Refuse to be upset! Guangsha narrowly defeats Shenzhen, Hu Jinqiu with 22+10, Brown with 20+14, Zhou Peng becomes the focus of controversy
A thrilling CBA match has just concluded, with Guangsha Men's Basketball Team narrowly defeating Shenzhen Men's Basketball Team 91-86 in the absence of their core player Sun Minghui. They successfully defended their home court glory thanks to Hu Jinqiu's dominance in the paint and Brown's all-around performance.
During the game, Zhao Jiaoren's crucial three-pointer was exhilarating, but Zhou Peng's lackluster performance became a hot topic after the game.
Can the old guard of the basketball world still adapt to high-intensity competition? This game provided an intriguing answer.
The match between Guangsha and Shenzhen took place on the evening of January 14 at Guangsha's home court.
Before the game, Guangsha Men's Basketball Team's core point guard Sun Minghui was absent due to injury, which posed a significant challenge to the team's tactical execution.
Facing the strong Shenzhen team, Guangsha's performance was full of ups and downs, with the suspense lasting until the very end.
At the beginning of the game, both sides quickly entered the state.
In the first quarter, the two teams engaged in fierce offensive battles, with the pace on the court as fast as lightning, and the players exerting themselves on both defense and offense.
On the offensive end, Hu Jinqiu's consecutive scores in the paint laid the foundation for Guangsha, while He Xining of Shenzhen responded with accurate mid-to-long-range shots.
At the end of the first quarter, Guangsha led Shenzhen by only one point, 28-27, with both sides almost evenly matched.
The situation changed dramatically in the second quarter.
Due to the absence of Sun Minghui, Guangsha's offensive rhythm became noticeably chaotic, with unfamiliar cooperation and increased turnovers, failing to convert several fast-break opportunities into scores.
On the other hand, Shenzhen's offense gradually gained momentum, relying on precise tactical execution and Thompson's strong inside play to gradually gain the upper hand.
At halftime, Shenzhen led 54-49, and the atmosphere at Guangsha's home court once fell into a low ebb.
However, the third quarter saw the game enter "sawtooth battle mode."
The defensive intensity of both teams suddenly increased, resulting in a drop in shooting percentage.
Brown began to stand out on the offensive end, using penetration and distribution to lead his teammates to score; at the same time, Hu Jinqiu's mid-range shooting repeatedly stabilized the team's morale.
On the Shenzhen side, He Xining continued to play the role of scoring core, with his breakthroughs making Guangsha's defense struggle to cope.
After three quarters, Shenzhen led 78-73, with the outcome still uncertain.
The decisive fourth quarter became the turning point of the entire game.
Shenzhen once expanded the lead to six points at the start of the quarter, but Zhao Jiaoren, a young player from Guangsha, stood up.
He consecutively hit two key three-pointers, instantly leveling the score and igniting the enthusiasm of the fans.
Subsequently, Brown and Hu Jinqiu scored successively, leading the team to a small 8-0 run and overtaking the game.
In the last two minutes of the game, Johnson of Shenzhen fought hard on the offensive end, but Zhou Peng, the veteran of Shenzhen, missed both free throws, missing the opportunity to catch up.
Hu Jinqiu's final break and layup sealed the victory, with Guangsha narrowly defeating Shenzhen 91-86, refusing to be upset.
Zhao Jiaoren's Three-Pointer Saves the Day
In the fourth quarter, Zhao Jiaoren's two key three-pointers were undoubtedly the most exciting moment of the game.
When Guangsha was struggling to score and Shenzhen had the chance to extend their lead, Zhao Jiaoren calmly completed these two difficult shots.
This not only helped Guangsha level the score but also greatly boosted the team's morale, laying the foundation for the eventual comeback.
Post-game statistics showed that Zhao Jiaoren contributed 20 points with a high shooting percentage of 50%, earning him the title of "ace in the hole."
Zhou Peng's Mistakes and Controversy
As a veteran of Shenzhen, Zhou Peng's performance in this game appeared somewhat lackluster.
Especially in the last two minutes of the game, he missed both free throws, missing the opportunity to level the score.
Moreover, his several attempts from beyond the arc seemed lacking in confidence, failing to provide crucial firepower support for the team.
After the game, some fans questioned whether Zhou Peng had passed his prime, with some even bluntly saying "it's time to retire."
Brown's All-Around Performance
Brown's statistics in this game were worthy of the title "all-around warrior."
Not only did he score 20 points, but he also contributed 14 assists and 9 rebounds, almost achieving a "triple-double."
In the absence of Sun Minghui, he took on the dual responsibilities of organizing the offense and finishing it.
Especially in the fourth quarter, his free throws and breakthroughs helped Guangsha stabilize the situation, demonstrating his strong individual ability.
Guangsha Team Lineup and Statistics
Hu Jinqiu: 22 points, 10 rebounds
Brown: 20 points, 14 assists, 9 rebounds
Zhao Jiaoren: 20 points
Zhu Junlong: 8 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds
Carlton: 4 points, 6 rebounds
Zhao Yanhao: 3 points
Shenzhen Team Lineup and Statistics
He Xining: 20 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals
Wang Haoran: 19 points
Thompson: 14 points, 14 rebounds
Johnson: 12 points, 11 assists
Zhou Peng: 13 points, 4 rebounds
Li Muhao: 2 points, 5 rebounds
Quarter Scores
First Quarter: Guangsha 28-27 Shenzhen
Second Quarter: Guangsha 21-27 Shenzhen
Third Quarter: Guangsha 24-24 Shenzhen
Fourth Quarter: Guangsha 18-8 Shenzhen
"Should Zhou Peng retire? He missed both free throws and couldn't even make open three-pointers. Is this still the familiar old guard we know?" However, others countered: "It's just a temporary dip in form, how can we negate his contributions over the years?"
Guangsha's victory is uplifting, but the underlying issues are worth deep thought: If Sun Minghui continues to be absent, can other players continue to step up? The CBA court is never short of passion or controversy, and this is precisely the charm of basketball.