Beijing trounces Shanxi to set up CBA Finals meeting with top-seeded Guangsha

The Beijing Ducks defeated the Shanxi Loongs 121-103 at home on Friday to wrap up their best-of-five semifinal series 3-0, advancing to the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) Finals for the first time in 10 years.

The two sides engaged in a tight opening half. With the score tied at 15-15 in the first quarter, Brandon Goodwin's layup helped Shanxi grab a two-point edge. Eugene German drilled a three-pointer as Beijing cut the deficit to one, but the Loongs got a triple from Zhang Ning to increase their lead to six.

German's three helped the Ducks move in front by one in the second quarter. The hosts continued to battle back with German finding Anunwa Omot for a dunk that further narrowed the gap. German later set up Omot for a triple that put the hosts ahead.

Chen Ying-Chun dished to Zhou Qi for a dunk that extended Beijing's edge to five, with the veteran center on his way to pocketing totals of 19 points and 11 rebounds.

Chen's three helped the Ducks maintain their advantage, before German drove in for a layup that pushed the home side's cushion to 15.

Zhang responded with a triple to chip away, as Shanxi tried hard to get back into the hunt. Jia Mingru found Zhang for a breakaway layup after a steal, and Beijing had to call a timeout. The hosts quickly regrouped and German's layup at the buzzer gave the Ducks a 23-point going lead into the final quarter.

The American finished with a game-high 43 points to help Beijing seal the 18-point win and return to the CBA Finals after a decade out of title contention. They will face the Guangsha Lions in the best-of-seven championship series, which tips off on May 7.