In an exhilarating display of skill and determination, the Liaoning Flying Leopards kicked off their CBA title defense with a dramatic overtime win over the Xinjiang Flying Tigers. The contest, held at home in Shenyang in northeast China's Liaoning Province, ended 123-116, setting an electrifying tone for the best-of-five series.
The game showcased standout performances as Liaoning guard Zhao Jiwei lit up the court with 33 points—sinking eight three-pointers on an 11-for-17 shooting night. Teammates Dez Wells and Cameron Oliver added 29 and 20 points respectively, with Wells’ clutch three-pointer in the final seconds of regulation forcing overtime.
Although small forward Zhang Zhenlin managed just nine points, his timely downtown shot in overtime sealed the win for the three-time defending champions. For Xinjiang, resilience was on full display with four players scoring over 20 points, including Dedric Lawson’s double-double of 32 points and 13 rebounds.
The game was a rollercoaster, marked by early leads and dramatic momentum shifts. Xinjiang surged early with inside drives and sharpshooting, but a strategic run by the Flying Leopards turned the tide. A missed opportunity in the dying seconds allowed Wells to level the score at 111-111, pushing the game into overtime where Liaoning’s balanced offense ultimately prevailed.
In a parallel showdown, the Guangsha Lions cruised past the Qingdao Eagles 110-93 in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. Barry Brown led the offensive charge with a game-high 31 points, and an early dominant run by the Lions set the pace for their victory, even as point guard Sun Minghui returned briefly from a heel injury.
With Game 2 scheduled for Tuesday in both matchups, basketball fans across the Chinese mainland are eagerly anticipating more high-octane playoff action.
Reference(s):
Liaoning begins CBA title defense by edging past Xinjiang in overtime
cgtn.com
