The Beijing Ducks staged a dramatic second-half comeback to defeat the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions 101-87 in Game 1 of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) Finals on Wednesday. The road victory gives Beijing a crucial 1-0 advantage in the best-of-seven championship series.
After trailing by 14 points early in the second quarter, Beijing's balanced attack saw six players score double digits. Guard Chen Ying-chun fueled the rally with six three-pointers and 23 points, while center Zhou Qi anchored the defense with 14 rebounds alongside 13 points.
'This team never stops fighting,' said Beijing guard Eugene German, who led all scorers with 24 points. 'We trusted our system and each other.'
The top-seeded Guangsha Lions initially dominated through center Hu Jinqiu's game-high 26 points and Nathan Knight's early 11-point first-quarter burst. However, defensive lapses and a 4/19 shooting night from star guard Sun Minghui proved costly as Beijing closed the game on a 20-9 fourth-quarter run.
The series continues Friday in Hangzhou, where Guangsha aims to level the score before games shift to Beijing. The CBA Finals remain one of Asia's most watched sporting events, drawing basketball enthusiasts from across the continent and global diaspora communities.
