GUANGDONG SOUTHERN TIGERS VS ZHEJIANG GUANGSHA LIONS PREDICTION, ODDS, PICK, TEAM NEWS, H2H 4/20/24

The second stage of the CBA playoffs is underway, commencing with victories by the higher-seeded teams. Among these matchups was a clash between the 4th-seeded Guangdong Southern Tigers and the 5th-seeded Zhejiang Guangsha Lions, with the home team emerging triumphant with a scoreline of 120-100. In the previous playoffs, the Lions orchestrated an upset despite Guangdong clinching the first game. Can history repeat itself for the Lions? Our analysis of the upcoming quarterfinal playoff match is in the article below.

GUANGDONG SOUTHERN TIGERS VS ZHEJIANG GUANGSHA LIONS Prediction

After witnessing the first game, it’s evident that Guangdong is the superior team. Despite the visitors’ aspirations for an upset, encouraged by a relatively healthy Sun Minghui, those hopes were shattered in the opening quarter. The Southern Tigers swiftly took control of the match, winning the first period by 40-21.

The Southern Tigers appeared more poised for the encounter, a fact not surprising given their 12-day rest period compared to the Lions, who had to play extra games in the 1/8 Finals. Capitalizing on more steals and rebounds and minimizing turnovers, the Southern Tigers had a staggering 18 additional field goal attempts. Along with the Lions’ terrible 20% shooting from beyond the arc, the outcome seemed inevitable – a resounding blowout in favor of the Southern Tigers.

Furthermore, the significance of home-court advantage in the playoffs cannot be overstated, with the home teams winning 12 out of 13 games thus far. Considering these factors, we believe the Southern Tigers will maintain their dominance, securing a 2-0 series lead while once again covering the spread.

GUANGDONG SOUTHERN TIGERS VS ZHEJIANG GUANGSHA LIONS GAME INFO

• Date: Saturday, 20th April, 2024
• Time: 13:35 CEST
• Arena: Dongguan Basketball Center
• Location: Dongguan

GUANGDONG SOUTHERN TIGERS HOME-COURT ADVANTAGE

Throughout the season, Guangdong boasted an outstanding 77% win rate at home, but their performance in the latter stages of the season was particularly remarkable. They clinched victory in eight consecutive matches, notably defeating five playoff-bound teams: Zhejiang Guangsha (twice), Guangzhou Loong Lions, Beijing Royal Fighters, and the regular season champions, Liaoning Flying Leopards. Notably, Guangdong only failed to cover the spread against the Royal Fighters.

At the same time, Guangsha is also heavily reliant on the home court, and their road performances in the second part of the season are the primary reason why the Lions failed to secure the top four spots. In the last 16 road games, the Lions only won twice, so it is really difficult to make a case for them upsetting the heavily favored Guangdong. 

GUANGDONG SOUTHERN TIGERS TEAM NEWS

Chinese media reports indicate that the owners/sponsors have promised big bonuses for the players if they successfully eliminate the Lions and exact revenge for last season’s playoff defeat. This undoubtedly serves as an additional motivator for Guangdong’s players.

ZHEJIANG GUANGSHA LIONS TEAM NEWS

Lions’ star player Sun Minghui missed the first two games in the playoffs against Shanxi Loongs due to injury, and his fitness is a big question mark. His numbers in the last two games are not even remotely close to his average from the regular season. He averaged 8.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, 0.9 assists, and 1.8 steals less than in the regular season. 

According to basketball pundits, the Lions wanted to exploit Sun’s height advantage against Xu Jie, but that plan failed terribly. Sun finished the game with 14 points while shooting 4/12 from the field. He will surely need to raise his performance level to give the Lions a chance, but it is questionable if he is 100% ready. 

GUANGDONG SOUTHERN TIGERS VS ZHEJIANG GUANGSHA LIONS H2H

This season, the teams clashed three times in the regular season and once in the playoffs. Guangdong emerged victorious in all three regular-season encounters, each triumph occurring on their home turf. Conversely, Guangsha managed to secure a single win, which they achieved on their own court.

• Apr 18th, 2024 – Guangdong Southern Tigers vs Zhejiang Guangsha Lions – 120:100
• Mar 29th, 2024 – Guangdong Southern Tigers vs Zhejiang Guangsha Lions – 131:78
• Jan 26th, 2024 – Zhejiang Guangsha Lions vs Guangdong Southern Tigers – 105:91
• Dec 29th, 2023 – Guangdong Southern Tigers vs Zhejiang Guangsha Lions – 106:95

In the previous playoffs, Guangsha upset Guangdong 2:1 in the same stage of the tournament. However, the league adopted a different format this season, and the quarterfinals are played in a best-of-five. 

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