On January 16th, the 31st round of the CBA regular season concluded with several key matches that brought the round to a climax. Guangdong completed an astonishing comeback from a 19-point deficit, defeating Guangzhou 85-77 and securing their seventh consecutive victory. Meanwhile, the bottom-ranked Fujian team also had a breakout performance, defeating Sichuan 121-117 at home and handing their opponents a bitter loss. With the results of the matches now out, the standings are in a state of chaos, with only three points separating the teams ranked second to ninth, making the competition extremely fierce.
In the match between Fujian and Sichuan, Fujian displayed a rare fighting spirit, maintaining their determination even when the game started off poorly for them. In the first half, Fujian's offense was cold, with a team shooting percentage of only 30%, relying on free throws from fouls to catch up on points. On the other hand, Sichuan saw Samuels and Hunter combine for a full offensive display, along with outstanding performances from local players like Li Weihao and Hu Junlin, helping Sichuan end the first half leading 66-58.
In the third quarter, the game gradually intensified. The core foreign players from both sides engaged in a shootout, with the score tied several times before ending the quarter at 89-all. At a critical moment, Fujian's Zeng Lingxuan and Sun Yansong stepped up, launching a small scoring spree to secure the victory. Despite Samuels' best efforts, scoring an impressive 51 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists, he was unable to lead his team to a comeback.
Ultimately, Fujian defeated Sichuan 121-117, securing a valuable win. This victory, achieved while at the bottom of the rankings, also demonstrated their refusal to give up and their tenacity.
The matchup between Guangdong and Guangzhou was equally dramatic and could be considered a classic battle. In the first half of the game, Guangdong struggled, with no offensive touch. They scored only 18 points in the first quarter and their shooting percentage dropped below 20% in the second quarter, with the team scoring just 11 points. At halftime, Guangdong trailed Guangzhou by 19 points, with the situation looking very unfavorable for them.
However, the second half brought a change in fortune. After the start of the third quarter, Jilun Walters took the initiative, leading Guangdong to a strong 17-0 run, erasing the deficit and achieving the lead. They tightly defended their opponents, successfully controlling the pace of the game. By the end of the third quarter, Guangdong led Guangzhou 52-50.
In the final quarter, the two teams engaged in intense competition, with the scores alternating in the lead. In the last minute, Xu Jie hit a crucial three-pointer, followed by Jilun Walters' continuous contributions on both offense and defense, effectively ending any suspense in the game. Ultimately, Guangdong overcame Guangzhou 85-77, securing their seventh consecutive victory.
With the conclusion of this round of matches, the latest CBA standings have also changed. There is only a three-point difference between the eight teams ranked second to ninth, meaning that the result of each match could significantly impact the rankings. Guangdong, with this streak of seven consecutive victories, is making a push for one of the top four spots; while Guangzhou faces a severe test, with their playoff spot hanging in the balance.
Conclusion:
This round of matches not only showcased the resilience of Guangdong and Fujian but also made the competition in the CBA standings more intense. The race for playoff spots is gradually entering the final stretch, and every team needs to give it their all. For fans, the upcoming matches will undoubtedly be even more exciting and spectacular.