In Game 2 of the CBA playoff quarterfinals, the Shenzhen team traveled to face the Zhejiang team, holding a 1-0 series lead. Shenzhen played with ease, securing a 95-91 victory and sweeping the series 2-0 to advance to the semifinals. They became the second team after Shanghai to reach the CBA semifinals this season. While their veteran rivals, the Guangdong team, are locked in a do-or-die battle with Beijing for the final semifinal spot, Shenzhen has already secured their place. It seems the moment for Shenzhen to chase their first-ever championship has arrived.
The series between Shenzhen and Zhejiang held little suspense. Shenzhen finished the regular season with a 30-12 record, ranking third in the standings, while Zhejiang was sixth at 27-15. Despite the similar records, the gap in quality was evident. Shenzhen has emerged as this season’s dark horse and one of the strongest contenders for the title. In contrast, Zhejiang, often seen as a nemesis to Liaoning, is merely a playoff-level team without genuine championship aspirations.
Zhejiang advanced to the quarterfinals by sweeping Ningbo 2-0 in the play-in round. In the first game of this series, Shenzhen cruised to a 108-95 home victory, clearly outclassing Zhejiang in both roster depth and team chemistry.
The first quarter saw Zhejiang, facing elimination, take an aggressive approach, scoring 20 points. Shenzhen matched them, and the quarter ended tied. In the second quarter, Shenzhen seized control, putting up 28 points to Zhejiang’s 22, taking a six-point lead into halftime.
After the break, Shenzhen continued to extend their lead in the third quarter, outscoring Zhejiang 24-21 to build a nine-point advantage. In the final quarter, Zhejiang mounted a desperate comeback, scoring 28 points to Shenzhen’s 23, but it wasn’t enough. Shenzhen held on for a 95-91 victory to seal the series.
With this win, Shenzhen became the second team to reach the semifinals, following Shanghai. The other two quarterfinal series are tied 1-1. Meanwhile, regardless of the outcome of Guangdong’s Game 3 against Beijing, Shenzhen has already advanced ahead of their provincial rivals this season.