Sports
10:59, 12-Apr-2018
Guangsha Lions beat Shandong to reach CBA finals for first time
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The Guangsha Lions advanced to the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) finals for the first time in team history after defeating Shandong 105-95 Wednesday night in the league's first-ever Game 7.
Guangsha's Courtney Fortson rises for a jumper over Donatas Motiejunas during Game 7. /VCG Photo
Guangsha's Courtney Fortson rises for a jumper over Donatas Motiejunas during Game 7. /VCG Photo
The seesaw game entered a dead heat at 92 points during the fourth quarter before Guangsha began to pull away. Shandong committed two turnovers and Guangsha took the lead for good before Liu Zheng made a 3-pointer in the last seconds to seal the victory.
Led by Courtney Fortson's 26-point, 12-rebound double-double, Guansha had a total of five players who scored in double figures. Ioannis Bourousis also had a double-double with 18 points and 16 rebounds.
Gunangsha's Sun Minghui (L) and Liu Zheng celebrate their victory. /VCG Photo
Gunangsha's Sun Minghui (L) and Liu Zheng celebrate their victory. /VCG Photo
"My players played a tough game with good defense,” said Guangsha coach Li Chunjiang. “They rallied for the win in the last quarter and everybody learned a lot from this semi-finals series. I hope we will do better in the finals."
Game 1 of the best-of-seven finals will start on April 15 as regular season winners Guangsha host Liaoning.