In the second game of the CBA quarterfinals, Shanxi fell short against Guangsha, losing 86-81 and missing the chance to advance early. The series is now tied 1-1, and the next game will be played at Guangsha’s home court, making it even tougher for Shanxi.
Guangsha, having lost the first game in a best-of-three format, had no room for error. They played with exceptional intensity and desire, seizing every opportunity to fight for possession.
Despite this, Shanxi still had a chance to win, especially in the fourth quarter when 2.25-meter Liu Chuanxing was on the court. His presence boosted both their offense and defense, giving them a realistic opportunity to turn the game around.
However, surprisingly, Coach Pan Jiang decided to bench Liu Chuanxing just as he was playing at his best, giving up the team’s interior height and most reliable scoring option in the paint.
CBA commentator Duan Ran expressed confusion over this decision, publicly questioning Pan Jiang: “Liu Chuanxing was very effective on the court, so why wasn’t he given more playing time? What was the reason?”
Liu Chuanxing played only 7 minutes, making all three of his field goal attempts (100% shooting) for 6 points and 2 rebounds, with a plus-minus of +4. These numbers clearly show his positive impact. Benching him under such circumstances was evidently a questionable move.
To be honest, the main reason Shanxi lost this game was Coach Pan Jiang’s questionable decisions, particularly regarding Liu Chuanxing’s usage. Additionally, his choice of foreign players was problematic. Small foreign guard Nate had a terrible performance, failing to score in the first three quarters while accumulating turnovers and fouls. Yet Pan Jiang stuck with him, even putting him back in during the fourth quarter. In short, the biggest factor in Shanxi’s loss was Coach Pan Jiang.
What do you think, fans?