In a critical Game 3 of the CBA quarterfinals, Beijing Shougang will face Guangdong Hongyuan at home in a do-or-die matchup. After a strong start in Game 2, coach Xu Limin’s late-game adjustments came under scrutiny, particularly his handling of import players and the use of McGee during overtime.
Beijing has been analyzing their defensive strategies, especially how to contain Guangdong’s Quinn, who exploited Zhou Qi’s inability to step out on pick-and-rolls. To counter this, Beijing plans to activate Williams, a player with strong scoring ability but defensive weaknesses, especially in zone defense. Williams, who previously played in the United States, has struggled with team defensive rotations, but with the season on the line, the team is expected to give him more minutes.
Overall, Beijing holds an edge in roster depth, but their execution in crucial moments has been lacking. Despite the presence of assistant coach Li Nan, the team still needs to improve in-game adaptation. To avoid another collapse under pressure, the coaching staff is emphasizing a simple solution: let the imports take over offensively.
Game details: The third game of the quarterfinal series between Beijing Shougang and Guangdong Hongyuan will tip off at 19:30 on May 12, broadcast live on CCTV.