104-101, Liaoning managed to hold their home court and narrowly defeat Beikong Men's Basketball. The defending champions were able to secure a victory, which they owe largely to Ferg's explosive performance in the third quarter. Without his contribution, Liaoning would have lost. The team did not play well, especially in the fourth quarter, where they became too relaxed after leading by a significant margin, almost allowing their opponents to make a comeback. This is something that needs serious reflection. In the post-game interview, Yang Ming expressed his dissatisfaction with the team's performance, criticizing their arrogance.
There are two pieces of good news for Liaoning:
Firstly, Ferg has returned to form, the Finals MVP and best foreign player. He and Wells alternate in their explosive performances, supporting each other. Liaoning's small foreign players are incredibly strong, boasting a luxurious backcourt lineup.
The second piece of good news is that Patton is really good, not a flop. His passing ability is crucial for the team. Unfortunately, his tactical position is insufficient, and he doesn't get enough ball possession. If given more opportunities, it's believed that he will perform well; he's a player who uses his brain on the court.
However, Liaoning also faces three pieces of bad news:
Firstly, Zhao Jiwei continues to struggle, with poor offensive performance since his return. He made many mistakes in this game, not in sync with his teammates. Additionally, he's committing more fouls and becoming increasingly temperamental, which is unbecoming of a leader.
Secondly, Liaoning's frontline capabilities are concerning. Li Xiaoxu and Fu Hao have low offensive levels, frequently wasting open shots. Their presence on the court causes the team's offense to become stagnant, making it difficult for their teammates. Not being able to score is a problem, no matter how many rebounds they grab.
Lastly, Wang Lanqin's form has disappeared again. After Zhao Jiwei's return, he needs to readjust and figure out how to play well as a substitute, which is clearly not as good as when he starts. There's nothing to be done about it; he definitely can't compete with Zhao Jiwei, regardless of the latter's form. He can only slowly adjust and recover.