CBA Playoffs: Fujian and Jiangsu make triumphant start
In the ongoing Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) Playoffs, seventh-seeded Fujian Sturgeons got better off tenth-seeded Jilin Northeast Tigers in the first game of their best-of-three first round series on Sunday. The newly crowned domestic MVP, Wang Zhelin, led Fujian to the postseason for their first time in seven years and continued his sublime form at home to put the Sturgeons ahead in the series.
Earlier, Wang received the MVP trophy from Liu Yudong, a former Fujian forward and two-time CBA MVP, just before the tip-off.
Midway through the first quarter, Andrew Nicholson went hard to the rack for two of his 29 points and the Sturgeons were leading 14-9.
Then Tian Guisen, Pooh Jeter and Zhao Tailong sank a series of triples for the hosts as they were leading by six points going into the second quarter.
Huang Yichao added another of Fujian's nine threes in the first half.
Wang Zhelin (R) receives MVP trophy ahead of Fujian's CBA Playoff game against Jilin Northeast Tigers in Jinjiang, southeast China's Fujian Province, March 17, 2019. /VCG Photo
Subsequently, Chen Linjian did not spare the flair with this flashy reverse as the Sturgeons extended their lead to 64-46 at the break.
Early in the third quarter, Wang dunked hard on Dominique Jones while Jilin's Maciej Lampe drained three of his 20 points this quarter.
The Pole went on to score 43 points, including back to back threes to trim the deficit to five.
With three minutes to go, Wang's unnecessary foul on Cui Jinming resulted in him tying it at 105.
But Fujian retook the lead and with six seconds left, Chen's three-pointer sealed the deal. The Sturgeons won 111-105 for a 1-0 lead in the series.
Jiangsu Dragon players celebrate after their CBA Playoff victory against Shandong Team in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, March 17, 2019. /VCG Photo
Meanwhile, Shandong hosted the Jiangsu Dragons but the hosts ended up going down fighting against their rivals in a nail-biting contest.
Zhang Qingpeng sank four three-pointers in the first quarter and the Golden Stars led by ten.
But Shi Hongfei hit two deep shots and Jiangsu trailed by nine.
Wu Guanxi then rejected Ty Lawson and finished with a career best seven blocks.
In the fourth quarter, two more threes from Shi tied things at 87.
However, with five minutes left, the 26-year-old Shi hit from way back and the Dragons extended their lead by four.
With nine seconds left, Miroslav Raduljica made a free throw en route to finishing 30 points and 13 rebounds. Ninth seeded Jiangsu overturned an 18-point deficit in the final quarter to win 103-101 for a 1-0 lead.