3-1 ahead, there had only been 11 comebacks in playoff history, and never in the Finals.

In other words, the Pelicans had basically secured the championship.

The outside world was no longer discussing whether the Pelicans could win the championship, but when and by what score they would win it.

Among these discussions, 4-1 was considered the most likely score.

The reasons for supporting this score were also sufficient.

On the one hand, the Pelicans could beat the Cavaliers to death even if they played head-to-head, and the Cavaliers had no advantage in the series.

On the other hand, the next game was in New Orleans, and the home-court Pelicans had the advantage in morale and form.

If Davis hadn't been absent, the Cavaliers would have struggled to win a single game and would have been swept like the Warriors.

The Rockets were really going to be the biggest winner and the number one loser.

Amid the fans' expectations, the fifth game of the Finals kicked off at the New Orleans Arena.

This game was highly anticipated.

Not only the local Pelicans fans, but also fans all over the world, especially in China, were waiting to see the moment when the Pelicans lifted the trophy tonight.

Even staff came to the scene, ready to crown the Pelicans.

The game started quickly, and the Cavaliers still played head-to-head with the Pelicans.

The Big Three were in good shape tonight, and on the edge of elimination, their potential was unleashed.

The two teams fought fiercely until the last quarter.

In the last quarter, the aftereffects of Lue's overuse of James appeared, and James' efficiency clearly began to decline.

This kind of head-to-head battle depends on the offensive efficiency of both sides.

As soon as the Cavaliers' efficiency decreased, the Pelicans, led by Tang Tian, ​​widened the point difference to double digits.

With more than half a quarter left in the game, many fans had already stood up, ready to celebrate the team's first championship in history.

Just then, the situation on the court suddenly changed.

The referee continuously called soft fouls on the Pelicans' defense, and even on the offensive end, Tang Tian's goal was called back for a teammate's moving screen.

Led by James, the Cavaliers took advantage of the situation to launch a counterattack and tie the score.

The arena was filled with boos, and shouts of "black whistle" didn't stop.

But this didn't change the referee's standards, and in the end, the Pelicans lost the fifth game in a 5-on-8 upset by the Cavaliers.

James and Irving combined for 82 points, and the two made a total of 40 free throws.

At the post-match press conference, even the always gentle Stevens couldn't help but question.

"They can't call it like that, my players played very hard, they should have won this game, they shouldn't lose the game in this way!"

Stevens was a gentleman coach after all, and his questioning was also very gentle. In comparison, Tang Tian was much more direct.

"I think the league should investigate the referees of this game. They either took money or gambled on the game. Their free throws are almost double ours. They called back many of my goals. This is the dirtiest game I have ever experienced."

The two's remarks also received a lot of support from fans after the game.

"This is definitely the most bizarre game I've ever seen. James and Irving have more free throws combined than the entire Pelicans team!"

"When goals can be called back, you know how ugly this game is!"

"The league will do anything for ratings and money!"

……

Fans' opinions and questions about the league reached a climax on social media.

But this didn't work. The league's final response was to give Stevens and Tang Tian a fine of 25,000 U.S. dollars each, on the grounds that they publicly questioned the referees in the media.

Against this background, the Pelicans went to the away game to start the sixth game of the Finals against the Cavaliers.

Suffering unfair treatment, the entire Pelicans team was also holding their breath, determined to win the trophy on the road to prove their strength.

The refereeing in this game was very similar to the last moments of the previous game.

The referee's tendency didn't change because of the Pelicans or the outside world's public opinion. The Pelicans were still playing 5-on-8.

But the Pelicans were already mentally prepared. Led by Tang Tian and Davis, they relied on their strong strength to take a 60-50 lead over the Cavaliers by 10 points in the first half.

So what if the referee helps? We can still beat you!

The Pelicans were really holding their breath to play this game.

In the second half, they continued to play steadily, widening the point difference to 15 points five minutes into the second half.

Even playing 5-on-8, they still wanted to win!

It was at this moment that a scene that changed the game situation occurred.

Davis drew an offensive foul on James on the defensive end, but the referee called it a defensive foul.

Before Davis could react, James directly stepped over him.

This action immediately angered Davis.

Green's kick in the Western Conference Finals let him know that blindly giving in would only hurt himself.

After he got up, he directly kicked James in the butt from behind.

James was kicked out, and landed in a rather embarrassing flat-sand-falling-wild-goose style.

He got up and was about to get angry, but fortunately Love and Smith were standing next to him, and the two worked together to pull him away.

The referee quickly gave Davis a Level 2 flagrant foul and ejected him directly.

Davis' departure changed the situation on the court. The Cavaliers took turns attacking the Pelicans' inside line, narrowing the score little by little.

And the Pelicans also began to play a little anxiously, relying on Tang Tian alone to support them.

In the end, the Cavaliers once again successfully reversed the situation, winning another game at home and tying the score to 3-3.

Fans endlessly discussed James stepping over Davis and Davis kicking James after the game.

Their questioning of the league also reached a new height.

"Why is James stepping over Davis okay? Is this a superstar privilege?"

"What bullshit superstar privilege! Look at how many goals Tang had called back, the league just wants to manipulate the game!"

"What's the point of playing this kind of game? Just announce that the Cavaliers have won the championship, isn't that okay? It's really too much!"

……

Barkley was a smart man.

"Anthony Davis is too young. LeBron set a trap for him and he jumped into it without hesitation. This directly buried the game."

No matter how the outside world commented, it was a foregone conclusion that the Cavaliers had tied the score.

If they win Game 7, they will become the first team in NBA history to successfully come back from a 3-1 deficit in the Finals.

"Let us become the greatest team in history!"

The Cavaliers and James fans began to look forward to the championship.

James' first championship after returning to the Cavaliers, the first championship in Cleveland's four major leagues, these were enough to excite them.

If you add the first team to come back from a 3-1 deficit in the Finals, it's not just excitement, it's also inspirational, making them excited.