So, as he staggered, his right hand reached for the rim.
Zhang Wenlong wasn't about to give him that chance.
He planted his left foot and leaped high, swatting straight at the ball. But Zhang Fei had released it a split second earlier, so Zhang Wenlong's hand missed the ball and came down hard on Zhang Fei's forearm instead.
The blow sent Zhang Fei flying diagonally out of bounds, but it did nothing to alter the ball's flight.
The ball soared straight up, gently kissed the backboard, then struck the front of the rim. It bounced there several times before reluctantly rolling into the basket.
At the same time, the referee's shrill whistle rang out.
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The referee then signaled that Zhang Wenlong had committed a shooting foul.
Zhang Fei had made the basket and would get one free throw!
The moment the ball went in, the Huali players erupted with excitement, cheering wildly.
After landing and sliding backward, Zhang Fei heard the crowd roar and knew the shot had gone in. He couldn't even worry about his fall; he immediately rolled backward.
He sprang right back to his feet, clenched his right fist, and yelled, "Yeah!"
Zhang Wenlong, meanwhile, looked a little dejected.
Giving up the basket was bad enough, but he'd also given Zhang Fei a chance for a three-point play. That was a terrible trade.
Zhang Fei stepped to the free-throw line, but the Huali players weren't worried about his shot.
He might have looked big and burly, and he was incredibly strong.
He didn't seem like the kind of player who was good at shooting. In fact, he really wasn't.
In games, he made only 28 percent of his two-point shots.
It was painful to watch. Strangely enough, though, his free-throw percentage was excellent. During team