On the stage of the CBA Finals, every game is a severe test of the team's overall strength and tactical adaptability. Last night, in the Benxi Gymnasium in Liaoning, the atmosphere was warm and extraordinary, and the cheers of the audience almost ran through the entire game. As the defending champions, the Liaoning men's basketball team showed their ability to perform well in a high-pressure environment, and finally defeated their fierce rival Xinjiang men's basketball team 121-112. This game is not only a contest of scoring, but also a confrontation of strategy and psychology.
At the beginning of the game, the Liaoning team quickly entered the state, and established a lead through quick counterattacks and tight defense at the beginning. In particular, the Liaoning team's guard line played well, and frequently contributed points to the team through accurate outside projection and breakthroughs that penetrated the Xinjiang team's defense. Liaoning's efficient offensive makes the Xinjiang team's defense appear slightly passive, especially in the protection of the basket.
For the Xinjiang team, this game was a bitter experience. As the heart and soul of the team, Abdul Salamu's sluggish performance directly affected the team's combat effectiveness. He shot just 25% from the field throughout the game, which was undoubtedly a huge blow to a regular season MVP. Abdul Salamu tried a variety of scoring methods in the game, including mid-to-long-range jumpers and strong attacks under the basket, but often ended in failure due to the opposition's dense defense.
Qiu Biao, the head coach of the Xinjiang team, also mentioned the problem of the team's slow start after the game, which is not only the backwardness of the score, but also the lack of game rhythm and mentality. After the opening, the Xinjiang team appeared too impatient on the offensive end and did not enforce tactical discipline well, which directly led to a high turnover rate and inefficient offensive rounds.
Liaoning's head coach Yang Ming has clearly done his homework. Not only did they deploy tight individual defenses against Abdul Salamu, but they also cut off his coordination with the rest of the team through teamwork. On the defensive end, the Liaoning team successfully consumed the physical strength of the main players of the Xinjiang team through continuous personnel rotation and position swaps, and also reduced the ball possession of Abdul Salamu.
On the offensive end, the Liaoning team used fast player conversion and wide space development, which made the Xinjiang team's defense frequently porous. Liaoning's perimeter players created a lot of shooting opportunities through continuous movement and cover, which was the key to their ability to stay ahead of the game. The Liaoning team's tactical flexibility and efficient execution made the Xinjiang team's defense exhausted and difficult to form an effective resistance.
On the basketball court, the mindset can often make or break the direction of the game. For the Xinjiang team, the adjustment of mentality after the first defeat is particularly crucial. Abdul Salamu said after the match that despite the poor individual performance, he believes the whole team has the ability to bounce back. This positive mindset is necessary for any top team to succeed. In the long run, Xinjiang will need to strengthen their mental resilience in the following games, especially in the face of adversity.
The coaching staff of the Xinjiang team also needs to learn from the defeat in this game and re-examine the tactical layout and the psychological regulation of the players. For example, they can consider adopting a more robust strategy early in the game to avoid a large margin at the start, as well as strengthening psychological counselling to help players stay calm at key moments.
The first matchup of this CBA Finals is not only the victory or defeat of a basketball game, but also the result of a combination of strategy, psychology, technology and other factors. The outstanding performance of the Liaoning team and the temporary setback of the Xinjiang team have added more highlights and suspense to the next game. The next game will undoubtedly be a contest of skill and will, and it will also be another test of the comprehensive strength and adjustment ability of the two teams. Fans can look forward to more exciting and intense matchups, and these games will undoubtedly continue to write a wonderful chapter in the CBA.