The Shanghai Sharks have put themselves on the brink of the CBA Finals after a commanding performance on the road, defeating the Beijing Ducks 81-66 in Game 3 of the semifinals on Wednesday night. The victory gives Shanghai a pivotal 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series.
The Sharks' success was driven by a balanced assault at both ends of the court, led by the dynamic duo of Brandon Goodwin and Hassan Whiteside. Goodwin emerged as the offensive catalyst, scoring a game-high 28 points and demonstrating exceptional efficiency by shooting 9-for-13 on two-point attempts. Meanwhile, Whiteside provided a defensive masterclass, anchoring the paint with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks.
In contrast, the Beijing Ducks struggled to find their offensive rhythm. While guard Eugene German managed 22 points, his efficiency suffered, shooting only 8-for-20 from the field. Veteran forward Zhai Xiaochuan was the only other player for Beijing to reach double digits, finishing the night with 10 points.
Shanghai established their dominance early, closing the first quarter with a 26-15 lead. They maintained this momentum through the second quarter, utilizing a potent offense and a stifling interior defense to stretch the lead to 48-29 by halftime.
Although Beijing showed signs of improvement in the fourth quarter with increased shooting efficiency, the gap created in the first half proved insurmountable. Shanghai's defensive pressure remained relentless, neutralizing Beijing's playmaking and controlling the boards throughout the contest.
Despite the home loss, Beijing head coach Xu Limin expressed confidence in his team's ability to fight back. "The performance of our bench unit proved the problem is not our strength, but our players' desire to fight for victory," Xu noted during the post-game press conference.
The series now moves to a critical juncture. Game 4 is scheduled for tomorrow, May 22, in Beijing, where the Shanghai Sharks will have the opportunity to clinch their spot in the CBA Finals.
Reference(s):
Shanghai Sharks crush Beijing Ducks to take 2-1 lead in CBA semifinals
cgtn.com
