Shandong vs Liaoning Preview: Gao Shiyuan’s Explosive Form Faces Old Team; Liaoning Aims to Avoid Back-to-Back Losses Away from Home

On October 26, the 7th round of the CBA league features a key matchup as Shandong High Speed hosts defending champion Liaoning Bensteel. After six games, Shandong High Speed has a record of 4 wins and 2 losses, placing them 6th in the league with an average score of 108.3 points per game and allowing 104 points per game. Liaoning Bensteel stands at 5 wins and 1 loss, ranking 4th in the league with an average of 111.2 points scored and 93.5 points allowed per game. In their last match, Liaoning Bensteel suffered a 100-103 home loss to Shanxi Fenjiu after being outscored 9-0 in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter, marking their first defeat of the season. Four players from Liaoning Bensteel scored in double digits, with Freddie Feger scoring 30 points on 12-of-17 shooting and adding 6 rebounds. Sha Yoke contributed 21 points, Wang Lanxin 12 points, and Li Xiaoxu 10 points. Zhao Jiwei added 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists but also had 6 turnovers. Fu Hao contributed 6 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Achur added 2 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.

In their last game, Shandong High Speed secured a hard-fought 121-118 home victory over Shenzhen Marco Polo in overtime, extending their winning streak to three games. Gao Shiyuan was in top form, scoring a career-high 43 points on 13-of-20 shooting, along with 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals, hitting 6 of 9 three-pointers. Foreign player Wigington scored 30 points on 10-of-23 shooting, Chen Peidong contributed 14 points, Ge Li 13 points, Guo Kai 8 points and 15 rebounds, Tao Hanlin 6 points and 7 rebounds, and Chris 5 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. So far this season, Shandong High Speed has six players averaging double-digit points: Wigington (23.7 points, 4.7 assists), Ge Li (21 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.8 steals), Gao Shiyuan (15 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 3.2 steals), Chris (13.7 points, 7.7 rebounds), Chen Peidong (10.3 points), and Tao Hanlin (10.2 points, 5.8 rebounds).

Liaoning Bensteel has five players averaging double-digit points: Feger (28.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 3.8 threes per game), Sha Yoke (17.8 points, 4.2 rebounds), Achur (12.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2 blocks), Zhao Jiwei (11 points, 6.8 assists, 1.7 steals), Han Dejun (10.5 points, 5 rebounds), Fu Hao (8.5 points), Wang Lanxin (7.3 points), and Li Xiaoxu (5.7 points). Compared to the rebuilding Shandong High Speed and the three-time defending champions Liaoning Bensteel, Liaoning Bensteel is clearly the stronger team. Historically, in 70 meetings, Shandong High Speed has only 21 wins against 49 losses, putting them at a significant disadvantage. However, under the leadership of Qiu Biao, Shandong High Speed has gradually regained some of its former glory, playing a tough and aggressive style of basketball with strong defense. They are currently the team with the most steals and fouls in the CBA, and their offensive rebounds rank third in the league, ahead of Liaoning Bensteel. With Gao Shiyuan’s improved form and the advantage of playing at home, it won’t be easy for Liaoning Bensteel to secure an easy win.