By tf-lawyer.com On October 18th, in the third round of the 2024-2025 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) regular season, the Zhejiang men’s basketball team faced off against Shanxi in their home opener in Shaoxing, where they suffered a 102-112 defeat. This loss handed Shanxi their third consecutive victory to start the season. Throughout the game, Zhejiang struggled to find their shooting rhythm, while Shanxi showcased a revamped roster, highlighted by center Liu Chuanxing’s impressive performance of 18 points and 22 rebounds, playing a crucial role on both ends of the court.
As the new season kicks off, Zhejiang retained their strong domestic lineup led by Wu Qian and Yu Jiahong, and they also welcomed three new foreign players: Damian Jones, Gabi York, and Paris Bass. This talented team, which has come close to the championship title in previous seasons, continues their pursuit of the trophy. Meanwhile, Shanxi bolstered their roster with four foreign players and added Chinese players Jia Mingru, Jiao Hailong, Zhao Xuhong, and Liu Chuanxing, enhancing their competitiveness.
Right from the start, Zhejiang, playing at home, struggled to find their shooting touch, while Shanxi quickly established a solid offensive and defensive rhythm, building a lead. By the end of the first quarter, Zhejiang trailed 28-33.
In the second quarter, Shanxi made an early push with a 7-0 run and continued to widen the gap, featuring crucial plays from Diallo’s three-pointers and Liu Chuanxing’s 2+1 conversion. However, Zhejiang wasn’t willing to lose control of the game easily; Wu Qian and York hit critical three-pointers, and Zhejiang’s tenacious defense started to pay off, closing the scoring gap quickly. Despite this, Shanxi retaliated again, ending the half with a 7-point lead.
As the second half commenced, Shanxi maintained their scoring spree with multiple offensive threats, while Zhejiang struggled to capitalize on outside shots. Yu Jiahong, their main center, showed signs of fatigue after battling inside. In the final quarter, Zhejiang could not turn the tide, ultimately losing with a score of 102-112.
In this match, Zhejiang’s rebounding, shooting percentage, and three-point accuracy fell short compared to their opponents. As a team that finished in the top four last season, they will need to make adjustments in upcoming games. Bass recorded the highest stats for Zhejiang with 26 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Yu Jiahong added 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists. For Shanxi, Diallo led with 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists, while Liu Chuanxing contributed significantly with 18 points and 22 rebounds.
