CBA playoffs: Guangdong edge Shanghai, Beikong beat Shandong

Hu Mingxuan scored 31 points as the Guangdong Southern Tigers overcame the Shanghai Sharks 102-98 in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) playoffs on Saturday.

Troy Gillenwater added 28 points for Guangdong, while Wang Zhelin scored a team-high 22 points for Shanghai.

The two sides tied at 95-95 with only 12 seconds to go, before Hu made a decisive 3-pointer.

Shanghai started strongly with a 5-0 run and led 25-24 in the first quarter. Hu scored eight points in a row in a 10-1 run for Guangdong, who took a 44-40 lead at halftime.

After the break, Shanghai stormed to an 18-0 run thanks to Tyler Harvey's three 3-pointers and regained a 69-66 lead entering the fourth quarter. The final quarter saw the scoreline seesawed until Hu made the decider.

"It was a tough match and I am happy we got a good start at home for the playoffs. The away matches will be even tougher and we should be well prepared," Guangdong's coach Du Feng said.

Elsewhere, Grant Riller scored a game-high 30 points as The Beijing Royal Fighters edged the Shandong Heroes 104-99.

Grant Riller found Zou Yuchen who dunked to help the Royal Fighters take a 9-points lead. Jared Sullinger nailed a corner three to make it 46-32 for Beikong.

Riller went coast to coast and added a deuce, and Beikong enlarged the lead by 6. The former NBA forward hit a long distance three to end the third quarter 79-70.

Shandong fought hard but still trailed. Jarmar Gulley nailed a triple to cut the deficit to 6. But Zhang Fan scored a corner three to put the icing on the cake for Beikong.