Chapter Five: They Came to Test a Miracle

The Thunder erased eleven points in seven minutes. With twenty-four seconds left, the score was tied at 107. [Game-winner window activated: score the go-ahead basket within the final twenty-four seconds.] Lu screened high for Zhou. As expected, two defenders trapped Zhou while the opposing center shadowed Lu’s roll. Instead of diving to the rim, Lu stopped at the foul line and received the pass. Everyone expected the jumper he had made against North City. Three defenders collapsed. In midair, Lu threw the ball behind his head toward the corner. Zhou had already circled the baseline. He caught it alone and released with eight-tenths of a second left. Ball and red light arrived together. Thunder 110, Prefecture Plains 107.