Guangdong Men’s Basketball pulled off a dramatic game-winning shot at home against Beijing, forcing the series into a decisive Game 3. With the momentum now in their favor, the team is looking to replicate their previous comeback victory—having already overturned a deficit twice in the last round. The winner-takes-all clash will now move to Beijing’s home court.
Quinn and Spellman stood out as the top performers in this game, and both were selected for post-game drug testing. Zhang Haojia was also called in for testing. However, routine drug tests are standard after every CBA game, especially during the playoffs, so there is no need for overinterpretation.
Guangdong’s owner was ecstatic after the win, with the thrilling buzzer-beater igniting the entire arena. The owner had promised double bonuses before the game but raised it to triple, with additional rewards for game-winner Zhang Haojia. It was a generous move from the boss. The game saw a full house, with 16,000 fixed seats and 1,500 additional temporary seats. Ticket revenue could reach as high as 13 million yuan. If Guangdong advances to the semifinals, even bigger bonuses are expected.
The key to Guangdong’s victory was Quinn, who scored 39 points, carrying the team single-handedly. But winning required collective effort—it wasn’t just Quinn’s excellent performance; domestic players stepped up as well. In the previous game at Beijing, only Hu Mingxuan and Xu Jie contributed offensively, but this time, Du Runwang and Zhang Haojia delivered. Du Runwang hit 4 of 6 three-pointers, and Zhang Haojia sank two triples, including the game-winner. Guangdong’s winning strategy was opening up the three-point line, hitting 19 three-pointers in total. They matched Beijing shot for shot in crucial moments and held their nerve, creating the opportunity for the final shot. When the three-pointers are falling, Guangdong has a real chance to win.
Despite the victory, Cui Yongxi couldn’t find much joy. He played only 9 minutes and went 0-for-4 from the field, finishing with just 1 rebound and 1 assist. His contribution was minimal, and he was benched in the fourth quarter. Coach Du Feng stuck with Zhang Haojia, and the result proved that was the right call. Cui’s outside shooting has been poor since the playoffs began, and he hasn’t found his rhythm offensively this season. The team needs him to adjust quickly and do more on the court. Other players like Jiao Boqiao and Chen Jiajun were also listed but didn’t see action.
This win has given Guangdong a huge boost in morale and confidence. The team will give it their all in the next game, and their chances of reaching the semifinals continue to rise. Let’s look forward to what happens next!