In the second round of the CBA playoffs, Shenzhen swept Zhejiang with a commanding performance, while Guangsha evened their series against Shanxi, highlighting a shift toward team basketball and interior dominance.
Shenzhen’s depth proved decisive as they overwhelmed Zhejiang. He Xining erupted in the fourth quarter, hitting two crucial three-pointers to snuff out Zhejiang’s rally. His playoff consistency—shooting over 40% from deep compared to just over 30% in the regular season—underscored the value of composure under pressure. Zhejiang, relying heavily on a short rotation, struggled to keep pace with Shenzhen’s eight-man rotation that matched starter intensity.
Meanwhile, Guangsha fought back from a Game 1 road loss to tie their series at 1-1. Facing a red-hot Shanxi team that torched the nets from three-point range in the first half, Guangsha leaned on Hu Jinqiu’s interior presence. The center posted 17 points and 11 rebounds, but his real impact came on defense—Shanxi’s paint efficiency dropped nearly 40% with him protecting the rim. In the grind-it-out third quarter, both teams struggled offensively, but Guangsha’s rebounding and switching defense held firm. A late Shanxi surge fell short as Guangsha won 86-81.
These playoff games laid bare the survival logic of short series: defense as the foundation, rotation depth as the engine, and execution of details as the deciding factor. Shenzhen’s sweep proved the power of a balanced system, while Guangsha’s resilient comeback showcased the anchor of a dependable interior player. With both southern teams advancing, the CBA landscape is shifting away from the traditional northern dominance, reflecting growing parity across the league.
Coaching transitions and player career paths also came into focus. Guangsha head coach Wang Bo, a former player for the team, and Shenzhen’s Zheng Yonggang, who also transitioned from player to coach, represent a common trend in Chinese basketball. He Xining, at 27, still has years ahead, but discussions around post-career planning are increasingly common for players nearing their thirties.
From a fan perspective, these games shifted attention from star stats to the small things—boxing out, spacing, help defense. The growing emphasis on team basketball and detail-oriented play has elevated the quality of the playoffs, making each possession matter more than ever. As the final four takes shape, every defensive rotation and interior battle will be scrutinized under the pressure of short series, pushing the league toward higher competitive standards.