Shanxi Loongs overturn 19-point gap to shock Guangdong Southern Tigers

The Shanxi Loongs defeated the Guangdong Southern Tigers 103-99 in Dongguan, south China's Guangdong Province on Friday, beating the hosts for the second time in the 2024-25 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) regular season.

Guangdong blew a 19-point lead, 50-31, which they had built shortly before halftime. That margin was the result of the Southern Tigers suddenly enhancing their defensive aggression midway through the first quarter and creating a series of fastbreak opportunities.

Meanwhile, Shanxi missed multiple three-pointers, leading to long rebounds and more transition offense by Guangdong, who led 26-17 at the start of the second quarter.

Du Runwang and Hu Mingxuan continued to make jumpers as the Southern Tigers extended their lead, while the Loongs turned to Hamidou Diallo to stay in the game, trailing by 13 points, 57-44, at the break.

Brandon Goodwin stepped up for Shanxi in the second half. He appeared unstoppable outside the paint, continuously sinking jumpers, and was joined by Liu Chuanxing in drilling shots from downtown. The visitors outscored the hosts 31-21 in the third quarter, cutting the margin to three points, 78-75.

Both teams endured a two-minute field goal drought in the fourth quarter, before Xu Jie's layup gave Guangdong a one-point lead, 89-88. But Goodwin immediately responded with a coast-to-coast attack and a crucial three-pointer. Jia Mingru added a triple, and the Loongs led 96-93 with two minutes left.

Troy Gillenwater was the only player to score for the Southern Tigers the rest of the way, but the veteran forward missed a game-tying jumper with six seconds remaining. The 11-time former CBA champions had no choice but to foul Han Peiyu to stop the clock, and he made both free throws to give Shanxi a four-point lead, 103-99.

Hu then missed a desperation three-pointer and Guangdong went down to their fourth defeat of the season.