Chapter 526: This Isn't a Shot, It's a Pass

The Western All-Stars huddled together, and Gentry was laying out the tactics.

At this point in the game, it seemed like it was the first time Gentry pulled out the tactical board...

"Um..."

After taking out the board, Gentry said, "Everyone here is a top player, and we have a 3-point lead, so let's stick to the simplest man-to-man defense!"

"But be sure to switch on screens. Once Millsap comes up to set a pick for the guards, Aldridge, you need to keep up with the opposing guard."

"Got it!"

The five players nodded. Gentry's tactical plan was simple but practical.

"And one more thing!"

As the timeout was about to end, Gentry added, "You must pay attention to Brother Dong's eyes and hand signals; they might gamble that he won't shoot tonight and give him some space on defense!"

"Brother Dong, are you really not planning to shoot tonight?" LeBron asked.

"Uh-huh~"

Wade Dong shrugged, "I've held off all night; with just over a minute left, why would I shoot now?"

"Then we understand!"

LeBron and the others nodded simultaneously.

Since Wade Dong said he wouldn't shoot tonight, he would only pass. Even if he pretended to shoot, it would be a fake shot meant for a pass, so everyone needed to keep an eye out!

....

The timeout ended.

The same lineup returned; neither Gentry nor Budenholzer made any adjustments to their players on the court.

The Eastern All-Stars were on offense.

Irving held the ball at a 45-degree angle while Anthony and Wade began moving. Millsap came up to set a screen for Irving.

After getting past Millsap, just as Irving was about to take a jump shot, Aldridge came over for help defense. Noticing Wade was open beyond the three-point line, Irving jumped and passed the ball to Wade.

"Swish!!!"

Wade raised his hand for a three-pointer; the basketball went through cleanly.

143:143!!!

The Eastern All-Stars tied the game!

"Defense!"

"Defense!"

"Defense!"

The audience was excited... This was exactly what they had been looking forward to in an All-Star game. The first three quarters were filled with star performances, but in the fourth quarter, they were going all out. In this critical moment, the score had been tied again.

Could it get any more exciting than this?

Curry brought the ball up court and passed it to Wade Dong, who then quickly handed it off to LeBron.

With a powerful drive!

LeBron scored over Millsap.

145:143!!!

With just 1 minute and 03 seconds remaining in the game.

The basketball slowly rolled towards half court until Irving picked it up, taking his time on offense.

Teague and Millsap both came out to set screens for Irving. After getting past his defender again, Irving once more passed the ball to Wade.

Wade lifted his wrist and shook off Curry! He moved sideways for a step before launching another three-pointer!

"Swish!!!"

The basketball went through again.

145:146!!!

The Eastern All-Stars took the lead!

"Good shot!"

Budenholzer waved his hands excitedly.

If the Eastern All-Stars could defeat the Western All-Stars, it would be quite a statement.

"Defense! Defense! Defense!"

The Eastern All-Stars quickly got back on defense and positioned themselves against the Western All-Stars' offense.

This year in the All-Star Game, no fan had high hopes for the Eastern team since the Western team boasted an incredibly luxurious roster with Wade Dong, LeBron James, Durant, Griffin, Curry, and Kobe. Yet at this critical moment in the game, the Eastern All-Stars had taken the lead.

You could say that the Western All-Stars let up during the third quarter; however, in this intense fourth quarter battle, the Eastern All-Stars had indeed taken control of the score. The standout performers were Irving and Wade—especially Wade—whose attitude felt like he was playing in an NBA Finals game.

With just 47 seconds left in regulation time, Aldridge glanced at Gentry and saw he had no intention of calling a timeout. He passed the ball to Curry instead.

The Eastern All-Stars switched to zone defense.

Curry couldn't find a comfortable shot opportunity and passed it to Wade Dong. After receiving the ball, Teague indeed gave Wade Dong some space on defense!

"Brother Dong, shoot!!!"

The entire audience stood up.

Teague's decision to give Wade Dong space was like a suicidal defense; Wade Dong could easily score if he wanted to.

However, with such a great opportunity, Wade Dong did not choose to shoot but instead returned the ball back to Curry. After receiving it again from Curry, Wade Dong drove into traffic drawing defenders before dishing it out to LeBron beyond the three-point line.

Noticing that Wade Dong had established position under the basket, LeBron confidently took his three-point shot.

"Swish!!!"

The basketball went through cleanly again.

148:146!!!

The Western All-Stars regained a two-point lead.

With just 31 seconds remaining in regulation time, Budenholzer called another timeout.

As players returned to their benches, Gentry said: "Let them have two points but defend against threes!"

In other words, they couldn't allow the Eastern All-Stars any three-point shots; even if they scored two points it would only tie up the game while giving the Western team one last chance at offense.

"If we go into overtime," Gentry reminded them, "Brother Dong you must take a shot!"

"Okay!"

Wade Dong nodded but added: "But there won't be overtime."

....

As play resumed,

the Eastern All-Stars indeed attempted a three-pointer; however their perimeter defense was too tight. As they approached 24 seconds on their shot clock winding down, Wade chose to drive for a dunk!

Aldridge stepped aside; committing a foul at this point would be unwise.

148:148!!!

The Eastern All-Stars tied up again with just 9 seconds left for West's offense time remaining.

They didn't call for timeout!

Wade Dong stayed at baseline as he received Aldridge's pass and dribbled straight up court!

"Hurry! Stop Wade from scoring!"

Budenholzer shouted from sidelines anxiously.

Even though Wade had not taken any shots all night long, no one dared gamble at this crucial moment. If they continued giving him space on defense, he could easily seal this game with one shot.

Wade Dong was surrounded by Wade, Irving and Butler as they pursued him relentlessly.

Wade Dong made several crossovers and spins dodging all three defenders before taking off from just beyond the three-point line.

With just 2.1 seconds left on the clock,

"Stop him!!!"

Budenholzer yelled frantically.

Wade and his defenders rushed forward from both sides trying to close in on him.

"Swoosh..."

The basketball slipped from Wade Dong's fingertips flying toward the basket.

"The angle is off..."

Budenholzer sighed with relief thinking that Wade Dong's shot had missed its mark.

Although it looked subpar,

Wade Dong left an opportunity for his team; it seemed this year's All-Star Game would head into overtime after all.

Just then... A figure appeared in mid-air.

"Oh no!"

Budenholzer panicked inside realizing: "This isn't a shot; it's a pass!!!"