In an electrifying display of teamwork and grit, the Guangdong Southern Tigers triumphed over the Shanghai Sharks 115-92 in Game 3 of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) first-round playoffs. Played at home in Dongguan, southern China’s Guangdong Province, the win not only sealed the series 2-1 but also ensured that Guangdong continues its undefeated record in reaching the quarterfinals.
The game started with Shanghai seizing an early advantage, building a 21-13 lead in the first quarter. However, Guangdong quickly answered back as players like Xu Jie, Hu Mingxuan, and Darius Bazley ignited an 11-0 run to take control, ending the quarter ahead at 37-26. Xu Jie’s leadership was evident as he not only scored but also delivered 11 assists, setting the stage for a dominant performance.
The second quarter saw Guangdong further stretching their lead with aggressive drives and sharp shooting from downtown. Even as Shanghai’s Kenneth Lofton Jr. and Huang Rongyi pushed hard to narrow the gap, a buzzer-beating jumper by Ren extended Guangdong’s advantage to a comfortable 19-point margin by halftime, with the score at 70-53.
The pace turned up in the third quarter, marked by increased physicality. A controversial moment came when Ren was ejected after throwing a punch on Wang Zhelin from behind, and the latter later had to leave the game with an injury. Without Wang, Shanghai’s hopes for a comeback dwindled, and Guangdong maintained their strong performance into the final quarter.
The victory not only propelled the Southern Tigers into the quarterfinals against the Shanxi Loongs but also reinforced their reputation for consistent postseason success. As anticipation builds for the next round of the CBA playoffs, fans and sports enthusiasts alike are eager to see if Guangdong can continue their historic run.
Reference(s):
Guangdong eliminate Shanghai to maintain CBA postseason record
cgtn.com
