Beijing Ducks open CBA Finals with comeback win over Guangsha Lions

The Beijing Ducks surged from behind to defeat the Guangsha Lions 101-87 in Game 1 of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) Finals on the road in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, on Wednesday, leading 1-0 in the best-of-seven series.

Six players scored in double digits for Beijing, led by Eugene German's 24. Chen Ying-chun made six three-pointers from 13 attempts to contribute 23 points, while both Zhou Qi and Fan Ziming tallied double-doubles. Zhou posted 13 points and 14 rebounds while Fan added 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Hu Jinqiu poured in a game-high 26 points while also grabbing eight rebounds for Guangsha, but was the only player to record more than 15 points for the home side. Lions point guard Sun Minghui missed 13 of his 15 shots from the field, including all nine from three-point range, closing the contest with five points, six rebounds, and five assists.

Nathan Knight, Barry Brown, and Hu looked strong early, staking Guangsha to a 34-24 lead at the end of the first quarter. Knight contributed 11 points in the period.

The Lions followed up by opening the second quarter with a 17-3 run, extending their advantage to 14 points at 41-27.

Beijing then increased its physical intensity at both ends of the floor. Zhou, Nuni Omot, Fan, and Zach Nutall all drew fouls and sank crucial free throws, helping the Ducks outscore the top seeds 31-21 in the period to pull level, 55-55, at halftime.

Chen drilled a trio of three-pointers in the third quarter to help Beijing take a 10-point lead at 69-59. Guangsha repeatedly relied on Hu and Brown to cut into the deficit. After Sun set up Hu for a three-pointer at the end of the period, the Lions trailed 81-78.

Chen, Zhou, and German combined to propel Beijing to a 9-0 run at the start of the fourth quarter, increasing their lead to 90-78. Meanwhile, the third-seeded visiting side's defense remained solid, limiting Guangsha to just nine points in the final period.

After Chen drained his sixth three-pointer of the night, the Ducks led 101-84 with less than two minutes left, and the hosts were not able to come back.

The Lions will host Game 2 in Hangzhou on Friday.