Slam Dunk: My Study Abroad Career in Northern Hunan

Chapter 693 The playoffs begin!

In the second quarter of the game between the Lakers and Jazz, Kobe relied on his outstanding personal ability to take the lead for the Lakers.

And his goal also set the tone for the second quarter.

Although the Jazz are an excellent team, they do not have the kind of star players in their rotation who can withstand Kobe.

Although Kobe is just a substitute player in the Lakers, by being able to enter the All-Stars, he already has the top abilities in the league.

Judging players like Kobe.

There is no way to use his status in the team and his age as a reference standard and basis.

Halfway through the second quarter, the Lakers, led by Kobe Bryant, had already regained their advantage.

On the sidelines of the court, Sakuragi Hanamichi watched Kobe in the court leading the team to regain the score with sudden or unexpected shots, and his eyes couldn't help but become confused.

In Kobe, Sakuragi Hanamichi saw a familiar figure. The desire for victory, the fighting spirit when playing on the court, and the determination when attacking all made Sakuragi Hanamichi feel extremely familiar.

"There are 60 billion people in the world, and those who can gather here are the strongest and most talented players."

But for the Lakers, their current lineup, even if O'Neal is restricted, will not affect their offensive firepower.

The joy of victory does not come with the Jazz, but it is just a regular season game. The win or loss of this game does not affect their current ranking in the Western Conference.

The Lakers also anticipated the Jazz's substitution. Like the Jazz, O'Neal also returned to the court.

"It's not that easy to reach the NBA league."

After watching the game between the Lakers and Jazz, Wu Dao rushed back to Minnesota without stopping. Sakuragi Hanamichi also returned to Oak Hill College, but Takako, who didn't seem to be under too much academic pressure during this period, returned to Minnesota with Budo.

For a while, the Jazz and Lakers were also fighting back and forth.

But looking at his thoughtful expression when he left, Wu Dao knew that the favor sold to O'Neal should not have been wasted.

Although the Lakers' lineup has a fierce offensive, the only point in perimeter defense that can be used is Kobe Bryant.

The Jazz served from the backcourt, and Stockton quickly dribbled the ball into the frontcourt. Under the strict defense of the Lakers, he had to force a three-point shot. The moment the game time returned to zero, the basketball also hit the backboard.

The Lakers' bench players poured into the court cheering, crowding the heroes of the victory in the middle. Staples Center was also filled with cheers from fans at this moment.

"Although I don't want to admit it, it's a pity that the person in your mind is not a player of the same level as the person in front of you."

After hearing Sakuragi Hanamichi's question, Budao also showed a slight smile on his face and shook his head:
"The style of play is similar, but they are different players."

The game time was only six seconds, and the Lakers adopted a full-court press.

If you want to defend a player like O'Neal, it's impossible to rely on one-on-one. The Jazz invested a lot of defensive energy in O'Neal.

The Lakers won this game with difficulty.

"Brother Martial Arts, that No. 8, do you feel that his playing style is somewhat familiar?"

As Kobe Bryant's iron-blooded layup entered the net, the point difference between the two teams also came to four points.

"Basketball is a brutal sport."

From this experience of watching the battle live, Budo didn't know how much nutrition Sakuragi Hanamichi could absorb.

The match between the two teams continues on the court.

The players on both sides put more pressure on their opponents on the defensive end. Under such circumstances, although O'Neal returned to the game, his performance was still greatly restricted.

"The No. 8 you mentioned, he plays the No. 198 position. He is 370cm tall and his bounce is probably over cm."

All regular seasons have ended, and the teams that can participate in the playoffs have been announced one after another.

The two teams went back and forth, and the game time passed quickly in such a fierce confrontation.

Against this background, the already outstanding Lakers' perimeter players are firing on all cylinders!

When Wu Dao said these words, there was a hint of reminiscence in his eyes. It would be difficult for him and his former partners to play on the same court.

It's just that the person currently fighting in the stadium is stronger than the person he is familiar with.

As the top players of both teams returned to the field, the game gradually entered a fierce stage.

“Sometimes not everything can be solved through hard work.”

