Translation:
The 31st round of the CBA regular season saw two highly anticipated matches, the clash between Xinjiang and Jiangsu, as well as the strong confrontation between Liaoning and Shanghai. The results of these two games not only changed the ranking on the leaderboard but also added many highlights and topics to the league.
The match between Xinjiang and Jiangsu demonstrated how a team can achieve victory by relying on the outstanding performance of substitute players when the starting lineup is underperforming. At the beginning of the game, Xinjiang's offensive firepower was clearly limited, especially with the main players Qi Lin and He Gens not being in form, which once put them into a scoring dilemma. However, Zhao Rui, who came off the bench, brought a turning point for the team. This guard, who had been absent due to injury previously, showed excellent competitive form, scoring frequently on the offensive end and contributing multiple steals on the defensive end, helping the team gradually establish an advantage with his comprehensive performance.
The process of the game was not smooth sailing. Although Xinjiang once widened the gap to 21 points in the third quarter, Jiangsu did not give up. In the last quarter, they showed their tenacious fighting spirit, seizing the opportunity when Xinjiang's substitute lineup fluctuated in state, reducing the gap to single digits, putting considerable pressure on their opponents. During this period, Zhao Rui fell to the ground accidentally during a breakthrough, causing concern among fans, fortunately without serious consequences. Ultimately, Xinjiang relied on the lead they had established earlier to defeat their opponents 92-82, ending their own two-game losing streak.
The other game was even more intense. Liaoning hosted Shanghai, who came with a 16-game winning streak, and this game was filled with drama from the start. Despite the absence of Shanghai's core player Lofton due to injury, they still showed strong competitiveness. Blazo gradually found his rhythm in the game, and the outstanding performances of Li Hongquan and Liu Zheng allowed Shanghai to maintain hope of catching up even when trailing.
As the game reached its final moments, the competition between the two sides reached a fever pitch. Liaoning's Ferg showed the calmness of a veteran at this critical moment, continuously hitting key mid-range shots to help the team maintain the lead. Although Shanghai had a chance to tie the game in Li Hongquan's last shot, unfortunately, it did not go in. In the end, Liaoning won a hard-fought victory with a score of 117-114, not only ending Shanghai's 16-game winning streak but also rising to second place on the leaderboard.
The results of these two games have had a significant impact on the league landscape. Liaoning, by defeating strong rivals Shanghai, not only proved their strength but also improved their ranking position, laying a solid foundation for the subsequent championship race. On the other hand, Xinjiang returned to the top four in the league through this victory, breaking out of the losing streak, and regaining the feeling of winning.
Special mention should be made of Zhao Rui's performance. He contributed a comprehensive set of data with 20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals throughout the game, demonstrating his strong personal ability and team value. Such a performance not only helped the team win but also injected new vitality into the team. Liaoning's victory highlighted their ability to control the game at crucial moments, especially Ferg's performance, showing the value of veterans in important matches.
After this round of games, the competitive landscape of the CBA league has become even more unpredictable. Although Shanghai's winning streak has been ended, they are still one of the strong teams in the league. The rise of Liaoning and the resurgence of Xinjiang both foreshadow that the subsequent games will be even more exciting. Each team is fighting for playoff qualification and better ranking positions, and the intensity of the league will only increase further.
This round of games also reflected the continuous improvement of the overall competitive level of the CBA league. Whether it is the overall strength of the teams or the performance of individual players, they all demonstrated the standard expected of a professional league. This is undoubtedly a positive signal for the development of Chinese basketball.