The Chinese men's basketball team has secured the runner-up position in the Asian Cup! With just 3.9 seconds remaining and trailing by one point, why didn't they go for a two-pointer inside?

On August 18, Beijing time, the Asian Cup concluded. Despite leading for most of the game, the Chinese men's basketball team ultimately fell short at the last moment, losing 89-90 to Australia. They regrettably had to settle for second place, which is their best performance in the Asian Cup in nearly ten years, while Australia achieved a strong three-peat!

Both the Chinese and Australian men's basketball teams showcased significant dominance in this tournament, both advancing to the finals with five consecutive wins. The two teams were set to clash in an intense battle. The Chinese team was at a disadvantage compared to Australia, making victory seem unlikely. Before the game, we maintained a relaxed mindset, hoping to avoid a heavy defeat. In the end, the Chinese team nearly pulled off a stunning upset, falling just one point short!

In this match against the Australian men's basketball team, we were well-prepared. We combined inside and outside plays effectively from the start, with Hu Jinqiu consistently scoring inside and Hu Mingxuan providing strong outside shooting. The two players helped the Chinese team build a lead that extended to 15 points. However, the Australian team quickly responded, launching a counterattack that erased the deficit. The game then turned into a back-and-forth battle, with the score fluctuating without either team gaining a significant advantage. In the final moments, Australia led by one point, but with only 3.9 seconds left, the Chinese team had possession and a chance to win. After calling a timeout to strategize, Hu Mingxuan created an opportunity for a three-pointer, but it missed, bouncing off the rim. So close! Ultimately, the Chinese team fell short, losing by one point to Australia and finishing as runners-up!

After the Chinese men's basketball team lost, many fans were puzzled as to why they opted for a three-pointer, especially since they were only down by one point. A two-pointer could have also secured the win. However, taking the three-pointer was indeed the most logical strategy given the circumstances. With only 3.9 seconds left, there wasn't enough time to penetrate the defense for a foul. Besides, getting inside against a team like Australia isn't easy. Thus, it was reasonable to let the hot-handed Hu Mingxuan attempt the three-pointer, even though he slipped and missed, which still gave Australia a scare!

The Chinese men's basketball team performed admirably in this match, but unfortunately, the overall strength of the Australian team was too great. We were just a bit short, which is the nature of competitive sports. Although we didn't win the championship, the grit and determination displayed by this Chinese team moved many fans!

By: Sports Novel