A terrific performance from Yi Jianlian, Marshon Brooks and Sonny Weems helped Guangdong past Xinjiang with 128-118 and collected a 3-0 series lead in the finals of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) on Wednesday night.

Xinjiang's offense got a major boost from Kay Felder in the first quarter, who shook off a sluggish performance and collected 12 points to make it 22-20 midway through the first quarter. Veteran Li Gen hit Xinjiang's seventh 3-pointer before Weems's floater cut down to one into the second.

An amazing 18-2 surge in the second period helped Xinjiang outscored Guangdong 57-44. Yi Jianlian answered their rivals with a 3-pointer before Brooks finished a jump shot to trim the deficit 60-67 at the buzzer.

Xinjiang made 10-of-15 shooting from beyond the arc in the first half, including five from Felder, who had already chipped in 28 points.

"Although many players were injured, Xinjiang showed a strong determination in the first half where their shooters were on fire," Guangdong's coach Du Feng praised.

However, Felder was limited by Zhao Rui in the second half, who came off the bench with a back injury. Su Wei scored four straight points to help Guangdong retake the lead with 77-75.

"We played a more balanced game than Game 2 but had mistakes on defense to give Guangdong many easy points on the court," Xinjiang's coach Adijan said.

Xinjiang's offense bogged down in the fourth quarter where they missed the first five consecutive shots, only to see Guangdong extended the lead to 10 points. Guangdong never been threatened while Yi Jianlian hit a put-back to push for a clutch win.

Yi Jianlian, Brooks and Weems combined for 84 points tonight. Felder scored a game-high 37 points for Xinjiang.

"We protected rebounds well after the halftime break and finally found the path to the win," Du Feng said.

Game 4 will be held on Friday night in Urumqi.

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)