In a thrilling overtime finish, the Shanghai Sharks edged out the Guangdong Southern Tigers 104-103 on Tuesday night, tying their Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) first-round playoff series at 1-1. The hometown crowd in Shanghai erupted as Tyler Harvey sank a buzzer-beating three-pointer, keeping the Sharks’ postseason hopes alive.
With just 1.6 seconds remaining in overtime and trailing 103-101, Shanghai needed a miracle. Liu Zheng inbounded the ball to Harvey, who, without time to dribble, released a high-arcing shot over the fingertips of a defender. The ball swished through the net as the buzzer sounded, sealing an unforgettable victory.
Harvey was the standout performer of the night, logging 47 minutes and delivering a stellar performance with 33 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Despite limited scoring support—only teammates Wang Zhelin and Li Hongquan also reached double digits—the Sharks managed to pull off the win against a formidable opponent.
The Guangdong Southern Tigers showcased depth and balance, with six players scoring in double figures, including all five starters. Troy Gillenwater led the way with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists, while Xu Jie contributed 21 points, hitting five of his ten three-point attempts.
Guangdong had multiple opportunities to close out the game but couldn’t capitalize. A critical moment came when Hu Mingxuan missed both free throws in the final seconds of overtime, leaving the door open for Shanghai’s comeback.
The series now moves to Dongguan in Guangdong Province for a decisive Game 3 on Friday. With momentum on their side, the Sharks will aim to advance in the postseason, while the Southern Tigers seek redemption on their home court.
