CBA Playoffs: Shenzhen beat Beijing, Guangdong move ahead
In the ongoing CBA Playoffs quarterfinals, Shenzhen Leopards defeated hosts Beijing Ducks 116-110 to win their first game of the best-of-five quarter-finals series. The Shanghai side's crucial away win on Saturday helped them cut the series deficit to 2-1 and stay in contention for the next stage.
The Game Three saw Dwight Buycks and Leopards fighting hard to avoid the end of their season and keeping their hopes afloat.
Earlier, Beijing got off to a good start as Fang Shuo scored with the underhanded shot in the first quarter.
Dwight Buycks (L) of Shenzhen Leopards catches the ball during their CBA game against Beijing Ducks in Beijing, China, March 30, 2019. /VCG Photo
Four and a half minutes into the third quarter, Shenzhen's Lu Yiwen's three tied it at 66. Lu eventually finished with 21 points and seven out of ten on three-pointers.
The intensity, however, increased in the final quarter. Shenzhen's center Shen Zijie twisted his ankle while fighting for the ball on the floor. But after some minutes of rest and simple treatment, the 22-year-old returned to the court.
With less than two minutes left, Beijing suffered a vital blow when point-guard Fang, who scored 22 on Saturday night, fouled out.
Beijing, in no time, regained the lead when Aaron Jackson found Zhu Yanxi and his corner three made it 100-98 for the hosts.
But Buycks scored four points in a row to tie it at 102.
Zhu had a chance to win it in the final seconds, but his effort was off the rim and overtime was needed.
Buycks dominated the extra session as the American point-guard had a game-high 35 points with Shenzhen pulling one game back. Beijing now lead the series 2-1.
Yi Jianlian (C) lifts his right arm to encourage his teammates from Guangdong Dongguan Southern Tigers during their CBA game against Jiangsu Dragons in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, March 30, 2019. /VCG Photo
Meanwhile, in another game of the night, Yi Jianlian gave the top-seeded Guangdong Dongguan Southern Tigers a 21-11 lead on the road against the Jiangsu Dragons in Game.
Guangdong players, who were leading the series 2-0, were in complete control by the end of the first quarter as Yi dropped another deuce to make it 30-17.
Zhao Rui was dialed in from a distance and made 6 out of 7 three-pointers – his career best in a single game. He finished with a team-high 26 points for the Southern Tigers.
The Southern Tigers eventually won 135-108 to sweep the series and book their place in the semifinals.