Chapter 494: Chapter 149: I Want to Escape...

Jordan looked across...

"What does this mean?"

Jordan saw Zhang Hao holding onto O’Neal!

"Let this rookie defend O’Neal, unable to hold position, forced to foul? But I haven’t even crossed half court yet!"

Jordan was baffled over there, but at least he had some reasonable guesses.

However, having already crossed half court and personally witnessing Zhang Hao running back to directly hug O’Neal, Reggie Miller and Juwan Howard’s eyes were wide open!

Eastern Team’s attack continues, sideline rethrows, Pippen passes the ball to Jordan again, Jordan just received the ball, the timer just started ticking...

"Beep."

The referee blew the whistle a little slower this time, but still sounded it.

This time, Jordan saw it, right after catching the ball, Zhang Hao heavily hugged O’Neal, committing a direct foul!

Western Team has four fouls, Eastern Team’s fouled player automatically gets free throw opportunity!

"What is this operation?"

The players on and off the court of Eastern Team were bewildered, and the fans at the scene were all confused, while Zen Master frowned tightly.

"No way... They’re trying to use O’Neal’s free throws to interrupt our attack?" Zen Master felt his basketball philosophy was challenged!

Besides Western Team’s players and coaches who already know the situation, only the tactically sharp Zen Master realized something was amiss. Everyone else, including the referee who threw the ball to a bewildered O’Neal, was clueless.

O’Neal’s first free throw was a complete violation, too short, didn’t even touch the rim!

Luckily, the second free throw went in, 125 to 122, Eastern Team expanded their lead to 3 points.

It had some effect, Zhang Hao prepared to foul harder next time, simply slapping O’Neal’s arm.

As for why it was him, he initially refused to hack-a-Shaq, but everyone in the team said, "You came up with the idea, you do it first."

Then, he went ahead bravely...

O’Neal’s second free throw went in, Western Team attacks.

Created a great top arc three-point opportunity for Zhang Hao, unfortunately, Zhang Hao missed.

As soon as he shot it, Zhang Hao knew it was off, so he immediately charged towards the inner line, O’Neal protected the rebound well, landed seeing Zhang Hao rushing in, immediately passed the ball to Pippen to avoid a steal.

But right after passing, O’Neal saw Zhang Hao not stopping, continuing to rush towards him, a bad feeling emerged in his heart...

"Smack!" "Ah..."

Zhang Hao heavily hugged O’Neal, and took the chance to slap O’Neal’s right arm!

O’Neal couldn’t help but shout, angrily pushing Zhang Hao away, at this moment David Robinson and Barkley immediately came over to hold O’Neal.

The pushed away Zhang Hao obediently raised his hands, just when he hugged O’Neal and slapped his arm, the referee already blew the whistle.

O’Neal fiercely broke free from Barkley’s hug, now he surely knew what happened?

The opponents intentionally sent him to the free throw line!

Despising him! Thinking his free throws are poor, intentionally targeting this weakness!

After pushing, and being grabbed tightly by Barkley’s iron arm, O’Neal cooled down, gritting his teeth, glaring at the hand-raising Zhang Hao as he walked to the front court.

Free throw then it is!

His arm hurt a bit...

While O’Neal was taking free throws, Jordan kept staring at Zhang Hao, he now obviously understood the strategy of the Western Team, but this tactic, when did Del Harris come up with it? Why hadn’t he heard it before?

Regarding everyone in the Western Team, apart from Kidd and Zhang Hao, these two new All-Stars, Jordan knew everyone else well, and he had also got some understanding of Kidd, this little junior, who apparently intends to build a "Gentleman" persona.

After analysis, Jordan concluded—this must have been devised by this kid, can’t tell, huh, worthy of a Gentleman!

Can he at least do a little of what a Gentleman should do?

But there was no choice, the other side fouled, O’Neal had to take the free throw.

Under the hopeful gaze of Jordan, because of the confrontation, because of the arm being slapped, because of psychological and emotional disturbance, O’Neal couldn’t even maintain the near forty-eight percent free throw percentage he had in this season’s regular games, missed both free throws! Made 9 out of 17!

Barkley seized the defensive rebound again, continued to counterattack!

Zhang Hao was the first player to sprint to attract defense, main attack points were Barkley and David Robinson, secondary attack points were Drexler, Zhang Hao was the fourth choice.

Regarding this, Eastern Team made a clear judgment, their defense against Barkley and David Robinson was stern in this retreat, the furious O’Neal’s retreat defense also effectively disrupted Drexler’s movements to receive the ball.

Zhang Hao promptly judged the situation, decisively pulling apart towards the top arc direction again.

Sure enough, the opponents blocked the more threatening and stronger three players, just defended his cut and mid-range shot, leaving him open for the three-pointer!

Barkley passed under the basket, Zhang Hao stepped in to receive the ball from the top arc, stepped beyond the three-point line, spun and pushed the shot over the arc for a three-pointer...

This time, Zhang Hao did not miss the opportunity again, the three-pointer went in! Raised his personal score to 21 points, while helping the Western Team tie the score at 125-125!

Just as the fans were about to cheer for the Western Team because of this three-pointer falling into the basket, they heard a shrill shout: "Don’t touch me..."

Turning to look, just as Zhang Hao was throwing a three-pointer, he was now running after O’Neal!

Staring at Zhang Hao’s shot, Jordan didn’t care whether it went in or not, but he saw that Zhang Hao, after shooting, regardless of whether it went in, directly chased after O’Neal.