Westbrook brought the ball back to the frontcourt and, facing the Knicks' high double-team, chose to pass out once again.
Alexander on the wing then caught the ball and drove again.
This time, he went toward the baseline, avoiding Chen Xi's help defense before powering through Joe's defense all the way to near the low post.
Alexander executed a Powerful Smash, lowered his center of gravity to absorb the contact, then gathered the ball and raised his elbow in a Shot Fake.
Joe's defensive experience showed. He was not easily baited into jumping, merely stepping forward and reaching out to provide plenty of interference.
But then, SGA naturally leaned into him~~
He deliberately used his shooting hand to seek out the arm Joe had extended to contest the shot and create contact. He even sacrificed his body balance, leaving his form looking extremely awkward in midair, before barely getting the ball off after ensuring the contact had occurred.
With such an unconventional shooting form, it was obviously difficult to send the ball smoothly into the basket.
But the referee actually gave him the whistle.
The sideline official decisively blew the whistle, sending Alexander back to the free-throw line.
Joe looked utterly confused.
"Wait, that was a foul on me?"
He spread his hands and stepped forward, trying to communicate with the referee, but received only a succinct reply: "Hand-checking foul."
Speechless, Joe spread his hands again. He put his hands on his hips beside Chen Xi and began complaining.
"I didn't even jump. If that's a foul on me, then who can guard him? What kind of cylinder is that? A Rockets one?"
"Hahaha, just be careful to pull your hand back in time next time. His move is a double-edged sword. If he can't draw contact in the air,