The Guangsha Lions roared back in Game 2 of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) Finals on Friday, edging the Beijing Ducks 103-96 in front of a raucous home crowd at Hangzhou Gymnasium. With the series now tied 1-1, both teams head into Game 3 in Beijing on Monday, setting up a critical mid-series showdown on the road.
Defense Sets the Tone
After trailing by five points late in the second quarter, Guangsha unleashed an 11-0 run to seize a 51-46 halftime lead. Coach Wang Bo praised the squad's defensive discipline, saying it allowed the Lions to control the tempo and limit key threats all night.
Star Performances Fuel the Win
Barry Brown spearheaded the attack with 31 points, six rebounds and seven assists, while Sun Minghui bounced back from a tough opener to post 28 points, nine rebounds, two assists and three steals on 11-of-18 shooting. Sun refocused after Game 1 and credited his teammates for turning pressure into fuel.
Center Hu Jinqiu also made his mark with 21 points and five rebounds, anchoring the paint and spacing the floor.
Ducks Respond but Fall Short
Eugene German led Beijing with 21 points, supported by Nuni Omot's 15. Rookie Zhou Qi recorded a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Chen Ying-chun added 12 points and seven assists. Despite their efforts, the Ducks could not overcome Guangsha's late-game push.
Quick Stats
- Barry Brown: 31 PTS, 6 REB, 7 AST
- Sun Minghui: 28 PTS, 9 REB, 3 STL
- Hu Jinqiu: 21 PTS, 5 REB
Looking Ahead to Game 3
As the series shifts to the Chinese capital, both squads will look to seize momentum. The Ducks aim to defend home court in Beijing, while Guangsha seeks to prove its balanced attack can thrive on the road. Tip-off for Game 3 is set for Monday night.
Reference(s):
Guangsha Lions beat Beijing Ducks in Game 2 to level CBA Finals at 1-1
cgtn.com
