On May 12, the CBA playoffs continued with a decisive Game 3 between Beijing and Guangdong at Beijing’s home court. After splitting the first two games 1-1, this winner-take-all contest determined which team would advance to the semifinals to face Shanghai. Zhou Qi delivered 18 points and 8 rebounds, leading Beijing to an 88-73 win and eliminating Guangdong from the postseason.
In the first round, Guangdong fought hard to overcome Guangzhou in a three-game series, winning two straight after an initial loss. Beijing entered the quarterfinals directly as the fourth seed in the regular season, having swept both regular-season meetings against Guangdong.
The physically intense game saw both teams battling hard from the opening tip. Guangdong started strong, building a 21-15 lead in the first quarter, fueled by Hu Mingxuan’s two three-pointers. However, Beijing responded with an 18-0 run in the second quarter, turning the deficit into a 40-35 halftime lead.
As the game progressed, Beijing’s interior advantage became increasingly apparent. Zhou Qi dominated on both ends of the floor, finishing with 18 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 4 blocks. Chen Yingjun hit a key three-pointer late in the fourth quarter, extending Beijing’s lead to 11 points and effectively ending Guangdong’s hopes.
For Guangdong, the worst performer was Xu Jie, who went 0-for-3 from the field and failed to score, recording a minus-10 plus-minus. After the elimination, Guangdong faces a potential rebuild during the offseason.
The game featured dramatic swings, including a brief altercation in the fourth quarter between Chen Yingjun and Zhang Haoka, resulting in unsportsmanlike fouls on both sides. Beijing’s superstar Jeremy Lin recorded 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists for a triple-double, while Zhou Qi’s presence in the paint was overwhelming.
Guangdong’s struggles extended beyond scoring; they allowed Beijing to dominate the boards and convert second-chance opportunities. Du Feng’s squad had no answer for Zhou Qi’s rim protection, which disrupted their offensive rhythm throughout the second half.
With this victory, Beijing advances to face Shanghai in the semifinals, while Guangdong exits the playoffs after a disappointing series. Postgame statistics highlight Zhou Qi’s impact, as his +18 rating was the highest among all players.
