The Beijing Ducks overcame an early deficit to beat the Guangsha Lions 101-87 in Game 1 of the Chinese Basketball Association Finals in Hangzhou. The comeback win gives the Ducks a 1–0 advantage in the best-of-seven series.
Trailing by 14 points early, the Ducks sparked their turnaround in the second quarter with a physical defensive effort and key free throws. Six players reached double digits for Beijing, led by guard Eugene German’s 24 points. Chen Ying-chun drilled six three-pointers en route to 23 points, while big men Zhou Qi (13 points, 14 rebounds) and Fan Ziming (13 points, 10 rebounds) each recorded double-doubles.
The Lions leaned heavily on forward Hu Jinqiu, who poured in a game-high 26 points and grabbed eight rebounds. However, Guangsha struggled from deep, as point guard Sun Minghui missed all nine three-point attempts and finished with five points, six rebounds, and five assists.
After an 11-point opening quarter from Houston-native Nathan Knight and Barry Brown helped Guangsha jump ahead, Beijing chipped away at the lead with a 31–21 second quarter. The Ducks maintained momentum after halftime, with Chen’s third-quarter barrage of three-pointers pushing them ahead by 10. In the fourth, Beijing put the game out of reach with a 9–0 run and locked down defensively, holding the host team to just nine points.
With confidence high and a balanced attack, the Ducks will look to build on this road victory when they return to Hangzhou for Game 2 on Friday.
As the Chinese Basketball Association Finals gain momentum, international fans and digital nomads will be tracking the series online. With social media buzzing over clutch shots and high-flying defense, the Ducks–Lions rivalry is set to captivate a global audience.
Reference(s):
Beijing Ducks open CBA Finals with comeback win over Guangsha Lions
cgtn.com
