Liaoning advances, Zhejiang Lions and Guangdong tied in series
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E-mail Xinhua, April 21, 2023
Zhao Jiwei collected 33 points to help the Liaoning Flying Leopards thrash the Beijing Ducks 105-86 and book a seat in the final four of the 2022-23 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) playoffs on Thursday.
Kyle Fogg added 16 points for Liaoning. On Beijing's side, Zeng Fanbo and Jonathan Gibson each pocketed 18 points, and Fan Ziming had 13.
Both teams put up tough defense after the tip-off. Although Beijing made some fast breaks, several mid-range jump shots by Fan could not be converted into scores.
On the other end, Li Xiaoxu hit two consecutive 3-pointers and Eric Moreland made a bank shot, to put Liaoning 8-0 in front.
It was not until seven minutes and 17 seconds left in the first quarter that the Ducks opened the scoring with a 3-pointer by Tian Yuxiang.
Liaoning gradually gained the momentum while Beijing struggled with frequent turnovers. The first quarter ended with Liaoning leading 33-13.
In the second quarter, the Flying Lepords started with Fu Hao's consecutive shots, but they suddenly fell into a scoring drought afterward. The Ducks relied on fast breaks to cut the deficit down to 10 points.
Zhang Zhenlin made a fast lay-up and left a foul on Zeng at the beginning of the crucial fourth quarter. Zeng then fought back with a dunk. Even though Zhai Xiaochuan's efforts gave the Ducks a glimmer of hope, it was soon dismissed by Zhao's 3-pointer and Guo Ailun's jump shot.
Zhao left the game after a body contact in a layup, but he soon returned to the court and nailed another 3-pointer. The Liaoning star guard then turned the game into his individual show.
In another quarterfinal match, the Zhejiang Lions beat the Guangdong Southern Tigers 98-87 to hold the suspense into the third match of the best-of-three series.
Zhao Rui and Hu Mingxuan scored 14 points for Guangdong. Hu Jinqiu took a double-double of 20 points and 18 rebounds for Zhejiang.
Apart from the Liaoning Flying Leopards, the Zhejiang Golden Bulls and the Shenzhen Aviators have also secured their spots in the semifinals.
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