novelhk Chapter 94: A dunk over Claxton, the unexpected first-half score.
Chapter 94: A dunk over Claxton, the unexpected first-half score.
With the first half almost over, Harden had already been beaten by Wang Xiucheng several times.
Harden knew Wang Xiucheng was fast, but when he faced Wang Xiucheng in person, he realized that Wang Xiucheng's speed was absurd.
Not only is the starting speed incredibly fast, but even the steering, sudden stops, and acceleration are unbelievably fast.
Harden now understands why so many people are easily outmaneuvered by Wang Xiucheng.
Just then, Shen Jing, the center, suddenly ran out and stood next to Harden.
Wang Xiucheng accelerated and drove straight into the paint on Shen Jing's right side, blocking Harden completely.
Claxton, who had no choice but to come out with Shen Jing, switched to guarding Wang Xiucheng.
Claxton, nicknamed "Zhao Si" by Chinese fans, is a modern center. He is thin but tall with long arms and fast movement.
Claxton can switch to defend multiple positions, keep up with most guards, and use his height and wingspan to disrupt them and even block their shots.
Therefore, Harden was not in a hurry after he discovered that Wang Xiucheng had switched to guard Claxton.
His job was to stick with Shen Jing and prevent her from getting back inside to receive the ball.
But what Wang Xiucheng did next left Harden speechless.
Wang Xiucheng used a fake move to create space, then lowered his body and used Rose's reverse jump step to shake off Claxton, who had just returned to position.
Then Wang Xiucheng jumped to the basket with the ball in his arms, about to throw it out.
Claxton was already more than a meter away from Wang Xiucheng, but he still stared with wide eyes and gritted his teeth. He only had time to take one step before he suddenly jumped up.
Claxton, who is 211 cm tall and has a wingspan of 220 cm, flew out at an angle, almost completely covering the space above Wang Xiucheng's head.
As long as Wang Xiucheng dares to throw the basketball out, Claxton will definitely be able to block it.
This is his confidence in his height and wingspan, which is the foundation of his standing in the league.
But the next moment, Wang Xiucheng, holding the basketball, did not throw it.
Wang Xiucheng also jumped up at an angle.
The difference is that Claxton jumps from left to right, while Wang Xiucheng jumps from right to left.
The two players flew like two javelins, their paths crossing under the basket.
Claxton looked puzzled.
Wang Xiucheng actually jumped up.
This was a very foolish thing to do, in Claxton's opinion.
Because the two people will pass each other, and the moment they cross paths is when the distance between them is the shortest.
The distance was short enough for him to place his hand directly on the basketball.
And that's exactly what he did. When Wang Xiucheng held the basketball above his head with one hand, Claxton's large hand, with immense force, slammed down on Wang Xiucheng's head.
But the next moment, Claxton saw Wang Xiucheng's hand, which was holding the ball, spread out behind him, just in time to avoid his large hand.
Then, Claxton slapped Wang Xiucheng on the head.
Bang!
Almost simultaneously, Claxton heard the sound of the rim exploding behind his head!
Claxton landed on one foot and took two steps back before regaining his balance.
Wang Xiucheng wasn't so lucky. He lost his balance in mid-air, and if he hadn't grabbed the rim with one hand, he would have been knocked to the ground.
Even so, Wang Xiucheng landed on his back and fell directly onto the floor.
beep!
The three referees blew their whistles almost simultaneously.
Claxton fouled!
Shen Jing, Lao Gordon, and the others rushed over to inquire about Wang Xiucheng's situation. When they saw Wang Xiucheng extend his hands and take the initiative to hold the person who came over, they were relieved.
Old Gordon glared fiercely at Claxton under the basket.
The three referees huddled together, seemingly debating which foul to call.
Wang Xiucheng got up and helped Shen Jing move around a bit. He felt that there was nothing wrong with him, except that his head hurt a little from being hit by Zhao Si.
I should have known better than to get a haircut; maybe I could have absorbed some of the damage.
Half a minute later, after a brief discussion, the referee made his ruling: Claxton committed a Flagrant Foul 1.
Claxton held his head in astonishment, unable to believe the ruling.
Nets head coach Steve Nash was communicating with the referees on the sidelines using both hands and feet.
However, the home fans seemed dissatisfied with the decision, booing loudly and believing it was a flagrant foul 2, and that Claxton should have been sent off immediately.
This is the Rockets' home arena, Windfield Center. Their own player was shot in the head by the opposing team, yet he was still allowed to remain on the court. To the home fans, this was practically an insult to them.
So the boos and insults were directed at Claxton, and even three referees were involved.
Wang Xiucheng went to the free throw line, took the basketball, thought for a moment, and then used Shen Jing's nagging method.
but……
With a loud thud, the basketball slammed through the rim and went out of bounds.
Wang Xiucheng took a deep breath, shook his head, took the basketball from the referee, and took his second free throw.
Bang!
It didn't go in again.
Harden, standing behind them, was completely dumbfounded.
How can a guard who can shoot three-pointers have such a bad free throw shot?
On the contrary, Old Gordon, Shen Jing, and the others were used to it; wasn't this normal?
With 25 seconds remaining, the Rockets had two free throws and possession, giving them one last full offensive possession.
Shen Jing stood outside the sideline, ready to serve, while Harden closely guarded Wang Xiucheng, preventing him from receiving the ball.
Wang Xiucheng gave Harden a sharp shove with one hand, then stepped forward to receive the ball.
Shen Jing quickly returned to the court and stood behind Harden.
Wang Xiucheng didn't move immediately, but stood still, holding the basketball behind his back with one hand, wasting time.
Nets players inside the three-point line tried to double-team Wang Xiucheng several times, but Wang Xiucheng simply flicked the ball out with one hand, forcing them all back inside the three-point line.
Claxton, who was following Shen Jing, didn't dare to come over. He just stood in front of Shen Jing and grabbed Shen Jing's clothes with one hand.
Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, only 4 seconds remained.
Shen Jing, who had been like a wooden doll, suddenly moved.
He took a step to the right, and Wang Xiucheng simultaneously started his charge to the right.
Harden slammed into Shin Kyung's shoulder with a thud, then yelled angrily at the referee.
The referee ignored him because Wang Xiucheng had already reached the vicinity of the three-point line.
Claxton, who had been keeping an eye on Wang Xiucheng, flew over again.
This time he wasn't afraid of being fooled, because there was no time for Wang Xiucheng to make his next move.
Wang Xiucheng could only submit his own ballot.
In fact, Wang Xiucheng cast his own vote.
As Wang Xiucheng caught the ball, he took a step to the right, instantly widening the distance between himself and Claxton. Then he jumped, and the basketball flew out like a cannonball.
One-stage shooting technique!
Swish!
The ball goes in!
In the first half, it lasted for less than 2 seconds.
Harden received the ball on the baseline, dribbled once, and then shot it from the backcourt.
The basketball flew directly out of bounds.
beep!
The first half ended with the referee's whistle.
The score was one that absolutely no one would have predicted before the match.
The Rockets led the Nets by a whopping 15 points, 67 to 52!