Talk about a nail-biter! 😱 The defending champions, the Guangsha Lions, just proved why you should never count them out. Facing a total sweep in the CBA Finals, the Lions clawed their way back with a massive 101-93 victory over the Shanghai Sharks at home. 🏀🔥
The game started with some absolute fireworks. Hu Jinqiu was on a mission from the jump, going a perfect 6-for-6 in the first quarter to drop 14 points. By the time the first whistle blew, the Lions were cruising with a 28-18 lead. Talk about setting the tone! ⚡️
But the Sharks aren't just any team. In the second quarter, they fought back hard. Wang Zhelin brought the heat on defense, delivering a clutch block on Joshua Carlton that shifted the momentum. With a cold-blooded three-pointer from Liu Cheng, the Sharks managed to tie the game at 49 by halftime. It was a complete toss-up heading into the locker room! 🎢
The second half is where the Lions really found their rhythm. Rayjon Tucker caught fire, hitting back-to-back threes to put Guangsha back on top. Then came the dynamic duo: Barry Brown and Zhu Junlong connected for another wide-open triple, pushing the lead to 72-63. Brown, the Finals MVP from last season, showed everyone he's still got it, finishing the night with 27 points. 🌟
The real MVP of the night, though? Hu Jinqiu. He finished with a staggering 30 points, leading the charge to ensure the Lions stay in the fight. The series now stands at 3-1, meaning the dream of defending the title is still very much alive! 🦁🏆
Now, all eyes are on Shanghai. The Sharks are looking to close the deal, and the Lions are looking to keep the momentum rolling in Game Five this Friday. Will it be a sweep, or are we heading for an epic comeback? Stay tuned! 🌍💬✨
Reference(s):
Guangsha Lions ease elimination worries with key win over Shanghai
cgtn.com
