In a surprising turn of events, the Guangzhou Loong Lions stumbled in their Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) season opener, suffering a hefty 109-80 defeat against the Qingdao Eagles on the road.
The absence of star guard Guo Ailun, a recent addition to Guangzhou’s roster, was evident as the Loong Lions struggled offensively. Guo sat out the game, leaving Guangzhou without one of their key offensive weapons. Only three players reached double digits for the visitors, highlighting the team’s offensive woes.
Qingdao capitalized on Guangzhou’s shortcomings, seizing momentum early in the game. The Eagles established a double-digit lead in the first quarter and maintained control throughout the match. Their performance was marked by fluid ball movement and strong teamwork, with five players scoring in double figures.
Wang Ruizhe led the Eagles with an impressive 26 points, showcasing his scoring prowess. Additionally, Qingdao effectively utilized Yang Hansen’s dominance in the paint and capitalized on their perimeter shooting, draining 13 three-pointers. This offensive versatility proved too challenging for Guangzhou’s defense.
Despite a valiant effort from Davion Warren, who contributed 22 points for the Loong Lions, the team struggled to find support from the rest of the roster. The lack of depth and offensive spark, particularly in Guo’s absence, was evident as Guangzhou succumbed to a 29-point defeat.
The Loong Lions will need to regroup and address these issues as they look ahead to the rest of the season. Meanwhile, the Eagles’ commanding performance sets a promising tone for their campaign in the CBA.
Reference(s):
Guangzhou stumble in CBA season opener with huge loss to Qingdao
cgtn.com
