Can you imagine a team in last place making a comeback in overtime? Or a team trailing by 25 points actually turning the game around in the final quarter? This round of CBA games has proven that these "impossibilities" can indeed happen, delivering a harsh reality check to everyone. The underdogs have risen, dark horses have emerged, and the strong teams have faltered, turning what should have been an uneventful regular season into a celebration night for the bottom-ranked teams.
Fujian and Jiangsu teams, both long-time residents at the lower end of the rankings, have recently shown impressive performances. Especially in this round of games, the two teams have taken the entire atmosphere of the court to new heights with their remarkable displays.
Let's start with Fujian. In their match against Sichuan, Fujian managed to drag the game into overtime. This last-place team displayed incredible tenacity in the crucial moments - Zeng Lingxuan hit a three-pointer at the most critical juncture, while Sichuan's Samuels had ice-cold hands, missing a forced three-pointer at the last moment, allowing Fujian to secure victory with a score of 132-127.
This victory not only ended Fujian's losing streak against Sichuan but also became an important turning point for the team this season. It can be said that although Fujian is generally weak in strength, they proved with a win that they are not just a pushover.
Now let's look at Jiangsu. In this game, they faced Zhejiang, who were ranked high and had previously achieved a 10-game winning streak. Throughout the game, Jiangsu kept the score close, especially in the fourth quarter when Zhejiang suddenly went cold, and Jiangsu seized the opportunity to complete a 99-93 comeback. Three Jiangsu players scored over 20 points in this game, demonstrating an unprecedented cohesion and fighting spirit from the whole team.
Especially in the key moments, Jiangsu performed more calmly and tenaciously than Zhejiang. This victory not only broke Zhejiang's winning streak but also helped Jiangsu achieve their first winning streak of the season. The underdogs' stunning comeback was met with applause.
From Fujian and Jiangsu's victories, it's clear that the underdogs do have opportunities; the key is whether they can seize their opponents' mistakes and chances. On the basketball court, strength is undoubtedly important, but who laughs last often depends on who can withstand the pressure.
If Fujian and Jiangsu's victories were surprising enough, Shanxi's performance has directly refreshed the dramatic nature of the CBA.
Against Xinjiang, Shanxi was at an absolute disadvantage throughout the first three quarters, falling behind by as much as 25 points at one point, leading almost everyone to believe that the outcome of the game was no longer in doubt. However, the charm of basketball lies in the fact that it never lacks miracles.
Shanxi exploded in the fourth quarter, scoring an astonishing 41-11 in a single quarter, completely reversing the rhythm of the entire game. Ultimately, Shanxi won with a score of 115-110, making this game one of the rare instances in CBA history where a team won a quarter by a margin of 30 points. This kind of comeback is akin to a "scripted murder mystery" in sports events.
Shanxi's victory not only stunned the fans but also earned them tremendous confidence. After all, successfully making a comeback after trailing by 25 points requires not only adjustments in technique and tactics but also a complete mental reset for the players. From this perspective, Shanxi undoubtedly demonstrated commendable fighting power and execution in the final quarter.
In fact, such major comebacks are not uncommon in CBA history. For example, Liaoning once accomplished a similar feat in the finals. However, Shanxi's performance of winning a quarter by 30 points is still quite rare. Perhaps this game will become a turning point for Shanxi this season, helping them emerge from their previous unstable state.
If the celebration of the bottom-ranked teams is exciting, the faltering of the strong teams is disheartening. Zhejiang, which once won 10 consecutive games, is now in a slump. After losing to Jiangsu, they have suffered three consecutive defeats.
Zhejiang's problems mainly focus on two aspects. Firstly, the team's physical fitness seems to have reached a bottleneck, with the players' on-court performance noticeably lacking the vigor seen in previous games. Secondly, the decline in form of key players has made the team's decision-making ability in critical moments unstable. Especially in the game against Jiangsu, Zhejiang went cold in the fourth quarter, failing to score for a full seven minutes, effectively handing the victory to their opponents. For a strong team that once dominated the top of the standings, such a performance is clearly unacceptable.
Looking at Guangzhou, their performance can only be described as "miserable." In this round against Qingdao, Guangzhou lost another game with a score of 90-103, bringing their losing streak to 11 games. Eleven consecutive losses not only worsened their record but also plunged the team's morale to rock bottom. More frightening than the losses is that Guangzhou seems to have yet to find a solution to their problems. If no adjustments are made, this team may continue to struggle in the depths of despair.
Whether it's Fujian's narrow victory, Jiangsu's comeback, or Shanxi's epic reversal, these games tell us a simple truth: the basketball court is always full of suspense, and underdogs have the potential to explode. These games not only provide thrilling entertainment for fans but also add more drama and uncertainty to the league.
Of course, the difficulties faced by the strong teams also serve as a wake-up call to other teams: victory is never easily attained, and even if you are strong, you cannot afford to be complacent. For teams like Fujian, Jiangsu, and Shanxi, the victories in this round of games will undoubtedly become a catalyst for their confidence, while for teams like Zhejiang and Guangzhou, these defeats should serve as an opportunity for them to readjust their state.
The world of basketball is never short of stories. This round of CBA games, with its dramatic twists and unexpected outcomes, tells us: no matter when, never underestimate the power of the underdogs, and never assume that the strong teams will not make mistakes.
In conclusion, the charm of the CBA lies in the fact that you never know what will happen next.