CBA Finals: Liaoning draw first blood, win Game 1

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Stalwarts Liaoning made a terrific start to the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) finals after they humbled regular season champion Guangsha 120-108, clinching a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven CBA finals in Hangzhou on Sunday.

Liaoning, who had played six CBA finals series in the league's 22-year history, are chasing their elusive CBA title as they bit the dust in all their finals appearances.

For Guangsha, an injury to center Su Ruoyu turned out to be major blow as his side was out-rebounded 47-36, and made six more turnovers than Liaoning.

Liaoning forward Brandon Bass wrapped up the team-best 28 points and 10 rebounds while point guard Guo Ailun and Lester Hudson added 27 and 23, respectively.

Liaoning and Guangsha players in action during Game 1 of the CBA Finals in Hangzhou. /VCG Photo

In the first quarter, Liaoning made six of its 10 attempts beyond the arc.

Meanwhile, Chinese national team point guard Guo exploited the fast breaks to bag 10 points, including a pair of 3-pointers.

Lagging behind 32-21 into the second quarter, Guangsha clawed their way back into the game and went on to overtake the lead, with Courtney Fortson and Zhao Yanhao slamming down straight 3-pointers.

However, Liaoning regained the lead and made it 54-53 into the second half.

Riding their newly-found momentum, Liaoning got better with time and expanded the gap after Zhao Jiwei's 3-pointer guided them to an 88-79 lead into the final period.

In the end, they held on to their lead and registered an emphatic away win. Game 2 will be played in the same city on Tuesday.