The Shanxi Loongs made waves in Dongguan, south China's Guangdong Province, sweeping the series 3-0 against the 11-time champions with a 124-106 victory in Game 3 of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) playoff quarterfinals.
Dominant Duo Leads the Charge
Hamidou Diallo unleashed a dominant performance with 25 points and 12 rebounds in under 25 minutes, hitting nine of his 16 field‑goal attempts to spark Shanxi’s offense. Off the bench, Trey Kell III poured in 18 points, while five other Loongs chipped in double‑digit scoring to keep the pressure on Guangdong’s defense.
Guangdong's Struggle to Respond
Despite Troy Gillenwater erupting for a game‑high 36 points off the bench, the Southern Tigers couldn't find consistent support. Starter Trey Burk led the lineup with 15 points and eight assists but needed 19 shots to get there. The rest of the starters combined for just 21 points, unable to stem Shanxi’s momentum.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: Guangdong jumped to a quick 5‑0 lead, but Shanxi answered with a 20‑10 run powered by threes from Jia Mingru, Zhang Ning and Diallo, closing the frame up 31‑28.
Second Quarter: The Tigers found their range in the paint and beyond, outscoring Shanxi 40‑35 to grab a 68‑66 halftime edge.
Third Quarter: Defensive adjustments paid off for Shanxi as Kell III and Ge Zhaobao connected from downtown. A 25‑13 surge and a five‑miss skid by Guangdong extended the Loongs’ lead to 103‑87.
Fourth Quarter: Xing Zhiqiang drilled both of his triples, pushing the gap to 20 points at 118‑98. Guangdong never recovered, sealing their first playoff sweep in three years and tying their worst postseason exit.
Looking Ahead
With the win, Shanxi advances to the semifinals, where they’ll face either the Beijing Ducks or the Beikong Royal Fighters. The Loongs’ balanced attack and defensive intensity make them a team to watch as they chase their first CBA title.
Reference(s):
Shanxi sweep past Guangdong to reach CBA postseason semifinals
cgtn.com
