Chapter 168: We lost the home advantage and must get it back on the road!
The Heat's morale was high because they won a home game against the Cavaliers.

This is equivalent to the Cavaliers losing their home-court advantage.

If the Heat can return to their home court and defend two more home games, the Heat will be considered a success this season.

The Cavaliers are under a lot of pressure.

When the team arrived in Miami, media reporters swarmed in.

Scott still meant not to accept the interview and would wait until the press conference.

But Wang Yan was carefree and still accepted the interview.

Seeing that Wang Yan was in a good mood, the reporters asked questions more boldly.

"Mr. Wang Yan, the Cavaliers won one and lost one at home, and the game process was very embarrassing. So, are you confident in the upcoming two away games?"

Most players will make some bold statements when hearing this question.

But Wang Yan smiled faintly and said modestly: "We did not play well in our two home games. The Heat deserve respect, but as the uncrowned champions, the Cavaliers will not be affected much by home or away games!"

The reporter was not satisfied with Wang Yan's calm response and asked again, "If the Cavaliers lose two away games, they will be forced to a match point by the Heat. How will you deal with such a crisis?"

Wang Yan was actually a little angry, but he would not be fooled.

As long as he gets angry, the media is happy.

The next day's news headlines would definitely be "Wang Yan is furious!", "There is internal strife among the Knights, Wang Yan is furious!"

Wang Yan forced a smile and slowly replied: "As long as the series is not over, we will fight to the end! Don't worry, we Cavaliers will not give up!"

Seeing Wang Yan being so neither humble nor arrogant, the reporters became a little anxious.

"Some fans say that the Cavaliers should focus on Irving because your playing style has been thoroughly studied. Do you think this is correct?"

The reporter thought, if he didn’t get angry now, he would be out of options.

No matter which team's star player hears this, he will be furious.

But Wang Yan actually burst into laughter.

"I think what you said makes sense. It seems like you know a lot about basketball! At a certain time in the game, we used Irving as the core of the offense. You're right!"

The reporters looked at each other in surprise. They had never expected that Wang Yan had such a broad mind and could answer such questions with a smile.

Wang Yan found the reporters' helpless expressions funny, so he shrugged and said, "Okay, I'm going to go to training. If you have any questions, ask them at the press conference!"

After saying that, Wang Yan waved his hand and went straight to training.

Reporters found that setting a trap for Wang Yan was useless, as Wang Yan would not jump into it at all, and would even lead reporters around the trap.

Although Wang Yan appeared calm on the surface, the atmosphere within the team was very tense.

The Heat will definitely be in high spirits when they return to their home court. If they fail to win Game 3, the Cavaliers will basically say goodbye to the finals.

. . . .

Two days later, Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals began.

The Heat's starting lineup changed. Spoelstra put Battier in the starting lineup, replacing Haslem.

The purpose of doing this is obvious, which is to increase three-pointers and defense. As for offense, it can be left to others.

In addition, Battier's open three-pointers will also be helpful to the overall offense as they can create space.

The Cavaliers' starting five remained unchanged.

After a jump ball in the center circle, Wang Yan easily passed the ball to Butler.

Wang Yan's opening show was not blocked, 2:0!

Heat offense.

Wade broke through with the ball, made a drastic change of direction, and actually broke in from the left.

Those who are familiar with Wade know that he usually breaks through from the right.

The exact opposite of Harden.

But today, Wade actually took the left road, which he was not very good at, and at an extremely fast speed!

Butler had been studying Wade's game videos, subconsciously guarding against his right-wing breakthrough. Unexpectedly, Wade did not take the usual approach today.

This shows that the Heat are well prepared from top to bottom, even Wade's usual moves have been changed.

Butler was shocked and chased after him, but it was too late.

Wade rushed to the edge of the penalty area and took advantage of the moment when Wang Yan was making up for the defense to throw the ball over. Bosh caught the ball and dunked it, bang!

The Heat actually responded to the Cavaliers with an alley-oop!
The Cavaliers have played so many games, but this is the first time that they were given an alley-oop after the opening show!
2:2
The Heat home fans were so excited that they stood up and cheered, and the roar was deafening!
This atmosphere is truly a devil's home court, putting tremendous pressure on the entire Cavaliers team.

Wang Yan gestured to his teammates, asking them not to panic.

The Cavaliers have been doing too well in the past two years, and the players have become arrogant.

So once faced with a huge challenge, the players are a little confused.

This is also what Wang Yan is worried about.

If we encounter this kind of challenge in the finals and cannot adjust in time, we will be doomed.

Fortunately, this is the Eastern Conference Finals, and Wang Yan still has the opportunity to change his teammates.

Cavaliers attack.

Irving dribbled the ball to the frontcourt, and Wang Yan and Jamison made an interlaced cooperation.

Wang Yan attracted the opponent's defensive attention, creating an opportunity for Jamison, and Irving immediately passed the ball.

Jamison made a mid-range shot!
The tactics were played smoothly, but unfortunately, Jamison's touch was not good.

Boom!
Bounce out of the basket.

It seems that the terrifying atmosphere on the road has made the Cavaliers players somewhat flustered.

Wang Yan jumped into the air and passed the ball to Butler before Bosh could.

Butler is still very tough, taking a long two-point shot, whoosh!
Wade was very upset. He didn't defend Butler but went to grab the rebound.

However, looking back, Gasol faked a shot, whoosh!
I returned two points.

After returning to his home court, Gasol attacked more resolutely instead of focusing on assists.

I guess it was Spoelstra who gave him instructions in person.

Gasol's main role in the Lakers is indeed to provide support.

But this is the Heat, and Spoelstra feels he can develop his offensive potential instead of rigidly following suit.

Wang Yan was secretly shocked. Spoelstra was indeed a very capable coach. The tactics he taught the Heat were varied and hard to guard against.

4:4 tie!
The two sides fought inextricably.

After more than 9 minutes of the first quarter, the two sides were tied again!

Not only are the two sides evenly matched on the court, but the odds for both sides are also very close at the betting companies.

For those gamblers, it is really difficult to choose.

Both sides gradually replaced their substitutes.

After returning to their home court, the Heat substitutes were very excited and aggressive, and the Cavaliers substitutes couldn't stand it.

Especially Ray Allen and Mike Miller, who started raining three-pointers.

Middleton and Thomas also tried to respond with three-pointers, but their shooting percentages were not high and could not match up.

The score gap was widened again.

After the first quarter, the score was 32:27, with the Heat leading by 5 points.

The situation is very unfavorable for the Cavaliers.

The Heat were in great form back at home, with an overall shooting percentage of 45% today, while the Cavaliers were only around 39%.

If this trend continues, the Cavaliers will be in great danger.

(End of this chapter)