The Guangdong Southern Tigers are intensifying preparations for their crucial Game 3 matchup against the Beijing Ducks, a winner-takes-all battle that will determine which team advances to the CBA semifinals to face the Shanghai Sharks. The game is scheduled for tonight at 7:35 PM, with the team already in Beijing finalizing their pre-game routines.
Footage released by the team’s official account shows players putting in intense work on the court. Xu Jie focused heavily on three-point shooting, knocking down shots with remarkable consistency, looking every bit the sharpshooter. After a less-than-stellar performance in the previous game—though he did grab a critical rebound in the final moments of the fourth quarter—Xu will be eager to carry his practice form into the game and contribute more effectively alongside Hu Mingxuan and Quinn.
Hu Mingxuan, meanwhile, looked relaxed and confident. Rather than focusing on long-range shooting, he worked on his driving layups and acrobatic finishes at the rim. Hu has been outstanding in the first two games, especially in the second life-or-death clash, where he and Quinn carried the team. As captain, he is expected to lead by example once again in this critical contest.
Cui Yongxi also brought energy to the training session, throwing down an alley-oop dunk, while Zhang Haojia and others joined in with powerful slams. The overall atmosphere in the camp was notably light and positive. Head coach Du Feng was seen smiling during a team huddle, suggesting the squad is approaching this decisive game without excessive pressure.
Having already secured one victory on the road in Game 2 with a last-second miracle, Guangdong now faces a tough challenge away from home. With Beijing’s superior roster depth and foreign player quality, the odds are stacked against Guangdong. However, the team seems determined to play freely, focusing on executing their game plan rather than worrying about the outcome. Beijing, led by Zeng Fanbo’s standout Game 1 performance and rebounds from underperforming stars like McGee, Zhao Rui, and Zhou Qi in Game 2, will be desperate to close out the series on home turf.