Guangdong Southern Tigers opened their Chinese Basketball Association clash with a statement, defeating the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions 96-78 at home on October 22, 2026. The 19:35 tip-off produced a measured, physical contest, but Guangdong’s depth, defensive discipline, and a decisive third-quarter run turned a competitive first half into a comfortable victory.

Match overview

Guangdong controlled the scoreboard from the opening minutes and never allowed Zhejiang Guangsha to settle into a rhythm. The hosts won every quarter, gradually stretching the margin before pulling away for good after halftime.

• First quarter: Guangdong 24-19
• Second quarter: Guangdong 23-20
• Third quarter: Guangdong 27-18
• Fourth quarter: Guangdong 22-21
• Final score: Guangdong Southern Tigers 96, Zhejiang Guangsha Lions 78

Third-quarter surge breaks the game open

Leading 47-39 at halftime, Guangdong made its move immediately after the restart. The Southern Tigers increased their defensive pressure on the ball, forced Guangsha into contested jump shots, and converted several transition opportunities into quick points. A 27-18 third quarter pushed the advantage to 74-57 and took much of the drama out of the final ten minutes.

Guangsha’s offense had moments of promise, particularly when Sun Minghui created off the dribble and Hu Jinqiu found space inside, but the visitors could not string together enough stops to mount a serious comeback. Every time Guangsha threatened to cut the deficit, Guangdong answered with a composed possession or a timely defensive play.

Defensive foundation

Holding a talented Guangsha side to 78 points was the headline of the night for Guangdong. The hosts contested the perimeter, protected the paint with timely help rotations, and limited second-chance points. That defensive work allowed Guangdong’s guards to play with freedom at the other end, where ball movement and balanced scoring kept the visitors guessing.

Standout performers

Guangdong’s backcourt set the tone, with Hu Mingxuan and Xu Jie dictating tempo and making key shots when the game was still in the balance. Du Runwang’s spacing and activity on the wing gave the offense another dimension, while the frontcourt delivered the rebounding and physicality needed against Guangsha’s interior threats.

For Zhejiang Guangsha, Sun Minghui was the primary engine, probing the defense and creating looks for teammates. Hu Jinqiu remained efficient around the basket, but Guangsha needed more consistent outside shooting to stretch Guangdong’s defense. The Lions’ bench also struggled to match Guangdong’s production, which proved costly over the closing stages.

What the result means

The win gives Guangdong Southern Tigers a valuable early-season result against one of the CBA’s established contenders. It also reinforces their reputation for winning with defense and depth, two qualities that matter greatly over a long Chinese Basketball Association season. For Zhejiang Guangsha Lions, the loss is a reminder that road games against elite opponents demand cleaner execution on both ends. The result will be reflected in the CBA standings and adds another layer to the ongoing head-to-head narrative between two teams with genuine postseason ambitions.