抢在比赛结束前

摘要：梅森瞥了一眼记分牌，目前他所在的开拓者队以31比29的比分领先，离比赛结束还剩7秒，但技师队仍有可能在这短短的时间里扳回比分。此刻，技师队的明星球员埃德温穿过中场，将球送入篮筐，比赛结束的哨声随之响起。两队打成平局，进入加时赛阶段。加时赛开始，两队都表现出些许

Buzzer Beater

By Rich Wallace

Art by Jamie Coe

梅森瞥了一眼记分牌，目前他所在的开拓者队以31比29的比分领先，离比赛结束还剩7秒，但技师队仍有可能在这短短的时间里扳回比分。此刻，技师队的明星球员埃德温穿过中场，将球送入篮筐，比赛结束的哨声随之响起。两队打成平局，进入加时赛阶段。加时赛开始，两队都表现出些许紧张，直到对手埃德温率先投球得到4分，梅森的队友乔尔在比赛还剩28秒时投中一个三分球，将分差缩小到1分。梅森紧紧盯着埃德温，终于抢在前面截住了一个球，还有11秒！梅森冲向篮筐。可当他到达三分线时被埃德温和另一名技师队球员挡住了，只好向左运球到角落。梅森想要跳起投篮，但埃德温就在他上方腾空而起。千钧一发之际，他看到队友乔尔，他正在篮筐下，周围无人，而梅森刚好有足够的时间把球传给他。开拓者队能在最后时刻逆风翻盘吗？

Mason glanced at the scoreboard. Seven seconds remained. His team, the Blazers, held a 31–29 lead, but there was plenty of time for the Engineers to tie the game or win it.

“Defense!” shouted the Blazers from the bench.

Mason shadowed Edwin, the Engineers’ star player, as Edwin dribbled quickly up the court. Don’t foul him, Mason told himself. Just play tight defense.

Edwin crossed midcourt, then sped toward the basket.

The spectators counted down the final seconds of the game: “4, 3, 2 . . .”

Edwin stopped short, leaped high, and shot the ball as Mason stumbled backward.

Beeeeeeep!The buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the game. Mason turned and watched as the ball slipped cleanly through the net.

“Did that shot beat the buzzer?” Mason asked aloud. As long as the ball was in the air before the buzzer sounded, the shot would count. The cheering and jumping from the Engineers told him that it had. The score was tied.

“Overtime,” said Mason’s teammate Joel. “Let’s keep up the energy and win this game.”

Mason stood quietly as the Blazers huddled up near the bench. His mind was elsewhere as the coach went over strategy for the overtime period.

I should never have let Edwin get that shot off, Mason thought. He faked me out.

Edwin wore a slight smile as the players walked back onto the court. He nodded at Mason. “Here we go again,” Edwin whispered. Mason looked away.

I’ve had enough of this guy, Mason thought, slowly shaking his head.Edwin makes me look like a bad player.

The Blazers and Engineers had split two close games this season, with each team winning once. Now, the championship was on the line in this final playoff game. Edwin had scored more than half of the Engineers’points. Guarding him was Mason’s responsibility.

“Breathe,” Joel said, placing a hand on Mason’s shoulder. “Just relax and play smart.”

Mason exhaled. Three more minutes. Then I’ll never have to cover Edwin again.

Both teams showed some jitters as the overtime unfolded, missing shots and making poor passes. But Edwin hit a jump shot, and he soon added a layup. The Engineers suddenly had a four-point lead as the clock ticked away.

Joel hit a three-point shot to cut the lead to one point with only 28 seconds left. The Engineers could take their time now. They didn’t even have to score again.

Mason stuck closely to Edwin as he dribbled, hoping to swat the ball loose. Edwin passed to a teammate, then sprinted toward the corner of the court. Mason stayed with him.

“Get that ball!” shouted one of the Blazers. But the Engineers kept making crisp passes.

Edwin yelled for the ball. Mason stepped in front of him and intercepted the pass.

“Eleven seconds!” came a shout from the bench. Mason raced toward the basket.

Edwin and another Engineer converged on Mason as he reached the three-point arc. Mason shifted left and then dribbled toward the corner.

Make this shot, Mason told himself.Be the hero.

“5, 4, 3 . . .”

Mason rose to shoot, but Edwin soared above him, ready to block the shot. Mason saw a better path. Joel was open under the basket. Mason had just enough time to bounce the ball toward him.

Joel grabbed the pass, turned, and bounced the ball gently off the backboard and into the basket.

The buzzer sounded. Joel’s shot had beat it. The Blazers were the champions!

Mason raised both arms in triumph as Joel rushed toward him. They high-fived. “Great pass!” Joel said.

Edwin was on his knees, staring at the basket. Mason stretched out his hand and helped Edwin to his feet.

“You’re a pretty good player,” Edwin mumbled.

“I think we’re both pretty good,” Mason replied. “See you next season, I hope.”