CBA Playoffs Game 2 saw the Guangsha Lions narrowly defeat the Shanxi Loongs 86-81, tying the series at 1-1. Guangsha controlled the tempo throughout, never allowing Shanxi to seize a lead, ultimately securing a hard-fought victory.
Three players delivered standout performances. Hu Jinqiu was exceptional, shooting 8-of-13 from the field and adding 17 points and 11 rebounds. His crucial offensive rebounds and scoring in the fourth quarter were instrumental in maintaining the lead and securing the win. Zhu Junlong also impressed, especially from beyond the arc, hitting 3-of-5 three-pointers for 10 points, including a key triple in crunch time. Zhao Jiaren showed a return to form, scoring 11 points with 3-of-6 from three-point range, stepping up alongside Hu Jinqiu.
Four players had average outings. Sampson struggled with his shooting efficiency but contributed on the boards and defense, serving as a capable role player. Lin Bingsheng brought a surprise with his defensive efforts, though his lack of shooting ability limited his impact to supplementary duties. Brown had a rough night with his shooting, but he managed to draw fouls and get to the free-throw line, helping to maintain the gap in the fourth quarter; he will need to improve in the next game. Wu Xiao held his own on the glass, but his offensive game remained nonexistent, a persistent weakness.
Three players underperformed. Tucker, like Brown, struggled with his shot and lacked foul drawing ability, while his three-point shooting was disastrous. Carlton failed to make an impact inside, showing no effectiveness on offense or defense and accumulating fouls. Zhao Yanhao offered little support from the backcourt, playing just four minutes and recording only one rebound with zero in all other statistical categories—an insufficient contribution.
