NANCHANG, China, April 1 (Xinhua) -- The 2021-2022 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) playoffs tipped off here on Friday, with defending champions Guangdong Southern Tigers and the Shanxi Loongs beating their respective opponents in the openers of the best-of-three first round.
Failing to finish within the top four in the regular season, Guangdong had to fight for a berth into the quarterfinals against the Tianjin Pioneers, who emerged as the biggest surprise during the third phase of the regular season by winning eight out of 10 matches. The dark horse was also allowed to dispatch two overseas players at the same time in one period, which put much pressure on Guangdong's defense.
The defending champions, however, successfully restrained Kenny Boynton and Taylor Rochestie, the pair that Tianjin heavily relied on. Boynton was contained to only 10 points during the first three quarters, while the 36-year-old Rochestie, averaging 23.7 points per game with 49.5 percent shooting from downtown, only contributed 15 points with one three-pointer.
Guangdong led 30-25 during the first period and extended the margin to 58-46 before the interval. It was during the third that Guangdong's dominance was solidified as they won a 32-23 single period with five three-pointers, and the final quarter saw Guangdong cruising to a 124-101 victory.
Six players scored double-digits for Guangdong, while Boynton led the game with 28 points, most of which were made in the extended garbage time.
The Guangzhou-Shanxi clash had been highly anticipated as the pair were close in the regular season standings, but the game soon turned into a one-sided bore shortly after the tip-off.
During the latter phase of the first quarter, Shanxi engined a 27-5 run highlighted by consecutive three-pointers from Yuan Shuai and Zhang Ning, and led 35-15 into the second period.
The rest of the time saw no comeback that Shanxi carried the game away 120-101. Yan Pengfei led Shanxi with a season-high 28 points.
The Shenzhen Aviators will take on the Shandong Heroes and the Beijing Ducks are set to play against the Jilin Northeast Tigers on Saturday. ■
