In Game 3 of the CBA playoffs quarterfinals, Guangdong fell 73-88 to Beijing, losing the series 1-2. Despite the elimination, head coach Guo Shiqiang took away several encouraging takeaways from the matchup.
Hu Mingxuan has been in outstanding form since the playoffs began. Whenever he’s on the court with enough responsibility, he makes a positive impact. He has maintained a high level of offensive production, especially with his three-point shooting. In Game 3, he scored 9 points in the first quarter but saw fewer touches later. Nevertheless, his overall playoffs performance left no room for doubt. With sufficient recovery time, he remains a key guard for the national team.
Beijing also saw strong performances from several key players. Zeng Fanbo bounced back well from a poor previous game, scoring 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting while providing excellent defensive coverage. His two-way play bolsters the forward position for the Chinese men’s basketball team.
Zhou Qi delivered what might be his best playoff performance this year. He was effective on offense, drawing fouls and finishing efficiently with 18 points. He also showed strong rim protection. As long as his stamina holds up, his two-way contributions are invaluable to the team’s interior game.
Zhao Rui has remained healthy throughout the series. Although he didn’t shine in the last two games and suffered a minor injury in Game 3, it’s not serious. After some rest, he should be ready for the next round. When he maintains his attacking mindset, Zhao Rui has the ability to take over games, and the national team will still need his contributions.