In a crucial CBA playoff matchup on May 11, the defending champion Guangsha Lions narrowly defeated the Shanxi Loongs 86-81 on the road, avoiding elimination in their second game of the quarterfinal series. The key to Guangsha’s victory was their dominance on the offensive glass, grabbing 18 offensive rebounds throughout the game. Players like Hu Jinqiu, Wu Xiao, and Zhu Junlong secured multiple second-chance opportunities in the fourth quarter, turning the tide.
The turning point came when Shanxi head coach Pan Jiang unexpectedly benched Liu Chuanxing, a 2.25-meter center who had been playing well. Pan opted for Ge Zhaobao, a stretch big man, hoping to match Guangsha’s perimeter shooting. However, without Liu’s size in the paint, Guangsha’s forwards—Hu Jinqiu and Wu Xiao—collected six offensive rebounds in the fourth quarter alone, while Zhu Junlong freely contested shots on the perimeter. Ge Zhaobao’s missed three-pointer in the clutch led to another Hu Jinqiu offensive rebound and a foul on Diyalo, sealing Shanxi’s fate.
Shanxi’s decision to sideline Liu has sparked speculation that he may not be part of the team’s long-term plans. Despite his impressive height, strength, and mid-range shooting, Liu’s limited minutes could lead to a trade request this offseason. With several CBA teams desperate for interior help—especially after Yang Hansen and Yu Jiahao moved overseas—the Guangdong Southern Tigers are reportedly eyeing Liu as a prime target.
For head coach Du Feng, Guangdong’s frontcourt has been a glaring weakness. Jiao Boqiao and Xu Xin are unlikely to return, leaving Wang Shaojie as the only reliable center for the next two to three seasons. Even if Wang is bought out, he lacks the height to match top bigs like Zhou Qi, Wang Zhelin, and Hu Jinqiu. If Shanxi is eliminated by Guangsha as expected, Liu Chuanxing’s availability could be the perfect opportunity for Guangdong to address their interior issues.