On Wednesday night, the Beijing Ducks celebrated a triumphant start to the new year, defeating the reigning Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) champions, the Liaoning Flying Leopards, 105-90 at home. This victory marks the second time this season that Beijing has bested Liaoning, showcasing their growing dominance in the league.
Leading the Ducks was Zhang Cairen, who delivered an outstanding performance on his 30th birthday. Zhang shot an impressive 7-for-12 from beyond the arc, amassing a game-high 27 points. Reflecting on his birthday and the team's win, Zhang said, "This is New Year's Day, as well as my birthday. So this game is very meaningful, and I hope to continue the good momentum this year."
Beijing's captain, Zhai Xiaochuan, also shared his sentiments after the game. "I wish all of the fans a Happy New Year," he said. "May all your wishes come true, and you have good health, and be happy every day."
Dominant Start for Beijing
The game unfolded with Beijing's starting center Zhou Qi making a strong return from injury, dominating the paint and helping the Ducks to an early 10-4 lead. Liaoning's Kyle Fogg responded with a series of jumpers, keeping the Flying Leopards within reach. The first quarter concluded with Beijing ahead 21-17, thanks to a buzzer-beating shot from Zhang after securing two offensive rebounds.
Extending the Lead
In the second quarter, Richard Solomon and Zhou continued to assert their presence under the basket, while Zhai and young talent Zeng Fanbo connected from downtown. Despite efforts from Fogg and Dez Wells to penetrate Beijing's defense, the Ducks extended their lead to 50-41 by halftime.
Setbacks and Comebacks
The third quarter saw Beijing's Chen Ying-Chun drain a three-pointer, pushing the lead to 64-52. However, an unfortunate ankle injury forced Chen to leave the game and be taken to the hospital. Liaoning capitalized on this moment, launching a 10-3 run and narrowing the gap to just one point at 70-69. Responding to the pressure, Zhou drew two consecutive fouls by aggressively attacking the basket, and Zhang hit another critical three-pointer, helping Beijing maintain a 75-71 advantage by the end of the quarter.
Zhang's Final Quarter Heroics
In the final quarter, Zhang was unstoppable, sinking three more shots from beyond the arc. His sharpshooting extended Beijing's lead to a commanding 98-78 with less than six minutes remaining. Acknowledging the deficit, Liaoning substituted their starters, effectively conceding the match. The Ducks secured their 17th win of the season after 24 games, solidifying their position as strong contenders in the league.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
