Guangdong played a beautiful game in Tianjin, eventually defeating their opponents 120-111 to secure a four-game winning streak.
The match was both tense and exciting, especially during the second and third quarters when Guangdong demonstrated their strong ability to transition between offense and defense. Despite Tianjin's best efforts, they were ultimately unable to stage a comeback.
From the start of the game, both teams were locked in a tight battle, with the score never really opening up. Tianjin's Huang Rongqi and Zhang Yunmeng hit consecutive three-pointers, while Guangdong responded with their own outside shooting from Shi Deshuai and Bazley, which kept them in a slight lead at times. The first quarter was fiercely contested, with the lead changing hands several times, creating an atmosphere so tense it felt like one could hardly breathe. Bazley and James' performances were particularly crucial, becoming the key to victory for both teams. At the end of the first quarter, Tianjin took the lead 24-22 with a late surge.
In the second quarter, Guangdong gradually found their rhythm. Jilunwater became the pivotal figure on the court, scoring continuously to help Guangdong reverse the score. Although Tianjin also had Dubaochao and Hamlet respond with three-pointers, Guangdong's offensive onslaught was even more ferocious. With a 20-5 scoring spree, Guangdong led 66-49 at halftime, with an advantage nearing 20 points. At this point, Tianjin's offense faltered, failing to convert many critical shots and instead being repeatedly attacked by Guangdong.
Guangdong maintained their offensive momentum in the second half, especially Jilunwater, who scored from multiple positions under the basket and outside, leading the team to steadily solidify their lead. By the end of the third quarter, Guangdong still held a 14-point lead, with the score at 96-82.
In the final quarter, Guangdong began to show some slack, with a noticeable dip in their offensive performance. They missed several attempts, including outside three-pointers. Fortunately, Tianjin's state had not fully recovered either, especially beyond the three-point line, where their players seemed somewhat exhausted and unable to reduce the gap to a threatening level. Ultimately, Guangdong secured the victory with solid defense and occasional scoring.
Jilunwater performed exceptionally well in this game, finishing with 30 points and 11 rebounds, exerting immense pressure on Tianjin at both ends of the court. Xu Jie contributed a double-double with 16 points and 12 assists, particularly noteworthy for his organization of the offense and key passes in crucial moments. On the Tianjin side, James recorded a triple-double with 18 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists, but despite his efforts, he was unable to lead the team to a successful counterattack.
Speaking of the turning point in the game, the 20-5 run in the second quarter was undoubtedly Guangdong's decisive move. Many fans believe that if not for that scoring spree, Tianjin might have had the opportunity to take advantage of Guangdong's slackness to catch up or even overtake them.
Guangdong's victory was also due to their tenacity on defense, especially Morand's protection inside, which helped the team seize the initiative at critical moments.
Throughout the game, the most outstanding player was Jilunwater. His performance perfectly embodied "both attack and defense," with stable output on offense and relentless effort on defense, helping the team stabilize their footing at critical moments.
After this game, Guangdong also achieved a four-game winning streak, stabilizing their ranking in the league. For upcoming games, Guangdong is clearly brimming with confidence; as long as they can maintain their current form, they stand a good chance of continuing to climb.
Some commentators believe that although Guangdong has won consecutively, their relaxed performance in the last quarter still revealed some issues. Especially the inconsistent offense; if facing stronger opponents, they may pay a higher price.
Regardless, Guangdong has already clinched their four-game winning streak, while Tianjin suffered defeat at home. Both teams need to adjust their states to meet the challenges ahead.