Liaoning Defeats Xinjiang, Qingdao Narrowly Beats Guangsha in CBA Playoffs
In the Chinese Basketball Association Playoffs, the Liaoning Flying Leopards, three-time defending champions, dominated the Xinjiang Flying Tigers, winning 101-79 on Friday to complete a 3-0 sweep of their quarterfinal series. This victory...
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In the Chinese Basketball Association Playoffs, the Liaoning Flying Leopards, three-time defending champions, dominated the Xinjiang Flying Tigers, winning 101-79 on Friday to complete a 3-0 sweep of their quarterfinal series. This victory propels them into the semifinals for the 11th consecutive year.
Montrezl Harrell's dunk put Xinjiang ahead 24-22 in the first quarter, but Xerzat Samat later set up Dedric Lawson for a layup, increasing their lead to 37-33 in the second period while facing pressure at home. However, Dez Wells responded with a layup, leading the Flying Leopards to a narrow halftime advantage of 49-46.
After the break, American guard Dez Wells scored another layup, helping Liaoning extend their lead to 12 points as he finished the game with a high of 25 points. In the fourth quarter, Zhao Jiwei made a couple of three-pointers, pushing Liaoning’s lead to 96-68.
Ultimately, the Flying Leopards sealed the victory at 101-79, avenging last year's CBA Finals and making it to the semifinals for the 11th straight season.
In the other matchup, the Qingdao Eagles faced the Guangsha Lions in a thrilling contest and achieved a surprising 85-83 victory, continuing their quest for an upset in the series.
Duan Angjun hit a three-pointer from the corner, giving the eighth-seeded Qingdao Eagles a significant 63-48 lead in the third quarter. Nevertheless, top-seeded Guangsha fought back, with Zhao Jiaren reducing the deficit to five points at 63-58 with just a minute left in the period.
Barry Brown gave the Lions a lead in the final quarter, contributing to his team-high 25 points. He later hit another three-pointer to even the score at 83-83 with 42 seconds remaining. However, Quinndary Weatherspoon, who recorded a game-high 30 points, pushed the Eagles ahead with 16 seconds left.
Brown's last-second three-pointer fell short, and though Hu Jinqiu grabbed the rebound and seemed to score afterwards, the referees reviewed the play and determined it occurred after the final buzzer. As a result, Qingdao escaped with a thrilling two-point victory, taking an unexpected 2-1 edge in their best-of-five series against regular-season champion Guangsha.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
Montrezl Harrell's dunk put Xinjiang ahead 24-22 in the first quarter, but Xerzat Samat later set up Dedric Lawson for a layup, increasing their lead to 37-33 in the second period while facing pressure at home. However, Dez Wells responded with a layup, leading the Flying Leopards to a narrow halftime advantage of 49-46.
After the break, American guard Dez Wells scored another layup, helping Liaoning extend their lead to 12 points as he finished the game with a high of 25 points. In the fourth quarter, Zhao Jiwei made a couple of three-pointers, pushing Liaoning’s lead to 96-68.
Ultimately, the Flying Leopards sealed the victory at 101-79, avenging last year's CBA Finals and making it to the semifinals for the 11th straight season.
In the other matchup, the Qingdao Eagles faced the Guangsha Lions in a thrilling contest and achieved a surprising 85-83 victory, continuing their quest for an upset in the series.
Duan Angjun hit a three-pointer from the corner, giving the eighth-seeded Qingdao Eagles a significant 63-48 lead in the third quarter. Nevertheless, top-seeded Guangsha fought back, with Zhao Jiaren reducing the deficit to five points at 63-58 with just a minute left in the period.
Barry Brown gave the Lions a lead in the final quarter, contributing to his team-high 25 points. He later hit another three-pointer to even the score at 83-83 with 42 seconds remaining. However, Quinndary Weatherspoon, who recorded a game-high 30 points, pushed the Eagles ahead with 16 seconds left.
Brown's last-second three-pointer fell short, and though Hu Jinqiu grabbed the rebound and seemed to score afterwards, the referees reviewed the play and determined it occurred after the final buzzer. As a result, Qingdao escaped with a thrilling two-point victory, taking an unexpected 2-1 edge in their best-of-five series against regular-season champion Guangsha.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
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