The Shanxi Loongs delivered a commanding performance in Game 1 of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) Playoffs quarterfinals, defeating the Guangdong Southern Tigers 123-81 in their home arena in Taiyuan, north China’s Shanxi Province. The victory underscored Shanxi’s balanced roster strength, with seven players scoring double-digit points.
Key Performances and Game Highlights
Shanxi’s Brandon Goodwin led the charge with a team-high 25 points, shooting 9-for-13 from the field. Trey Kell III, a late-season addition, added 18 points and five assists. The bench unit contributed significantly, with four reserves scoring in double figures. In contrast, Guangdong struggled offensively, with only three players reaching double digits and no one surpassing 20 points.
The game slipped away from Guangdong in the second quarter as Shanxi extended a 69-52 halftime lead. By the third quarter, Shanxi’s dominance in the paint, led by Hamidou Diallo and Ibrahima Fall Faye, widened the gap to 91-67, sealing the outcome early. Guangdong’s 45 missed shots and 20 turnovers compounded their challenges.
Next Steps
Game 2 of the best-of-three series will take place in Taiyuan on Wednesday. Shanxi aims to secure a semifinal berth, while Guangdong faces an uphill battle to avoid elimination.
