The opening game of the CBA Finals saw Zhejiang Guangsha fall short at home, losing 108-120 to Liaoning despite an electrifying atmosphere at the Hangzhou arena. The finals are more than just a basketball series for the city—they’re a citywide celebration. Some fans arrived at the stadium hours before tipoff, eager to witness history. For those who enjoy high-stakes sports drama like Live Cricket BPL, this showdown carried that same sense of anticipation and momentum.
At the post-game press conference, Guangsha head coach Li Chunjiang remained composed despite the loss. He called the game a valuable lesson and said it was a price worth paying, admitting his team hadn’t prepared well enough. Guangsha struggled in key areas, losing the rebound battle by 11 and committing 15 turnovers. The absence of Su Ruoyu, sidelined by injury, severely weakened their inside presence. Although Su was eager to play and even volunteered, the coaching staff opted to rest him for the sake of his long-term health. His availability for the next game remains uncertain and will depend on his recovery.
On the other side, Liaoning’s star guard Guo Ailun led his team with 27 points and 5 assists. After the game, Guo emphasized that by the time teams reach the finals, everyone already knows each other’s playbook. He said it’s not just about strategy anymore—it’s about mentality. Having previously lost a championship after winning the opening game, Liaoning remains cautious. Guo warned against early celebration, noting that the journey has only just begun and every game needs to be played with the same intensity as the first.
Throughout the match, Guangsha struggled to find a rhythm. Their performance on the boards was lacking, and turnovers proved costly. Despite Lin Zhijie’s strong showing from beyond the arc in what turned into a three-point shootout, Guangsha couldn’t overcome their size disadvantage. Liaoning, the more experienced side, used their interior strength to maintain control and ultimately took a 1-0 series lead—snatching home-court advantage in the process.
The game started with Liaoning’s Guo Ailun and He Tianju each hitting threes, sparking a 32-21 first-quarter lead. Guangsha responded in the second quarter, with a rejuvenated performance by Fortson fueling a 27-8 run that briefly flipped the lead. Still, Liaoning held a slim 54-53 advantage at halftime thanks to strong contributions from Brandon Bass and Lester Hudson.
As the game progressed, Guangsha narrowed the gap several times, but Liaoning’s tight defense and better in-game adjustments helped them maintain control. In the fourth quarter, they went on a decisive 17-8 run, closing out the game with authority. Bass was the standout, posting 28 points and 10 rebounds, anchoring both ends of the floor. His dominance in the paint highlighted Guangsha’s interior struggles.
The Guangsha coaching staff admitted that their tactical and in-game adjustments were no match for Liaoning’s experience. Moving forward, they’ll need to regroup and respond if they hope to turn the series around. For fans used to thrilling finishes in Live Cricket BPL, this CBA Finals matchup has delivered a similar level of suspense and unpredictability. As the battle continues, Guangsha must learn fast or risk falling further behind.