CBA Finals: Guangdong make winning start against Xinjiang

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The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) Finals got underway in Dongguan where eight-time champions and top-seeded Guangdong Southern Tigers hosted old rivals and number three seeds the Xinjiang Flying Tigers in Game 1 on Friday.

The opening night saw a high-scoring game in which the title contenders from South China registered a 142-123 victory over their rivals from northwest China in spectacular fashion.

The Tigers, who were anything but strangers, went head-to-head for the fifth time in the championship series after the Southern Tigers won the first three meetings in 2009, '10 and '11 before the Flying Tigers turned the tables for their maiden crown two years ago.

CBA President Yao Ming watched the championship opener at Dongguan Arena.

Yao Ming (2nd, L) attends a ceremony after the CBA Finals Game 1, during which Guangdong had a 142-123 victory over Xinjiang in Dongguan, south China's Guangdong Province, April 26, 2019. /VCG Photo

The home boys were quick starters and good passers which they showed while setting up Yi Jianlian for three of his team-high 29 points and a 14-9 lead in the opening quarter.

They were also no slouches on defense as Zhou Peng made a nice block on Zeng Lingxu from behind before Abdusalam Abdurexit tied it at 27 on his way to 19 points for Xinjiang.

Guangdong went on a nine-point run, and Yi's two-hand dunk saw them lead 42-33 after the first quarter.

In the second, Xinjiang bounced back with American Jarnell Stokes scoring six points to cut the deficit to only one. The 25-year old went on to have a game-high 38 points.

The home side sped up after Guangdong coach Du Feng called a timeout and subsequently, the pep talks helped them open another advantage. Marshon Brooks made it 75-61 at the end of a high-scoring half.

Guangdong were able to cruise from there and Zhou's three from the corner helped put it to bed. He scored 24 points on the night as Guangdong garnered a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven finals. Game 2 will be played in Dongguan on Sunday.

Guangdong's head coach Du Feng said, "Xinjiang limited our attacks in Game 1, and they gave us many tough minutes at the beginning of the game. Our players carried out our game plan well, and we were lucky to win the game."