The Beijing Royal Fighters battled back late, and then held off the Zhejiang Golden Bulls 107 to 104 on Thursday night. That "edge of the seat" victory continues the Royal Fighters' revival under their new coach, three-time CBA champion Stephon Marbury, as his men bagged four wins in five this season.

After hanging up his sneakers in early 2018, Stephon Marbury decided that coaching would be the next step in his career, and got the call to take charge of the Royal Fighters six month ago. Five games into the new CBA season, he's dealing with all kinds of situations.

"I mean it's an everyday adjustment and challenge," said Marbury, "because you're constantly trying to figure out ways, and how to make the team better. I think for myself getting acclimated into coaching, you know, it's just an everyday step-by-step process and I just take my time."

The Royal Fighters' woeful performance last season meant Marbury would start his career on the sideline building around the number one pick in the CBA Draft, Wang Xiaojie, and the handful of old rivals he brought in to help mentor the top prospect say their coach is making an all-round impact.

"He's played in the CBA for a certain amount, I think over eight years, won many championships, so when you have that type of knowledge, you know, you did what it took to get those championships, and now he's bringing that knowledge to the players," said Jason Thompson, the team's Center.

The experience added to the roster by veterans like Sani Sakakini, Kyle Fogg, Jason Thompson, and Sun Yue also means the Royal Fighters won't be easily counted out of many games in the new term, as they would repeatedly show against the Zhejiang Golden Bulls.

The time for awards is four months away of course, so for now Beikong can enjoy a 4-1 start, after blowing a big lead down the stretch, getting it back in the final 30 seconds, and holding on for a thrilling three-point victory. That also means more heartbreak for Zhejiang, who follow up their opening day win, with a third straight excruciatingly close defeat on the road, leaving these two teams moving in opposite directions.