Stokes leads Xinjiang past Liaoning to take 3-1 lead in CBA Playoffs

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02:03

In the ongoing Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) playoffs, the Xinjiang Flying Tigers have now taken a 3-1 lead in their best of seven semi-final series against the defending champions, the Liaoning Flying Leopards. A 107-81 victory at home saw Xinjiang's Jarnell Stokes star yet again with a double-double to place his side one game away from another trip to the finals.

In the opening quarter, Abudushalamu Abudurexiti drove into the paint to put Xinjiang 8-2 in the lead. Yu Changdong then shot from downtown to extend the lead to 11-2 not long later.

Trailing by 11, Zhao Jiwei added three more as the visitors looked to make a comeback. Zhao then drained another triple from almost an identical position with the first buzzer fast approaching.

Stokes dominated the second quarter with 13 points and helped put his team into a 50-37 advantage. He eventually had a game-high 31 points and 12 rebounds. Liaoning only shot 38.6 percent from the floor, with Lester Hudson and Brandon Bass combining for 39 points.

Xinjiang went in front by 18 after Yu added a couple in the third. Yu's 3-pointer eventually gave the home side a lead of 29 in the fourth quarter as they notched up an easy victory to inch closer to the CBA Playoffs finals.

Xinjiang coach Adiljan Suleyman said after the match, “We did a good job during this game. We had a good defense and controlled the ball and speed which is key for us to win the match. As a result, we were able to continue to play the game according to our own rhythm.”