The three players Nick Van Exel, Kobe Bryant, and Eddie Jones cooperated with each other tacitly, and the basketball rotated smoothly on the outside. With O'Neal greatly restricted, the Lakers' offense is still smooth and unhindered, frequently scoring easily under the Jazz's defense.

The Timberwolves, which reached the playoffs for the first time, also received the expectations and blessings of all fans in the state.

"Well, what should I say? Do you think that man looks like Rukawa Kaede?"

102: 98.

Sakuragi Hanamichi gently patted Budo's calf with his hand, his eyes were slightly dull, and he asked softly.

"Everyone on this field is a genius among geniuses."

After the game, Budo briefly greeted the Lakers players and then left the arena with his girlfriend and Sakuragi Hanamichi.

As the score between the two teams gradually widened, the Jazz couldn't hold it any longer and took advantage of a foul to call a timeout. While adjusting the team's offensive and defensive tactics, they also put the Jazz's Malone back on the court.

The Jazz also identified this weakness of the Lakers, relying on Malone's high pick-and-roll to develop the offensive abilities of Howard Eisley and Antoine Kyle.

The Lakers have four All-Star players on the court at this time.

Neither Eddie Jones nor Nick Van Exel are known for their defensive skills. Attacking is greater than defense, which is a common trait of these two players.

All eight teams in the Eastern Conference have entered the playoffs. In addition to the No. 8 Bulls, there are seven teams including the Pacers, Heat, Hornets, Hawks, Cavaliers, Knicks, and Nets.

Before the start of the playoffs, the Timberwolves are still conducting video viewing and tactical drills. Among the eight teams in the entire Eastern Conference, only the Bulls became the imaginary enemy of the Timberwolves, conducting targeted tactical rehearsals and pre-war planning.

As for the teams qualifying in the Western Conference, they are the Timberwolves, Jazz, SuperSonics, Lakers, Suns, Spurs, Trail Blazers, and Rockets.

Among them, the Jazz, SuperSonics and Lakers have exactly the same record. The Timberwolves, which ranks first, have only won three more games than the three teams behind them.

The competition in the West is much stronger than that in the East. Nowadays, the top players in the league are basically concentrated in the West.

Before the finals, the games between these teams in the Western Conference naturally attracted more attention.

Because these teams are all strong teams, you know that the game in the Western Conference will definitely be a battle between dragons and tigers. The best schedule for the first round of the playoffs has been released. The Timberwolves, number one in the Western Conference, will prepare for the first game against the Rockets on April 4.

Even if it is a game between the first in the Western Conference and the last in the Western Conference, it still attracts the attention of countless fans.

In the NBA league, no playoff team can be underestimated, and it is not that the Black Eight miracle has never happened.

What's more, today's Houston Rockets are so star-studded that any Rockets team with Olajuwon and Barkley would dare to underestimate them.

Before the start of the regular season at the beginning of the season, this Rockets was optimistic by many fans and considered one of the favorites to win the championship.

Due to injuries, the Rockets' record in the regular season was not very good. But Houston fans still have expectations for the Rockets to win the championship. Even when facing the Timberwolves, who are number one in the Western Conference, the fans have never despaired.

First round of the series, Target Center Arena.

The Timberwolves host the Houston Rockets.

"Wow—"

The cheers of the fans filled the entire arena. The Timberwolves players were still in the player lounge backstage, and the cheers of the fans on site could already be heard by everyone.

The Timberwolves entered the playoffs for the first time. This group of Minnesota fans were extremely excited, and their fanaticism made the media reporters at the scene secretly frightened.

"The opponent in the first round is the Rockets. Although their record is not very good, we absolutely cannot take it lightly."

"Although Olajuao and Barkley have had great ups and downs this season, these players are true superstars."

"No one knows what kind of performance they will perform in the playoffs, so we must use 100% of our strength to destroy them."

"Sweep the opponent 3:0. This is what I ask of you."

Coach Philip was also a little excited today. Before the game, he gathered the players together and mobilized the players before the game.

"Sweep the opponent!"

Deafening shouts rang out in the Timberwolves' lounge, and then the door to the Timberwolves' lounge opened and the players walked out of the lounge one after another.

