In Tuesday night’s CBA playoff quarterfinals Game 2, Liaoning will host Xinjiang. After a 123-116 overtime win in Game 1, Liaoning holds the series lead and is poised to extend their advantage at home.

Liaoning displayed the toughness of defending champions in the opener. Zhao Jiwei led with a game-high 33 points, Wells hit a crucial three-pointer in regulation to force overtime and finished with 29 points, while Oliver recorded a double-double of 20 points and 13 rebounds, making them the core of the victory. Although stars like Han Dejun and Zhang Zhenlin didn’t post eye-catching numbers, their defensive contributions were vital to the win. As a team that has made the playoffs for 13 straight years and won four championships, Liaoning’s postseason experience is a clear advantage.

Last season’s 4-0 sweep of Xinjiang in the finals gives Liaoning a psychological edge. With an impressive 19-4 home record in the regular season and a 1-0 series lead, Liaoning has a strong chance of winning Game 2.

Xinjiang’s Game 1 defeat highlighted their roster’s limitations. Injuries to Zhao Rui, Qi Lin, and the season-ending absence of Li Yanzhe significantly weakened their lineup. Despite Lawson’s 32 points and 12 rebounds in Game 1, the lack of a primary center left their interior vulnerable. Compounding their troubles, Abudushalamu (18.3 points per game) suffered a cervical injury, and foreign player Hagans dislocated his shoulder. Head coach Liu Wei confirmed only 10 players are available for this game. With Qi Lin (21.5 points per game) and Abudushalamu, their top two domestic scorers, sidelined, Xinjiang’s offensive system is severely compromised.

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