In an electrifying display of teamwork and skill, the Shanxi Loongs kicked off the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) Playoffs with a commanding 42-point win over the Guangdong Southern Tigers in Taiyuan, north China’s Shanxi Province, on Monday.
The Loongs showcased their depth as seven players hit double-digit points—four coming from the bench—to establish a well-rounded attack. Brandon Goodwin led the charge, shooting 9-for-13 from the field to post a team-high 25 points, while Trey Kell III, a recent addition to the squad, added 18 points and five assists.
Guangdong struggled to find its rhythm, with only three players reaching double figures. Xu Jie, the sole starter to notch double digits, managed just 14 points from 13 field goals. Combined with 20 turnovers and missed opportunities from 45 of 74 shots, Guangdong found it difficult to keep pace.
The first quarter was a nail-biter with a 12-12 tie, but Goodwin and Kell III soon ignited a scoring surge that propelled Shanxi into a commanding lead. In the second quarter, contributions from Liu Chuanxing helped widen the margin to a 10-point advantage by halftime at 49-39. The third quarter saw Shanxi further extend their lead with strong inside play from Hamidou Diallo and Ibrahima Fall Faye, culminating in a 91-67 gap before the final stretch.
With a final score of 123-81, Shanxi’s robust performance sets a high bar for the remainder of the series. Game 2 is scheduled to continue in Taiyuan on Wednesday, and fans are eager to see if the Loongs can sustain their momentum through the playoffs.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
