Chapter Two: The Block at the Buzzer

Haiyue restored Gu Beichen, the league’s most valuable domestic star. Gu dunked over Lu and stared down at him. “A reserve in a new jersey is still a reserve.” With two minutes left, Harbor City trailed by seven. Zhou finally passed to the rolling Lu. Instead of forcing a shot, Lu bounced the ball back. Zhou scored through contact. Then Lu forced a travel and tipped an offensive rebound to a shooter for three. The score was tied at ninety-eight. Haiyue held the ball with twenty-four seconds left. Everyone knew Gu would take the final shot. Coach Chen drew a double-team, but Lu spoke. “Don’t trap. Han will slip the screen. They want me away from the rim.” Zhou frowned. “You’re sure?” “I practiced that set with them more than four hundred times.”