Chapter 875
Chapter 875
In the second half, the two teams returned to the same starting line, not only the score returned to the same level, but also their state.
In the second quarter, the Jazz were indeed a little caught off guard by the Warriors' sudden counterattack. As a result, the team only reached 14 points in the entire second quarter, which was far below the normal level of the Jazz.
Therefore, in the third quarter, the two sides competed fiercely in all aspects, so that the viewing intensity of the game also increased several levels.
In fact, the two teams played equally fiercely in the first half, but unfortunately, due to the large fluctuations in the points difference of the game, the audience's perception was still not as direct as the fierce game in the second half.
Entering the second half, Malone and Hornacek still felt hot. The two played one inside and one outside, making the Warriors' defensive system completely passive.
On the other hand, for the Warriors, after the recovery in the second quarter, other players finally recovered their form. Led by Richmond, Finley, Horry, and Divac all made gains.
For a while, the two teams played inextricably in the third quarter, and it was almost difficult to have a chance to completely open the score. In this way, until the substitute stage, Malone played the entire third quarter until the end.
Malone's persistence was useful. Under his leadership, the Jazz led the Warriors by 80 points 76:4 at the end of the third quarter.
Especially at the last moment of the third quarter, Malone was first at the basket, facing Horry's defense, hit a hook, and then in defense, blocked Cassel's layup, using one attack and one defense to help the ball The team maintained its lead.
After entering the fourth quarter, in less than a minute, the Warriors tied the score through the scoring of Curry and Kukoc.
Seeing this situation, Coach Sloan immediately realized that it could not go on like this, so he quickly replaced Malone, who had only rested for more than a minute.
At this time, the only people in Sloan's hands who can score stably are Malone and Hornacek, but compared with Hornacek, Malone's stamina is undoubtedly stronger. Already panting on the bench, Sloan decided to play Malone.
What?Stockton you say?
Even though Stockton has 18 assists at this time, but he didn't even score 10 points. Compared with assists, his scoring threat is too small.
After Ma Long returned to the field, he did indeed play a role in pacifying the sea. Through a shot, and a good offensive opportunity for his teammates, he completed an assist, which brought the difference between the two teams back to 4 points again.
By the time the Warriors returned from the starting lineup, the point difference had reached 8 points, and they were about to run away by 10 points.
At the critical moment, Li Weisi scored a three-pointer to help the Warriors narrow the point difference to 5 points again.
After that, the Warriors' pursuit of points has become very difficult. No matter what the Warriors attack, the Jazz can always respond at critical moments. Even at the end of the game, even Stockton passed free throws and got 4 points.
In this case, as time passed, the game gradually came to an end.
Facing the Jazz who had widened the point difference by 5 points, Li Weisi chose a three-point shot for this offense. However, even if the basketball hoop was adjusted back to the standard height, it still could not help Li Weisi to make the shot, and the basketball hit the basket. The back edge of the basket was ejected.
After the rebound was fought by Malone, the Jazz immediately called a timeout.
After the timeout, the Warriors had a loophole in their defense. Hornacek seized the opportunity and directly chose a three-point shot. At the last moment of the game, under such a critical situation, Hornacek didn't even have time Pressed, and directly chose a three-point shot.
What kind of self-confidence is this!
Of course, Hornacek has such confidence. Tonight, before this night, he made three of three three-pointers and never missed a shot. He also didn't think he missed this shot.
Sure enough, Hornacek's self-confidence was rewarded with rich results. The basketball fell straight into the Warriors' basket and hit a three-pointer.
This is a murderous shot!
With this shot, the Warriors have actually lost hope of winning, facing an 8-point difference, and the time is less than 1 minute. In this case, even McGrady's possession can't reverse it.
Facts have proved that miracles are not so easy to be born. In the end, the game was fixed at 110:102. The Jazz narrowly beat the Warriors at home by 8 points and won their first victory in the playoffs.
In this game, Malone and Hornacek of the Jazz are undoubtedly the biggest contributors. Malone scored a game-high 33 points and 13 rebounds, Hornacek scored 30 points and 3 assists, and Stockton, With 11 points and 23 assists, it can be said that the Jazz Iron Triangle performed their duties and brought back all their strengths.
On the other hand, although Li Weisi scored only 28 points for the Warriors because of the excellent performance of his teammates in the second half, he also sent 14 assists.
Four of the other teammates also scored in double figures, bringing out the characteristics of the team, but in this case, they still lost.
The loss of the first game brought great shock to the Warriors. They held a discussion meeting overnight to find out the problem and find a solution. They also notified Rodman, who was still recovering from his injury, after confirming that he could play After that, he was immediately asked to leave for Salt Lake City to return to the team.
However, compared to the team, the Warriors fans were not as shocked as the Warriors internally. After all, in the eyes of the fans, this was just a loss. Although the Warriors are fifth, in terms of strength, Warriors fans have never felt that The Warriors will not be as strong as the Jazz.
Therefore, in their eyes, this is just a temporary loss, and what is lacking is just a little luck. As long as the Warriors adjust, the final victory must belong to the Warriors.
However, only two days later, on April 4, the second game between the Warriors and the Jazz.
Although Rodman came back in this game, he could only play as a substitute because of his injury.
In this case, Rodman's comeback failed to effectively limit Malone, allowing Malone to score 30 points and 9 rebounds again.
The Warriors also lost to the Jazz again 100:105.
After two games, the Warriors have fallen behind the Jazz by a score of 0:2. As long as they lose one more game, they will bid farewell to the playoffs.
How shameful is it for the defending champion to go out in the first round the following year?Of course, it can't be considered the most shameful. After all, there are still defending champions who can't even make the playoffs in the second year, but this is not acceptable to Li Weisi, nor is it acceptable to Warriors fans.
In this way, when the second game was lost again, the Warriors fans really panicked, and the pressure suddenly increased to an unprecedented level.
(End of this chapter)