In the 31st round of the CBA regular season, Guangdong and Guangzhou faced off in a derby match. After adjusting their perimeter lineup, Guangdong gradually established a good chemical reaction. Initially, the team wanted a qualified versatile small foreign aid, but Xu Jie stepped up in time, transforming into a true foreign aid and shouldering the team's guard line. Guangdong returned to stability and won six consecutive victories, not far from the top four. Guangzhou is currently rebuilding and is relatively distant from the playoffs, with little pressure for results. The good news is that Guo Ailun finally returned. In the first quarter, the well-trained Guangzhou youth team gave the older brother a wake-up call, winning the quarter 28-18 against Guangdong, leaving coach Du Feng unsatisfied.
In the second quarter, Crawford performed a dunk, and Guangdong's offense was awkward. It was Xu Jie who stopped the bleeding with a three-pointer. Guo Ailun's shooting was average, but his passing was good. Xu Jie made an ultra-long three-pointer, and Xu Xin scored excitedly, but his defensive habits were poor, allowing Crawford to score. Xu Xin then missed two free throws. Bazley made an alley-oop dunk, Douglas hit a corner three-pointer, Warren took a slow-paced jump shot, Liu Yancheng struggled to lay the ball in, Yuan Zhaoyao missed an open basket, Ma Ke made two more free throws, and Guangzhou used Guangdong's signature counterattack defense to pull away the score. Bazley made one of two free throws, and Yuan Zhaoyao scored at the buzzer, ending the half with Guangzhou leading Guangdong 48-29.
In the third quarter, Guangdong staged a comeback, with Jilunwate scoring five points in a row. Warren made a mid-range jumper, Ren Junfei delivered another assist, and Xu Jie easily countered. Guangzhou called a timeout. Upon returning, Guangzhou continued to make mistakes. Zhang Haojia ran for an empty basket, Jilunwate hit another three-pointer but missed both free throws. Guangdong went on a 14-2 run, with Zhang Haojia converting a three-pointer. Morand sent a big block, and Warren almost got into a conflict with Morand, both receiving technical fouls. Xu Jie scored a 2+1 against Guo Ailun, Li Xiangbo finally broke his scoring drought, Zhang Haojia made a rare one-on-one move, Morand had already committed five fouls, and Ma Ke missed both free throws. Xu Jie slowed down and scored off the backboard. Ren Junfei's entry was the turning point, making Guangdong's offense smoother and calmer, even hitting a three-pointer. Guangzhou relied too much on individual play, and at the end of the third quarter, Guangdong led 62-59.
In the final quarter, Yuan Zhaoyao hit a three-pointer, Ren Junfei faked a pass and scored, Yuan Zhaoyao hit another three-pointer from the top of the arc, Xu Jie drove to the baseline for a layup, Du Runwang scored a 2+1 under the basket, Xu Jie grabbed multiple rebounds, Jilunwate made a cutting dunk, Ma Ke made a reverse layup, Tong Jiajun made poor offensive choices and repeatedly turned the ball over, Zhang Haojia fouled out, Ma Ke and Ren Junfei both missed free throws, Guo Ailun stole the ball from Xu Jie and assisted Yuan Zhaoyao, Jilunwate made an important 2+1, Xu Jie followed with a three-pointer, Ren Junfei blocked another shot, Jilunwate scored through free throws and attacks, Huang Rongqi made both free throws, and the game ended with Guangdong reversing Guangzhou 85-77. Jilunwate scored 30 points, Xu Jie had 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, Ma Ke scored 24 points, and Guo Ailun had 7 assists without scoring.
