Recap
Three days ago, Sichuan dominated the first playoff game, winning 105–76 against Shanghai. They controlled every quarter with ease, and no player needed to play more than 24 minutes, highlighting their depth and comfort.
The break between the regular season and the playoffs clearly benefited Sichuan, who now look refreshed and well-prepared. They have also strengthened their roster by signing Ogunwubale (USA) as their third foreign player, further boosting their quality and making them one of the strongest teams in the league.
On the other hand, Shanghai have taken a different approach, choosing not to sign additional foreign players in an effort to promote domestic talent. This decision has weakened them significantly. They have also lost their key player, Chennedy Carter (USA), and are now left with only one foreign player, Hebard.
Squad depth is another major issue for Shanghai, as they rely on just 6–7 solid players, all of whom are forced to play heavy minutes. In the previous game, Hebard even played 35 minutes, which could impact performance over the series.
Sichuan are clearly the superior team at the moment. They are motivated, in better form, and still building chemistry with their new addition.