On the night of May 10, the CBA playoffs quarterfinals saw Shenzhen Marco Polo travel to face Zhejiang Chouzhou Golden Bulls. They triumphed 95-91 on the road, sealing a 2-0 series sweep and booking their spot in the semifinals—becoming one of the first teams to advance.
The first quarter started with Zhejiang capitalizing on home-court advantage, as Cheng Shuai Peng and Li Yuezhou struck from inside and out, setting a fast tempo. Shenzhen quickly stabilized, leaning on stout interior defense to weather the storm. The teams traded blows, ending the period tied at 20.
In the second quarter, Shenzhen unleashed an offensive surge. They tightened their perimeter defense, limiting Zhejiang’s three-point attempts, while their big men dominated the glass and disrupted the opponent’s rhythm. Offensively, Wang Haoran drained mid-range jumpers, and Lu Pengyu sliced through for fast-break finishes. They outscored Zhejiang 28-22 in the period, taking a 48-42 lead into halftime.
After the break, Zhejiang elevated their defensive intensity, pressing Shenzhen’s key players in an attempt to cut the deficit. Cheng Shuai Peng continuously attacked the basket, and Li Yuezhou rediscovered his outside touch, leading a charge. However, Shenzhen maintained their lead through steady scoring and interior dominance.
The fourth quarter turned into a thriller. He Xining, Shenzhen’s star guard, erupted from beyond the arc, igniting the team’s offense. With 6:08 left, he knocked down his fourth three-pointer of the period, pushing the lead to 85-68—a commanding 17-point advantage. But Zhejiang fought back furiously. Shenzhen committed turnovers, and He Xining fouled out with five personals, allowing the margin to shrink to six points. Yet, time ran out, and Shenzhen held on for a 95-91 victory.
Shenzhen displayed balanced scoring, with five players reaching double figures. He Xining led with 23 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals, nailing four threes in the final quarter before fouling out. His heroics were pivotal on both ends.
Smith posted a triple-double with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and 13 assists, orchestrating the offense flawlessly while anchoring the boards. Wang Haoran contributed 19 points with steady mid-range shooting, easing the scoring burden. Lu Pengyu added 13 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 steals, shining defensively and in transition. Aliz added 12 points and 12 rebounds, providing interior presence and rebounding.
Throughout the series, Shenzhen showcased exceptional tactical execution and team cohesion. In Game 1 at home, they dominated on both ends to secure the advantage. In Game 2 on the road, they remained composed despite Zhejiang’s desperate rally and hostile crowd, leaning on tough defense, fluid teamwork, and clutch plays from their stars to complete the sweep.
This semifinal berth marks Shenzhen’s return to the CBA final four after three years. They now await the winner of the Guangsha-Shanxi series as they prepare for the next round.