The calm before the storm shrouded the second battle between Shandong and Guangdong. The home team Guangdong faced Shandong in a match that was not only about the honor of the two teams but also tugged at the hearts of countless fans. On the Guangdong side, Hu Mingxuan had been out for a long time, and several players were unwell, but they gritted their teeth and vowed to fight for victory at home. The whistle blew, and both sides quickly entered the game, with the score rising alternately, creating a tense atmosphere that made it hard to breathe. At halftime, Shandong led 56-51, with Gaili performing outstandingly, contributing 20 points in a single quarter and leading the team to take the lead. The cheers from the audience rose and fell, seemingly heralding an exciting show to come. But no one expected that the real competition had just begun. In the third quarter, the situation changed dramatically as Huang Rongqi of Guangdong suddenly exploded, teaming up with Xu Jie to launch a 14-0 run, instantly overtaking the score. This wave of attacks surged like a tide, catching the previously leading Shandong off guard. Shandong's offense ended fruitlessly several times in a row, and their defense failed to effectively stop the scoring frenzy of the opponent. At this critical moment, foreign aid Chris lost control of his emotions and was penalized for a flagrant foul for elbowing Xu Jie, directly costing Shandong valuable points and rhythm. This incident not only changed the situation on the court but also forced coach Qiu Biao to reassess Chris' role. From that moment on, Chris was almost excluded, only gaining a brief opportunity to play towards the end of the game. This change directly affected the team's overall tactical layout, especially weakening the inside strength, posing a significant challenge for the upcoming games. The excellent performance of Huang Rongqi and the unexpected mistake of Chris caused a dramatic shift in the competition between the two teams. At the end of the third quarter, the originally leading Shandong team was surprisingly behind their opponents, a result that caught many people off guard. The truth finally came to light, with the secret behind Gaili's absence and Qiu Biao's choice becoming the focus. As the game neared its end, Shandong fans became increasingly puzzled about Gaili not playing in the final quarter. In fact, Gaili's failure to appear in the fourth quarter was not due to strategic considerations by coach Qiu Biao but because of a recurrence of an old knee injury. According to on-site reporters, Gaili was wearing a thick ice pack during pre-game warm-ups, indicating that his knee injury had already posed a potential risk before the game. By the second half, Gaili's state had significantly declined, scoring only 2 points in the third quarter and contributing nothing in the fourth. Considering the lesson of Ding Yanhang's career damage due to overuse, Qiu Biao chose to protect Gaili and prevent him from playing injured, a decision that was responsible for the player's health and also a long-term plan for future games. Faced with external doubts about "throwing the game," Qiu Biao clearly stated after the game that Guangdong is an 11-time champion, and Shandong still has much to learn. He particularly pointed out problems such as a decrease in offensive shooting percentage and lack of defensive focus in the early third quarter, as well as the fatigue of the players, all of which were important reasons for the eventual loss. Especially after Chris' flagrant foul in the third quarter, Qiu Biao had to adjust the lineup, reducing Chris' playing time, which indirectly affected the team's overall rhythm and combat effectiveness. Despite this, Qiu Biao still insisted that his decision was for the best interests of the team, even if it meant enduring temporary public pressure. As for why Gaili was not allowed to continue, the answer has become clear - to prevent the worsening of injuries, sacrificing a victory might be a wise move. As the story unfolds, people begin to reflect on the significance of this game. Whether it was Guangdong's clever tactics to reverse the victory or Shandong's tenacity shown in adversity, it allowed people to see the charm of basketball. Every minute and second is a contest of sweat and wisdom, and every decision carries the expectations of countless people. When the final whistle sounded and the score was fixed at a five-point difference, Du Feng breathed a sigh of relief, while Qiu Biao silently accepted the reality of defeat. At this moment, victory and defeat are no longer important; what matters is what the two teams learned from this game. For Shandong, how to learn from this loss and prepare for future challenges will be a new topic facing them. For fans, this game is not just a simple win-loss confrontation but a wonderful performance about team spirit, strategic layout, and individual heroism. It makes us understand that in the world of competitive sports, sometimes giving up is also a kind of courage, and protecting the health of players is far more important than temporary glory. The thinking left by this game far exceeds the game itself and is worth everyone's careful savoring.