Chinese Basketball Association's Shandong striving for playoffs

BEIJING: Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) side Shandong Heroes are confident of contending for a playoff spot despite having to play with an all-domestic roster when the league resumes. Shandong's overseas duo of Lester Hudson and James Mays are unable to return to China due to current restrictions on international travel, meaning that Shandong will have to rely entirely on its Chinese players. All Shandong players tested negative for Covid-19 after two rounds of testing, and need to undergo another round after arriving in China's southern city of Dongguan, where they will play their remaining matches in a revised tournament format.

"We will strive to win in every game," said Shandong head coach Gong Xiaobin. "We are ready to play without foreign players. We will play team basketball, and drive our offense through defense." IANS

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