Tao Hanlin (C) of Shandong Heroes goes for a basket during the 1st round playoff match between Shandong Heroes and Shenzhen Leopards at the 2021-2022 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province, April 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi)
NANCHANG, China, April 4 (Xinhua) -- Jilin swept three-time title winner Beijing 2-0 in the best-of-three first round series while Shenzhen eliminated Shandong in the 2021-2022 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) playoffs on Monday.
After defeating Beijing 104-102 in the first game with Dominique Jones' decisive buzzer-beater layup, Jilin enjoyed a dream start in their second encounter with a 16-0 lead.
Jeremy Lin scored Beijing's first point with a free throw, and consecutive three pointers from Zhu Yanxi and Lei Meng helped Beijing cut the deficit to only three by the end of the first quarter.
Beijing overtook the lead by 39-31 after a 15-4 run in the second quarter, before heading into halftime interval with 39-36.
Both teams exchanged lead in the fourth quarter, and after a crucial free throw of Jones, Jilin led by 78-73 with 23 seconds left. Fang Shuo scored the last two points for Beijing in the 2021-2022 season before Jiang Weize hit two free throws to secure the 80-75 win and a quarterfinals berth for Jilin.
"It has been a long time since the last time Jilin made quarterfinals in CBA. I'd like to say we were inspired by the anti-epidemic efforts in Jilin Province and hopefully our hometown will triumph against the COVID-19 soon," said Jilin's coach Wang Han.
Jones led Jilin with 21 points and 11 assists, while Jiang Weize and Jiang Yuxing both contributed 18 points.
Beijing only hit eight three-pointers out of 42 attempts. As the team's twin tower in the paint, Fan Ziming and Li Muhao only combined for five points, seven rebounds and three assists.
Shenzhen, which won the first game 115-101 against Shandong, showed no mercy in their second clash by storming to an 18-2 lead, with Shandong never taking lead in the entire game. Shenzhen eventually won 120-108 to cap the best-of-three matchup.
Askia Booker scored a team-high 27 points while Gu Quan had double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds for Shenzhen. Shandong's Troy Gillenwater had a game-high 34 points.
Jilin will play against Guangsha while Shenzhen will face Shanghai in the quarterfinals. ■
Shen Zijie (L) of Shenzhen Leopards vies for a rebound during the 1st round playoff match between Shandong Heroes and Shenzhen Leopards at the 2021-2022 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province, April 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi)
Troy Gillenwater (R) of Shandong Heroes goes for a basket during the 1st round playoff match between Shandong Heroes and Shenzhen Leopards at the 2021-2022 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province, April 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi)
Lester Hudson (R) of Shandong Heroes shoots during the 1st round playoff match between Shandong Heroes and Shenzhen Leopards at the 2021-2022 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province, April 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi)
Gao Shiyan (R) of Shandong Heroes vies with Bai Haotian and Jared Sullinger of Shenzhen Leopards during the 1st round playoff match between Shandong Heroes and Shenzhen Leopards at the 2021-2022 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province, April 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi)
Fang Shuo (C) of Beijing Ducks goes to the basket during the 1st round playoff match between Beijing Ducks and Jilin Northeast Tigers at the 2021-2022 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province, April 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi)
Taruike Jianiyou of Beijing Ducks goes to the basket during the 1st round playoff match between Beijing Ducks and Jilin Northeast Tigers at the 2021-2022 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province, April 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi)
Fan Ziming (C) of Beijing Ducks competes during the 1st round playoff match between Beijing Ducks and Jilin Northeast Tigers at the 2021-2022 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province, April 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi)
Dominique Jones of Jilin Northeast Tigers reacts during the 1st round playoff match between Beijing Ducks and Jilin Northeast Tigers at the 2021-2022 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province, April 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi)
Dominique Jones (C) of Jilin Northeast Tigers celebrates with his teammates during the 1st round playoff match between Beijing Ducks and Jilin Northeast Tigers at the 2021-2022 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province, April 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi)
