Guangdong, Shandong force decider in CBA playoff first round

GUANGZHOU, May 1 (Xinhua) -- The Guangdong Southern Tigers cruised past the Guangzhou Loong Lions 85-64 in the first round of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) playoffs on Friday, setting up a decisive Game 3.

After a 93-76 home defeat, 11-time CBA champion Guangdong bounced back strongly. Jared Sullinger had a game-high 24 points and 14 rebounds for Guangdong, and Hu Mingxuan added 21. Justin Holiday led Guangzhou with 13 points.

Hu made three 3-pointers in the first quarter to help Guangdong build a 27-17 lead. He and Sullinger led a 10-0 run as Guangdong went ahead 52-24 at halftime.

Guangdong kept its momentum after the break, extending the lead to as many as 30 points.

"All of our players were focused on the court and we moved the ball well. I hope we can keep up the good work in Game 3," Guangdong coach Du Feng said after the win.

Also on Friday, six players scored in double figures as the Shandong Heroes beat the Liaoning Flying Leopards 102-86. Shandong will host Game 3 on Sunday. Enditem