Liaoning defeats Xinjiang 115-89 in the CBA regular season, showcasing a strong performance with intense defense and excellent offensive play from Wells. This allowed Liaoning to maintain their advantage and secure a significant victory. Post-game, Liaoning experiences three joys and one concern.
Wells' performance was terrifying as Xinjiang struggled to limit him, repeatedly leaving him open. However, Wells was able to capitalize on these opportunities. Whenever he was given an open shot, he made it count, scoring 50 points in the game with 17 out of 31 shots. This scoring prowess is truly remarkable. Previously, Wells wasn't known for his three-point shooting ability, but his recent display has changed perceptions and made teams wary of leaving him open. Xinjiang learned this lesson the hard way.
Wang Lanqin also had a perfect game. Despite Liaoning's initial reluctance to play him, Wang Lanqin proved his worth today, delivering explosive offense and defense in both halves. He is now the only other player besides Zhao Jiwei capable of handling the ball and organizing the backcourt. Additionally, he can increase the pace and improve defensive intensity, unlocking his potential to significantly alleviate pressure on the backcourt. It's worth noting that Zhao Jiwei will need some time before returning, scoring 20 points in the game, and there are hopes that Yang Ming will continue to recognize Wang Lanqin's contributions.
Li Huoyi also performed well. Although he didn't have a major offensive breakout, his defensive capabilities on the perimeter were strong, allowing him to single-handedly restrict the opposing team's small forward. With Zhang Zhenlin absent, Li Huoyi fills this gap and is among the young players most capable of stepping up. He has great potential for further development.
However, Fu Hao became the biggest issue during the game. At one point, Yang Ming spent half a timeout talking to him. There was no choice as Fu Hao's performance was subpar. Despite the team leading by 20 points at one stage, his plus-minus was negative. This was due to his poor shooting, lack of rebounds, and mediocre defense. He can only occasionally perform well, but his overall consistency is lacking.