CBA Playoffs: Second half surge drives Ducks into last eight

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We bounce over to the Chinese Basketball Association, for the final game in the First Round of the Playoffs. It was "do or die" time for the Beijing Ducks and Shanghai Sharks, as the winners of this contest would advance to the Quarter-Finals, while the losers go home. Damion Jones has the recap.

Aaron Jackson returned after missing six games with a shoulder injury, just in time to help Beijing tie its CBA First Round series against Shanghai at 1-1, and with a twisted ankle ruling big man Zhu Yanxi out of the finale, the Ducks sorely needed the American guard's steady leadership.

AARON JACKSON BEIJING DUCKS GUARD "It was more important, after losing the first game to try to get back and help us play the type of basketball we've been playing all year, and we did a good job, and I wanted to rush back to be there for my teammates, and my teammates want to be there too."

Following the same pattern as Games One and Two, the first half would be a ferocious back and forth battle, further underscoring the importance of this showdown.

DAMION JONES BEIJING "Just as advertised, this is a Game Three featuring all of the intensity expected from a win-or-go-home playoff contest, as the Beijing Ducks and Shanghai Sharks leave everything on the floor, knowing full well that a loss in this Opening Round decider, means the end of their season."

With Beijing forward Zhai Xiaochuan only available for limited minutes coming off an ankle sprain, and swingman Wang Xiaohui sidelined by food poisoning, players like Duan Jianpeng and Chang Lin would need to step up in a major way.

CHANG LIN BEIJING DUCKS FORWARD "When Justin Hamilton and I are both on the court together, we have a bigger advantage in the paint, so our coach said that we should use an inside-outside strategy, and make good connections on offense."

JUSTIN HAMILTON BEIJING DUCKS CENTER "For us, the whole year we've had injuries, and ups and downs with guys in and out, so I think we pride ourselves on next man up, and we're doing a great job with the next guy coming in."

And as the Ducks emerged for the second half all focused on the same goal, the Sharks chances of closing out their opponents at Wukesong, would be sunk.

JIMMER FREDETTE SHANGHAI SHARKS GUARD "We fought back and were able to make it to the Playoffs and, you know, had a lead in the series and played real hard, had a chance in Game Two and, you know, just gave ourselves as much of a chance as we could but, you know, tonight they played really well, and took the wind out of our sails."

So the Shanghai Sharks now have the next six months to reflect and retool, while a 97-72 victory sends the Ducks into the CBA Quarter-Finals, where they will meet the Liaoning Flying Leopards. DJ, CGTN, Beijing.