After conquering two cities in a row, the mentality of both sides has changed to varying degrees.
The probability of the Trail Blazers winning the championship predicted by the American media has soared from 80% before the start of the finals to 89%, an increase of 9 percentage points.
This is already a quite exaggerated probability, which means that almost all media and fans believe that this year's championship trophy will be accepted by the Trail Blazers.
On the Cavaliers side, everyone was confused, and they couldn't figure out why the finals ended like this.
Is there really such a big gap in strength between them and the Trail Blazers?
After all, they are also the Eastern Conference champions!
You don’t play like this!
But the fact is before their eyes, they are just not as good as the Trail Blazers. They have to admit or not accept the bitter consequences of falling behind 2-0.
On social media, there are generally voices that are optimistic about the Trail Blazers winning the championship. It seems that no one can stop them from getting the third championship.
As everyone knows, the real battle has just begun.
Sometimes, the real fatal threat does not come from inside the court, but from some black hands outside the court.
Don't forget, when James chose to return to his hometown of Cleveland, don't shout the slogan that he will definitely bring a championship to this city. It was so inspiring!
Once James leads the Cavaliers to successfully defeat the Trail Blazers, it not only means that he has fulfilled his original promise and won his first championship after returning to the Cavaliers, that is, Cleveland's first championship among the top ten leagues.
At the same time, it can also prevent the entire NBA from being "monopolized" by Wang Zelin and his Portland Trail Blazers, which is very consistent with the will of the league.
If we really can't stop the Trail Blazers from becoming a dynasty, we should let the Cavaliers and Trail Blazers play a few more games no matter what, until tiebreakers and tiebreakers. We can make a lot of money just from the broadcast fees and tickets.
.
It can be said that it kills three birds with one stone!
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Three days later, Game 3 of the Finals continued at Quicken Loans Arena.
Before the game started, both sides accepted interviews with the media.
As the boss, James first summarized the losses in the past two games, believing that he himself did not perform well and that Wang Zelin's performance was too good.
For the Trail Blazers, Wang Zelin and coach Terry Stotts attended the press conference, and their words and deeds were as full of confidence in victory as ever.
Compared with the previous two games, the Trail Blazers did not make any lineup adjustments. On the contrary, the Cavaliers moved power forward TT to the rotation to strengthen the thickness of the bench.
The person taking the power forward position tonight is none other than James himself!
This is quite surprising to people. You must know that James has completed a weight-loss plan after returning to Cleveland, and his body is not as strong as when he was with the Heat. Let him play power forward, it seems... it is not impossible.
Firstly, James already has experience in facing up to the inside; secondly, Trail Blazers power forward Aldridge is not a strong inside lineman, he is more flexible and weighs a few kilograms less than James.
Therefore, the Cavaliers put out a lineup tonight with Irving Jr., Shumpert, and James Cousins.
This lineup was unexpected, but after it came out, it was unanimously recognized by the four kings of TNT.
The Cavaliers' defense is already bad enough, and they still have two slow inside players in the penalty area. In the first two games, they were frequently beaten into fast break counterattacks by the Trail Blazers, which is enough to prove that their twin towers don't work.
Therefore, confrontation is the only way out, and this has been verified in the Western Conference Finals. This is the only way to compete with the Trail Blazers.
Although there are injuries involved, since the Warriors can compete with the Trail Blazers in a tiebreaker, they are certainly capable.
If James plays the fourth position, he can be called the ultimate version of Draymond Green. All aspects have been strengthened to the extreme. He can not only cooperate with his teammates to double-team Wang Zelin, but also prevent opponents from playing fast breaks.
Although he may suffer a little disadvantage due to his height, his protection of rebounds is not bad.
In fact, not only the four kings of TNT, but also Wang Zhelin couldn't help but give Director Lu a thumbs up when he saw the Cavaliers' lineup.
As expected of you, tactical genius Lu!
Soon, it was time for the opening ceremony before the game.
Before James came on the stage, he came to the technical stage and made a surprising but very familiar move - throwing magnesium powder!
Didn't he agree that he would never do this move again until he won a championship for Cleveland?
However, when James finished his signature move of throwing magnesium powder, the atmosphere in Quicken Loans Arena suddenly reached climax.
The little emperor~rules the world!
Well, it seems that James is going to work hard tonight. Before the game even starts, he is already working hard to improve the morale of the home team.
Also, if we lose again in this game, we will fall behind 0-3, and even if I come, I will not be able to save the Cavaliers.
Amid the cheers of the fans, James took the initiative to go to the center circle and play a jump ball with Wang Zelin.
"This game is very crucial for both sides. We still have to see Zelin's performance and see if the Trail Blazers can continue to restrict James."
At the commentary table on the court stage, Zhang Lili had already begun to explain.
"Oh, it's actually James who jumps the ball with the King. It's quite novel. It must be the first time we see them jumping the ball together."
Yu Jia on the side suddenly shouted, and Zhang Lili was so frightened that he hurriedly looked at the screen. When he saw it, it was really amazing!
James and Wang Zelin jump ball?
Is this an arrangement from the Cavaliers coach?
The two stared at each other with confusion written on their faces.
At this time, countless fans on the other side of the ocean waiting in front of the TV were instantly excited by this scene.
"Snapped!"
A jump ball in the middle circle, and as expected, the basketball was rejected by Wang Zelin and sent to the Trail Blazers half, officially kicking off the game.
As soon as he landed, Wang Zelin was about to rush to the basket to grab one, but found that Cousins was already squatting in the penalty area, waiting for him.
Looking at James again, he didn't even jump. The referee threw the ball up and he directly participated in the defense.
Good guy, you really don’t give me any chance!
Wang Zelin started a pick-and-roll with Lillard, then opened the left side of the free throw line, and saw that Cousins was still under the basket. It was really desperate.
Lillard saw the right moment and sent a through ball. Wang Zelin took a mid-range shot and hit it steadily, opening the scoring.
2:0.
The Cavaliers attacked, and James used Cousins' screen to pass Aldridge to the basket.
Wang Zelin instantly shrank in, and James made a three-step layup. After taking the third step, he avoided the block, found a shot opportunity, and after confronting Wang Zelin, he sent the ball into the basket.
"This ball..." Yu Jia hesitated and looked at his partner Zhang Lili.
"Ahem, there is indeed a suspicion of walking, but since the referee didn't call it, it can only be a good shot." Zhang Lili shrugged, looking like he was used to it.
Quicken Loans Arena.
"This guy is obviously walking."
Looking at Knight No. 23 who retreated quickly, Barton muttered in displeasure.
"Okay, this is someone else's home field, so taking advantage is to be expected. Just play our own game."