The CBA playoffs quarterfinal Game 3 between Guangdong and Beijing turned into a decisive battle, with the series tied 1-1. The winner would advance to the semifinals, while the loser would be eliminated. After four quarters of intense play, Guangdong fell 73-88 to Beijing on the road, losing the series 1-2 and being knocked out of the playoffs. This marks the second consecutive season that Guangdong has been eliminated in the first round, a first in the team’s history. The last time they missed the semifinals for two straight years was 24 years ago.
Guangdong and Beijing are familiar rivals, having exchanged victories over the past decade during both the Marbury and Ma Wei eras. This season, their regular-season records were close, with Beijing finishing fourth and Guangdong fifth, separated by only two wins. However, Beijing swept Guangdong in the regular season, giving them a psychological edge.
In terms of roster strength, Beijing held an advantage in Game 3, with slightly stronger players at nearly every position. However, Guangdong managed to win at home in Game 2, proving Beijing is not invincible. Moreover, coach Du Feng’s tactical adjustments were superior to Beijing’s Xu Limin. If Guangdong could maintain stable three-point shooting, they had a chance to upset Beijing on the road. Game 3 was destined to be a fierce battle.
The first quarter was a grind, with both teams struggling to score early. Hu Mingxuan’s entry sparked Guangdong, allowing them to take a 21-15 lead after the first quarter. In the second quarter, Guangdong extended the lead to 10 points before Beijing countered with a fast-paced small lineup, turning the game around. Beijing led by 5 at halftime.
After the break, the third quarter remained a defensive slugfest. Guangdong narrowed the deficit several times, but Beijing responded quickly. Beijing outscored Guangdong 21-18 in the third quarter, extending their lead to 8 points entering the fourth. As the game reached its climax, Beijing’s deeper bench began to assert itself. Guangdong struggled with fatigue and could not keep up with Beijing’s pace, ultimately falling 73-88.
With this loss, Guangdong has now been eliminated in the first round for two consecutive seasons. Last year, they were swept 3-0 by Shanxi; this year, they lost 2-1 to Beijing. In Guangdong’s history, the only previous instance of missing the semifinals in back-to-back seasons was in 2000-01 and 2001-02, 24 years ago.
