diskusbooks Chapter 222 Nets Fans: Fair and Just Referees!
Chapter 222 Nets Fans: Fair and Just Referees!
Swish!
Wang Xiucheng's first three-pointer of the game goes in!
Wang Xiucheng nodded in satisfaction as he backed away.
Brunson reached out and pressed down.
He wanted to take it slow.
He felt something was wrong.
Neither he nor the Knicks seemed to be in a good position.
The atmosphere of this match was off from the very beginning.
The Nets still have a 100% field goal percentage.
Taking a deep breath, Brunson reached out to catch the ball, managing to receive it just before the referee warned him of an impending violation.
After advancing the ball, Brunson did not choose to take a shot himself this time, but instead passed the ball to Randle.
The latter scored two points using his physicality.
This relieved Brunson.
They finally scored.
Wang Xiucheng personally went to the baseline, passed the ball to Benci, and then leisurely made his way to the front line.
Suddenly braking and turning around, Wang Xiucheng received the ball from Benxi and used Benxi's body as a screen to enter the paint.
Brunson followed closely behind Wang Xiucheng.
Wang Xiucheng circled around several times, and as he seemed to be passing by the free-throw line, he suddenly threw the ball out with one hand.
Wang Xiucheng didn't even jump with both feet; he just slightly raised one foot before releasing the basketball.
The basketball slammed against the rim with a loud thud and then bounced off.
An arm reached out and slammed the basketball in.
It's Durant.
Brunson didn't look at Durant who had scored, but instead looked at Wang Xiucheng.
The way Wang Xiucheng suddenly attacked was exactly the same as his previous scoring methods.
It's just that Wang Xiucheng didn't go in.
But Brunson was somewhat frightened.
He knew that Wang Xiucheng really liked to learn other players' moves.
This "sneak attack" is indeed one of his attack methods.
This is a shooting style that suits his height and speed very well.
Furthermore, in order to conceal his movements and avoid attracting the attention of defenders, Brunson underwent extensive practice to achieve a technique where he could suddenly launch a floater while dribbling and still maintain a decent shooting percentage.
It seems that this move has caught Wang Xiucheng's eye again.
Brunson didn't know whether he should cry or laugh.
14:6.
Possession changes, Knicks attack.
Brunson passed the ball to Randall again, hoping to secure two more points.
Unfortunately, this time the ball was blocked by Ben West, who was always focused on helping defend the paint.
Durant got the basketball and passed it directly to Wang Xiucheng, who had already started to accelerate.
Brunson had already turned and started running the moment Randall was blocked.
This allowed him to cross the center line faster than Wang Xiucheng.
After receiving the ball, Wang Xiucheng immediately turned around to avoid Brunson's attempt to steal the ball.
But Brunson quickly turned around and went back behind Wang Xiucheng.
Wang Xiucheng dribbled the ball between his legs and pulled it back, then flicked the basketball out with one hand.
Durant appeared beyond the three-point line at the far end.
Durant received the ball, took an open shot, and made it!
17:6.
The Nets are now leading by double digits.
Thibodeau gritted his teeth, glanced at the time, and gave up the idea of calling another timeout.
He doesn't think there's anything wrong with his team's offense.
The problem lies with the Nets; their shooting percentage can't stay this high forever.
In the next round, Brunson finally hit a mid-range shot.
And it was done by "stealing" the ball.
Regardless, let's narrow the gap to within 10 points first.
Brunson turned around and saw Wang Xiucheng staring at him with wide eyes.
The feeling of being watched at all times sent chills down Brunson's spine.
Furthermore, Brunson also saw a smile in Wang Xiucheng's eyes.
He seemed quite pleased with his actions!
Wang Xiucheng bypassed Brunson and reached the baseline.
Durant passed the ball to Wang Xiucheng.
Benxi ran ahead, blocking Brunson from facing Wang Xiucheng.
Benxi stood still beyond the three-point line, while Wang Xiucheng circled around him to the other side and immediately took the shot.
Brunson, who was prepared, moved ahead of time and arrived just in time. So Brunson, who is only 188 cm tall, unusually jumped to block Wang Xiucheng, who had already collected the ball.
However, Wang Xiucheng suddenly took a step to the side before throwing the basketball.
Swish!
Three-pointer goes in.
beep!
The referee's whistle blew at the same time.
Brunson has touched his wrist!
As soon as Brunson landed, he covered his head and shouted at the referee, "He traveled! He definitely traveled!"
The referee seemed not to hear, and just looked at Thibodeau on the sidelines, as if asking, "Do you want to challenge?"
Seeing the direction the referee was looking, Brunson immediately looked at his coach and drew circles on his head with his hand, demanding a challenge.
He was absolutely certain that Wang Xiucheng had committed a violation first.
Thibodeau glanced back at the teaching assistant who was still checking the tablet.
The angle wasn't good, and the teaching assistant didn't give a clear response that it was acceptable to challenge.
But Brunson was almost in front of Thibodeau by then.
And time was of the essence; when the referee gave Wang Xiucheng the free throw, there was no chance to challenge.
So when he saw the referee walking toward the baseline, Thibodeau immediately started wagging his finger vigorously and yelling, "Challenge! I fucking challenge!"
This is a three-pointer. If Wang Xiucheng makes it, the score will immediately become 21-6, which Thibodeau cannot accept under any circumstances.
The referee paused the game and went to the technical table to review the replay.
Wang Xiucheng turned around and returned to the bench with Durant and other teammates.
Taking the towel and placing it over his head, Durant suddenly asked in a low voice, "Did you touch the ball?"
Durant knew the significance of those 4 points, but he didn't have the patience to wait for the referee's call.
The large screen on the dome then began to replay Wang Xiucheng's shot.
The point of contention here is clear: whether Wang Xiucheng collected the ball before shooting.
If Wang Xiucheng combines the ball, the chance for a 3+1 will be lost.
However, if Wang Xiucheng doesn't get the ball, not only will he have a chance to score 4 points, but Brunson will also commit a foul.
Durant was relieved to hear Wang Xiucheng's affirmative answer.
The large screen played the footage back and forth for about two minutes, but there was no clear angle to accurately show whether Wang Xiucheng had actually hit the ball.
There was a camera angle that could have captured a very clear shot, but Brunson's arm was blocking it.
The referees reviewed the footage for more than three minutes. Finally, the three referees stood together and talked for a long time before one of them turned on the microphone and spoke into it.
"The existing camera positions cannot accurately show whether the home team's number 12 player had the ball, so after discussion by the referee team, the original decision is upheld."
The original ruling is upheld, meaning Wang Xiucheng still has a chance to score 4 points, and Brunson will have to commit another foul.
Upon hearing the ruling, the fans at Barek Center were very satisfied and generously applauded the fair and just referee.
Thibodeau, on the other hand, had a bitter expression on his face, as if he wished he could eat the teaching assistant in charge of reviewing the replays.
Brunson could only shrug and smile wryly.
Wang Xiucheng went to the free-throw line, received the basketball from the referee, twirled it in his hand, then brought the ball to his mouth and muttered, "Go Argentina!"
The basketball was immediately thrown by Wang Xiucheng.
Swish.
Add a penalty, then go in!