CBA playoffs: Liaoning sweep Shenzhen to reach semis
The Liaoning Flying Leopards smashed the Shenzhen Aviators 102-80 to book a final four berth, while the Zhejiang Lions cruised past the Guangdong Southern Tigers 109-102 to put the game back to 1-2 in the best-of-five Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Liaoning led 51-40 at the break and made a 9-0 run to expand the lead to 20 points by the end of the third quarter. Shenzhen narrowed the margin to 15 points with 4:51 remaining before Liaoning took a 9-2 run to put the game beyond reach. Liaoning advanced into the semifinals with a 3-0 win over Shenzhen.
Li Xiaoxu had 19 points and seven rebounds for Liaoning, followed by 16 from Zhang Zhenlin and 15 from Sharife Cooper. Jared Sullinger led Shenzhen with 21 points and 17 rebounds. Shen Zijie added 20 points and eight rebounds.
Guangdong enjoyed a 58-45 lead at the break before Zhejiang turned the game around on 100-95 with a 9-0 run in the fourth quarter.
Guangdong tied the game on 100-100 with three minutes left. Zhao Yanhao buried a three-pointer to help Zhejiang take the lead on 103-100 before Tremont Waters made a long-range jump shot to cut the deficit to one. Zhao Yanhao made two crucial three-pointers in a row to lead the home team seal the victory.
Zhao Yanhao led Zhejiang with 25 points, followed by 19 from Li Jinxiao. Jordan Floyd and Jahlil Okafor contributed 17 points apiece. Hu Mingxuan had 23 points for Guangdong. Sonny Weems added 19 points.