Guangzhou edge unbeaten Beijing 91-90 in overtime

How Guangzhou won the fourth quarter and overtime against Beijing

Guangzhou won both closing periods, 14-12 in the fourth quarter and 16-15 in overtime, to turn a deficit after three quarters into a 91-90 win. Neither period was settled by more than two points.

In a game this tight, the free throw line carried real weight. Tahjere McCall went 10/12 for Guangzhou, while Grant Riller matched him at 10/12 for Beijing.

Beijing had their own reliable hand at the line, as Zou Yuchen finished 8/8 with 3 blocks in 24 minutes. Riller's 5 turnovers, however, weighed heavily in a game lost by 1 point.

Beijing's 27-19 third quarter that set up the finish

The third quarter set up the finish: Beijing won it 27-19 to recover the ground they had lost before half-time. That swing sent Guangzhou into the fourth quarter needing a response.

Guangzhou had built their position in the second quarter, winning it 23-15 after Beijing took the first 21-19. The low-scoring fourth, at 14-12, showed how much both defences tightened once the game was on the line.

Tahjere McCall's 25 points carried Guangzhou

Tahjere McCall carried Guangzhou with 25 points, 7 assists and a PIR of 20 in 30 minutes. He gave the ball away only once, a valuable trait in a one-point game.

His line was built on 6/13 inside the arc, 1/4 from three and those 10 free throws. Guohao Chen supported him with 14 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks in 37 minutes without a turnover.

The bench added depth, with Shane Gatling scoring 10 points with 5 assists and Zhaoyao Yuan making both his threes for 10 points. On the other side, Riller's 26 points and 8 rebounds also earned a PIR of 20, and Zhang Fan added 16.

What the result means for Guangzhou and Beijing in the CBA table

The win lifts Guangzhou to 2-3, 16th of 20, while Beijing drop to 4-1 after their first defeat of the season. Beijing stay second, behind unbeaten Jilin at 5-0.

Zhejiang and Qingdao are also 4-1, so the defeat leaves Beijing with no cushion over the chasing pack. They host no time to dwell on it, facing Sichuan B. Whales on 29 October.

For Guangzhou, a form line of L, W, L, L, W now ends with a win over a team higher in the table. Their next test is Shanxi Loongs on 30 October.