The CBA Shanghai team has entered a rampage mode in the second stage, sweeping opponents with 14 consecutive victories. In the next five rounds, they will play against Guangzhou and Jiangsu at home, and Liaoning, Shanxi, and Sichuan away. Judging from their strength, it is almost certain that they will win against Guangzhou and Jiangsu at home, achieving 16 consecutive victories. Who can stop Shanghai's winning streak, Liaoning or Shanxi? — If Shanghai can overcome these two challenges, they are very likely to achieve a joyous 21 consecutive victories for the New Year!
Let's take a look at the current terrifying starting lineup of the Shanghai team:
- Lofton: Averaging 24.8 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 6.8 assists — The strongest foreign player in the CBA this season, covering positions 1 to 5, with limitless firepower!
- Wang Zhelin: Averaging 15.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists — The "Great King" returns as one of the top centers in the CBA, playing more comfortably with helpers!
- Li Hongquan: Averaging 15.7 points, 6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists — The answer to the national team's most lacking power forward position, with excellent shooting, rebounding, and fighting spirit!
- Li Tianrong: Averaging 15.6 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists — Realizing his talent, overcoming his fiery temper, "Little Li" is the sharpest dagger on the guard line!
- Bradley: Averaging 13.9 points, 5 rebounds, and 9.6 assists — When Blood doesn't just rely on strong breakthroughs, experience and skills immediately occupy the high ground!
The above five players can score 85 points, grab 35 rebounds, and make 22 assists per game. This terrifying firepower puts pressure on Liaoning and Shanxi. Moreover, the Shanghai bench also has Liu Zheng, Yuan Tangwen, Yan Pengfei, three quasi-top domestic players, and Wells and Hawkins, two foreign players. Adding the outstanding young players like Xie Liyongwei, Liu Lijia, Liu Zhengqing, etc., the depth and strength of this twelve-man lineup is really enviable!
Let's analyze the situation against Liaoning:
Liaoning has three advantages: home court advantage, psychological advantage, and team experience. However, there are also obvious disadvantages or loopholes in specific matchups:
- The frontcourt matchup against Lofton and Li Hongquan is a natural flaw. Zhang Zhenlin is injured, Fu Hao's defense is poor, and only the veteran Li Xiaoxu is available. There is a huge gap in physical strength and strength, and no foreign frontcourt can match them (Wells is a swingman between forward and guard, almost unable to defend against the two mentioned above) — This is the key to determining the outcome of the game!
- The young players available to Shanghai are relatively strong substitutes, while Liaoning has a significant gap between their starters and substitutes.
- The backcourt led by Zhao Jiwei and Fredette seems to have an advantage, but the combination of Bradley and Li Tianrong is not inferior, even slightly superior in explosiveness and physical strength. Center Wang Zhelin vs. Han Dejun is evenly matched, with Wang Zhelin's mobility better suited to the team's running attack tactics.
Overall, both sides have equal chances of winning, predicted to be a 50-50 split.
Now let's analyze the situation against Shanxi:
Shanxi's advantage lies in home court energy, single foreigner Liu Chuanxing controlling the paint in the fourth quarter, and the diversity of attack methods by Zhang Ning and Yuan Shuai. There are no other advantages in comparison:
- Diawara vs. Lofton presents two completely different contrasts. Diawara has superior jumping ability and explosiveness, but Lofton's brute force and versatility are stronger.
- Goodwin stands out individually, while Bradley focuses more on the smoothness of the team's offense. Li Hongquan vs. Jiao Hailong and Xing Qiang is a battle of youth against experience! — Li Tianrong vs. Zhang Ning is also a battle of individuality, but it won't be one-sided!
- Wang Zhelin and Yan Pengfei vs. Ge Zhaobao and Liu Chuanxing are basically matched, with both sides having their own X-factors — Liu Zheng vs. Jia Mingru and Han Peiyu!
Overall, as long as Shanxi does not have internal discord, their chances of winning are slightly higher, about 55% vs. 45%!
Finally, let's talk about Shanghai's head coach Lu Wei, whose most important task is to stabilize the inner turmoil brought about by the winning streak, see clearly that the team's strength is not truly top-notch, maintain a level-headed attitude, and treat every opponent cautiously and seriously to go further!
