Beijing eliminated Guangdong, and the most critical turning point of the game came in the second quarter. After struggling offensively in the first quarter, they switched to a dual foreign guard lineup in the second, which immediately revitalized their attack. This allowed Beijing to take the lead and ultimately secure the victory.
However, the key detail was that Zhou Qi initiated the change. He first communicated with Li Nan, sharing his thoughts on the situation. Li Nan then relayed the idea to Xu Limin, who quickly adopted the suggestion and decided to pair Williams with Zhou Qi on the court. At the time, Guangdong was playing a lineup with one big and four smalls, making it easy for Beijing to control the game.
With two foreign guards on the floor together, both Jerman and Williams could handle the ball. Zhou Qi’s strategy was clear: he moved up to set screens for the foreign guards, and similar decisions were made afterward. Since Guangdong lacked height, Zhou Qi could easily dominate them inside while creating opportunities for his teammates. This offensive strategy directly turned the tide.
During that stretch, Williams frequently dished out assists, while Jerman gradually found his rhythm as the game progressed. He not only recorded a triple-double but also added three steals, showcasing his all-around performance.
Seeing the effectiveness, Xu Limin stuck with the dual foreign guard lineup. Since McGee and Spellman did not perform well in this game, the combination of two small foreign guards proved to be the decisive factor in Beijing’s victory.
But it was Zhou Qi’s hunger for the win that stood out the most. When he sensed the game slipping away, he immediately voiced his ideas and demonstrated his ability to read the game clearly. Having a player like him is a tremendous asset for Beijing.