Jarnell Stokes#2 of Xinjiang scores 40 points in their team's victory against Zhejiang. /VCG Photo
Kay Felder's clutch shot helped Xinjiang overcome Zhejiang 146-138 in two overtimes as defending champions Guangdong beat Sichuan 118-115 in the 2nd round of the 2019-20 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league on Tuesday.
Zhejiang had a good start as Wu Qian chipped in 11 points for a 17-14 lead. Jarnell Stokes came off the bench and gave Xinjiang what they needed to outscore 30-29 in the first quarter.
Xinjiang made three steals that sparked a string of 11 straight points for a 14-point lead midway through the second when Zhejiang's offense bogged down. Zhang Zhengxin ended Zhejiang's drought with a hook shot as they cut down the deficit to 59-54 before the halftime break.
Wu Qian knocked down a 3-pointer before Zhu Xuhang added another to regain the lead 71-69 for Zhejiang. Thanks to Stokes' outburst in paint area, Xinjiang charged back for a 87-85 lead to go into the fourth quarter.
Zhejiang's Marcus Denmon found his hot hands in the fourth, as he was so dominant and scored 13 straight points to regain control.
Abdusalam made a basket to get 116-114 lead with 47.1 seconds remaining after Denmon hit a jump shot from beyond the arc.
Denmon sank two free throws to tie it up before Stokes missed a 3-pointer as the match went to the first overtime.
Zhejiang's clutch stretch was capped by a shot from Cheng Shuaipeng for a 131-128 lead, but the hard situation seemed to motivate Abdusalam, who was fouled and made three free throws, saving Xinjiang and pushed the game into the second overtime.
Kay Felder hit five points in a row to collect the tough win for Xinjiang.
Stokes scored 40 points, followed by Zhou Qi, who collected a double-double with 24 points and 20 rebounds.
Denmon hit a game-high 50 points for Zhejiang, while Wu Qian added 28.
Marshon Brooks#6 hits 35 points for Guangdong. /VCG Photo
In the game Guangzhou won against Sichuan, Marshon Brooks scored 35 points, Yi had 33 and Sonny Weems added 31 for Guangdong, making Courtney Fortson's game-high 41 points all in vain for Sichuan.
The home team scored 51 points in the second quarter to lead 72-51 into the halftime break. Sichuan fought back hard in the third and cut the deficit to only nine points by the end of the quarter. Guangdong held the slender advantage and sealed the victory at the final minute.