CBA: Beijing, Shanghai to face decisive G3
The Beijing Ducks defeated the Shanghai Sharks 116-99 at home to tie the series 1-1, while the Guangzhou Loong Lions beat the Qingdao Eagles 92-78 to secure a berth in the quarterfinals in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) playoffs on Sunday.
Despite TJ Leaf and Askia Booker sitting out due to injuries, Marcus Keene stepped out for the Ducks, and the 1.78m-tall sharpshooter nailed down eight 3-pointers, taking a game-high 37 points to extend the home team's season journey. Lei Meng made five 3-pointers to take 19 points, and Fang Shuo added 17 points and six assists.
Wang Zhelin led Shanghai with 24 points and 10 rebounds, Eric Bledsoe contributed 18 points, and Dwayne Bacon added 14 points through 10 attempts.
Beijing seemed to have found a new game rhythm under a dangerous situation of injuries. Led by Keene, the team shot with more confidence from beyond the arc - they made 17 out of 34 3-pointer attempts. Head coach Giulio Griccioli stated after the game that the Ducks had bounced back from losing two core players in the last match.
Griccioli praised Keene's efforts and also revealed his side had executed well on constraining Shanghai's top scorers Bledsoe and Bacon.
The two teams will fly back to Shanghai to meet at next Tuesday's Game 3 with the winner entering the next round in the playoffs.
Elsewhere, Guangzhou achieved a clean sweep over Qingdao to advance to the last eight. Barry Brown Jr. led Guangzhou with 28 points, and Cui Yongxi added 17 points and seven rebounds. Myles Powell scored 30 points for Qingdao, Wang Ruize added 24, and Yang Hansen took nine points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
The CBA playoffs 12-to-eight-round features a best-of-three format and three out of four duels will have a decisive Game 3. On Monday, the Shenzhen Aviators will play against the Beijing Royal Fighters at home and the Shanxi Loongs will try to overturn the Zhejiang Lions on the road.