The CBA regular season heats up as Guangdong Southern Tigers host Guangzhou Loong Lions in a high-stakes Guangdong derby. While team strategies matter, all eyes are on the elite point guard showdown between Xu Jie and Guo Ailun—a matchup so compelling that CCTV5 will broadcast it live during prime time.
Here’s what makes this game unmissable:
✔ Guo Ailun’s resurgence (67 pts in last 2 games!)
✔ Xu Jie’s fatigue crisis after carrying Guangdong’s backcourt
✔ Guangdong’s playoff push vs Guangzhou’s rebuild mode
✔ Coaching drama: Du Feng’s feud with import Jalen Hudson
1. Team Context: Playoff Hunt vs Rebuilding Pain
Guangdong Southern Tigers (22-12, 5th Place)
The 11-time CBA champions aim for a top-4 finish, but recent turmoil threatens their momentum:
- 34-point loss to Shanghai Sharks (worst defeat this season)
- Du Feng vs Jalen Hudson spat led to the import’s benching
- Overreliance on Xu Jie: With Hu Mingxuan injured, Xu averages 38+ minutes lately, visibly gassed.
From my observation: Guangdong’s 3-point defense collapsed vs Shanghai (allowed 18/41 shooting), exposing rotational flaws.
Guangzhou Loong Lions (7-27, 17th Place)
After trading Li Yanzhe and Chen Yingjun, Guangzhou embraces a youth movement, but Guo Ailun refuses to fade:
- 40 pts vs Beijing BG + 27 pts/12 ast vs Shanxi
- CBA’s most explosive first step (still!)
- Zero pressure: As underdogs, they’ll play freely.
Key stat: Guangzhou’s 6-game losing streak includes 3 OT losses—they compete hard.
2. The Marquee Matchup: Xu Jie vs Guo Ailun
Xu Jie’s Challenges
| Metric | Last 5 Games | Season Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 14.2 | 16.8 |
| Assists | 5.4 | 7.1 |
| 3P% | 31% | 38% |
Fatigue factor: Xu’s defensive intensity dipped (-1.2 steals/game during slump).
Guo Ailun’s Edge
- Isolation mastery: Uses hesitations to blow by defenders.
- Mid-range assassin: Shoots 47% on pull-ups (Xu: 39%).
- Playmaking: Averaging 8.3 ast since ASG.
My take: If Guo exploits Guangdong’s weak interior D (ranked 13th in paint pts allowed), he could drop 30+ again.
3. Tactical Keys: Who Wins the Chess Match?
Guangdong’s Path to Victory
- Reintegrate Jalen Hudson: His 30-pt game won their last meeting.
- Double Guo early: Force Guangzhou’s youngsters (like 17-year-old Wang Zirui) to make plays.
- Bench production: Zhang Haojia must step up (just 6.3 pts post-All-Star).
Guangzhou’s Upset Formula
- Attack Xu Jie: Target him in P&R to exhaust him.
- 3-point barrage: Hit 12+ threes (Guangdong allows 36% opponent 3P).
- Foreigners must deliver: McCaw/Warren/Douglas combined for 48 pts last game—need 60+.
4. Broadcast & Fan Experience
- Where to Watch: CCTV5 (19:35 local time), Tencent Sports (English commentary available).
- Venue: Dongguan Bank Basketball Center (Guangdong’s 87% home win rate).
- Hashtags to Follow: #GuoVsXu / #CBADerby.
Pro tip: Arrive early—the pre-game lion dance is a cultural spectacle!
5. Prediction: Can Guangdong Avoid Disaster?
Despite Guangzhou’s record, this is a trap game for Guangdong:
- Emotional hangover from Shanghai humiliation.
- Guo Ailun’s form vs Xu Jie’s exhaustion.
Final score guess: Guangdong 104-98 Guangzhou (Hudson returns with 25+ pts).
