He had leaped toward the left, but when he landed, he didn't turn around. Instead, he pushed off hard with both legs and sprang toward the right rear.
Only once he was in the air did he turn around.
By then, Danny was right in front of him, raising the ball to shoot.
At the very last instant before the ball left Danny's hand, Pang Bo's hand landed on it—barely in time.
He didn't press his arm downward. He kept it at the same height, making sure he wouldn't foul.
That way, his hand just barely brushed the upper rear part of the ball.
At the same time, Danny snapped his wrist and released the shot.
But as he flicked his wrist, he felt a slight force pressing the ball downward. It took him completely by surprise.
There was no time to think. The ball was already gone.
Because of that downward force, the ball had traveled barely two meters from Danny's fingertips before it plunged diagonally toward the floor like an eagle shot from the sky.
It hit the ground and bounced right up beside Little Danny's leg.
Little Danny had no time to think. He quickly scooped up the ball and tried to lift it for a shot at the basket.
But just as he got both hands on it—
Beeeep—
The buzzer blared in Danny's ears like the tolling of a bell from hell.
It rang in the minds of every Kings player, coach, and fan, too.
A ring of red lights had lit up around the backboard.
The head referee, Clyde Will, blew his whistle and spread his arms in a sweeping motion, signaling the end of the game.
119–118. The Raptors won by one point.
"Waaaaah!"
The whole arena erupted.
It was like pouring a