At the arena, the light gradually dimmed.

Amid DJ's high-pitched shouts, the doors of the player tunnels on both sides of the stadium opened one after another. Immediately afterwards, amid the cheers of the fans, players from the Rockets and Timberwolves walked out of the tunnel one after another.

And as Lin Da's players appeared in the fans' sight, the audience's shouts were thunderous.

"It's really a little different from the regular season."

Wuhan University and the players stood in the middle of the court together, feeling the necessary cheers from the ball around them, and thought to themselves.

The voices of the fans can also be infected by the players, and Martial Arts can feel the fanatical emotions of the fans.

Looking back towards the stands, Wu Dao saw many fans holding Timberwolves support signs. When they noticed their sight, the fans shouted even louder. The game had not even started yet, but some fans were already blushing. , roaring the name of martial arts.

"Martial arts, bring the championship to Minnesota!"

"You must lead the Timberwolves to win all opponents! I will always support you!!"

Wu Dao's ears were filled with the shouts of the fans. His originally calm heart began to beat faster. Suddenly, Wu Dao felt that his hands were numb. He slowly raised his hands and lowered his head to examine his hands. , martial arts only makes my blood boil.

"It's different. It's different from all the games I've played before."

Wu Dao breathed a heavy sigh of relief and calmed down.

But after several efforts, it was found that it had no effect. The cheers of the fans seemed to be some special catalyst, making it impossible for martial arts to calm down.

If you can't calm down, just don't calm down.

As the buzzer sounded in the stadium, all the Timberwolves players also gathered around Wu Dao.

Garnett took the lead and roared: "Sweep the opponent!"

The players put their arms around each other's shoulders and let out a low growl.

As the players from both sides entered the court and took up their positions, the shouts from the stands finally became quieter. When the referee entered the center circle with the basketball, the originally noisy stadium became completely quiet. The fans in the stands watched the stadium with bated breath, waiting for the start of the game.

火箭方面，首发队员分别是中锋奥拉朱旺，大前锋凯文-威利斯（213cm/100kg，84年首轮11号秀），2/3摇摆的克莱德-德雷克斯勒（201cm/95kg，83年首轮14号秀）；，2/3摇摆的马特-布拉德（208cm/98kg）和控球后卫马特-马龙尼（191/87kg）

Starbuck, another Rockets player, did not start and was sitting on the bench.

"Isn't Barkley's previous injury healed? Is he still recovering?"

"Or is this just the Rockets' tactics against us?"

"Let Barkley lead the bench? Spread the difference during the rotation?"

Matt Brad walked to and stood in front of Wu Dao. He was a white player, now 31 years old. He was at the end of his prime. After he came to Wu Dao, he leaned down without saying a word and waited. The start of the game.

Wu Dao then retracted his gaze and returned his attention to the court.

Under the attention of the fans, the referee came to the midline, signaled the players on both sides to get ready, then blew the whistle, and the basketball was thrown high into the air.

"One goal first!!!"

The person in charge of the jump ball for the Timberwolves is Garnett.

The moment the basketball entered the air, Garnett let out a loud roar, then jumped up and moved towards the basketball.

Ola's main net seemed to be a little old and frail. His explosive power was not as strong as the young Garnett. The basketball was hit by Garnett first and flew towards the Timberwolves backcourt.

When Garnett picked up the basketball, a figure quickly passed by Matt Bullard and rushed down the frontcourt. When Marbury got the ball, he had no intention of dribbling. The basketball instantly turned into a red light and flew towards the front court.

"Martial Arts!!"

The moment the basketball fell into his hands, deafening cheers erupted from the stands.

Said martial arts was stunned when Matt Bullard was chasing him, and a double transformation immediately made the chasing Matt Bullard stand on the spot unable to move.

And Wu Dao's figure also flew past Brad's side and headed towards the basket.

"Bang--"

Entering the basket, Wu Dao ignored Olajuwon who was chasing him from his side, jumped up directly, dunked with both hands, and poured the basketball into the net.

It only took four seconds to start, and the Timberwolves had already used martial arts to open up the situation and score strongly.