvantages, this is the two sides of things." ”

Williams nodded: "The speed is not as good as people, as long as Joe Dumas is stuck in the right position, plus a certain amount of confrontation ability, it is difficult for Pippen, who is a little slower, to break through." ”

On the sidelines, Phil Jackson rose from his seat.

But he sat down again, a ball didn't mean anything, he had to look at it again, give Pippen more chances, and not easily adjust the established tactics.

"Smack!"

The basketball was thrown, Pippen took the ball away with his height, and Jordan's direction, which he got was still the Bulls' possession.

Jordan received the ball on the right side of the arc, and immediately after landing on the ground, he shook Joe Dumas, and then got up a second time and made a three-point shot.

Jo Dumas didn't keep up with the rhythm and could only defend with his eyes.

"Bang!"

But the ball missed, it was short, and the basketball smashed the basket and rebounded, and was caught by Rodman.

The Pistons attacked, and the Assassin took the ball and pushed forward.

When it came to the front, he didn't give the ball to Zhou Quan or Jo Dumas, but stopped at the top of the arc.

"Is the Assassin in possession of the ball? Iron fist without a ball? ”

Many insiders at the scene and in front of the TV were a little puzzled when they saw this scene.

Seeing this, Phil Jackson immediately got up from his seat, first glanced at Chuck Daley's old rival, and then stared at the court.

Jo Dumas was active on the right flank, running towards the paint zone with Pippen.

Zhou Quan was active on the left flank, and he also ran to the paint area with Jordan as soon as possible.

This time, in addition to the two point guards at the top of the arc, the four interior lines on both sides, plus four outside lines, eight people, the paint area was immediately full.

Zhou Quan was engrossed in moving through the crowd, all the passages and gaps in his line of sight were clear, and even when he turned around to move, he included the space behind him in his sight, and the entire paint area could not escape his full-level panoramic vision.

He can always see the next gap to pass in advance, so he is also the most agile in his movements.

"Oops!"

Michael Jordan spun just three steps behind him before he was thrown off and collided with his teammate Williams.

Zhou Quan turned around a few times, drilled out of the paint area from the side of Jo Dumas and Pippen, and reached the right wing, and the entire right wing was empty at this time, absolutely no man's land.

"It's out!"

At the top of the arc, seeing Zhou Quan drill out of the paint area, the assassin suddenly moved to the right wing, and passed the ball past while getting rid of John Paxson.

Two steps outside the right waist position, Zhou Quan received the ball, turned around, and calmly jumped.

At this time, Jordan was already trapped in the crowd, and Pippen was the same, Grant as a defender, his position was in it, blocked by Rodman, and there was no chance to make up the defense, and within three meters of Zhou Quan, there was no defender of the Bulls.

"Brush!"

Shoot in the open space and hit a ball.

"Beautiful! This is a beautiful movement, and the Pistons play small and big, fully exploiting the small man's moving advantage. Bill Wharton said happily.

"There's a problem with the tactics."

Phil Jackson immediately made a timeout gesture, and the Bulls called a timeout after serving.

"Is that a timeout?"

Countless Bulls fans were a little confused, the game had just begun, and Phil Jackson's timeout made them feel a little bad.

(End of chapter)