In a high-stakes showdown for the CBA Finals, the defending champions, the Guangsha Lions, displayed remarkable resilience to keep their title dreams alive. Facing a must-win scenario to avoid a sweep, the Lions secured a commanding 101-93 victory over the Shanghai Sharks on their home court.
The momentum shifted early as Hu Jinqiu set a dominant tone for the Lions. The reigning regular-season MVP demonstrated exceptional precision, going a perfect six-of-six from the floor in the first quarter. His relentless drive helped Guangsha establish an early lead, closing the opening period at 28-18.
However, the Shanghai Sharks proved why they are formidable contenders. In the second quarter, the Sharks mounted a spirited rally. Defensive grit was on full display when Wang Zhelin blocked a shot from Joshua Carlton, helping Shanghai chip away at the lead. A crucial three-pointer by Liu Cheng eventually brought the game to a deadlock, with both teams heading into halftime tied at 49.
The third quarter saw the Lions regain control through their perimeter game. Rayjon Tucker ignited the crowd with consecutive three-pointers, followed by a seamless connection between Barry Brown and Zhu Junlong for another wide-open triple. Brown, last season's Finals MVP, continued his strong performance, eventually finishing the night with 27 points.
The star of the evening, Hu Jinqiu, capped off his performance with a game-high 30 points, ensuring the Lions avoided elimination and narrowing the series gap to 3-1. While the Shanghai Sharks now look to secure the championship in Game Five this Friday in Shanghai, the Lions have injected fresh hope and energy into their quest to defend their crown.
Reference(s):
Guangsha Lions ease elimination worries with key win over Shanghai
cgtn.com
