CBA Playoffs: Jiangsu and Fujian storm into quarters

In the ongoing Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) Playoffs, Jiangsu Dragons, who finished ninth in the regular season, registered a magnificent 1113-105 victory at home over eighth-seeded Shandong Golden Stars on Wednesday.

Jiangsu, who had earlier claimed the first game on the road, swept the best of three games series and advanced to the quarter-finals.

Earlier, midway through the first quarter, Jiangsu's Yi Li hit a three but the home side was still trailing 13-12.

Then, Tao Hanlin's hook made it 26-24 for the Golden Stars. Donald Sloan missed the lay-up before Radulica got the rebound. Subsequently, Wu Guanxi opened his account. Sloan eventually found Li Yuanyu, whose baseline jumper put the Dragons up 62-42 in the third quarter.

Shandong soon closed the gap to eight thanks to Motiejunas and Zhang Chunjun got them within five. Later, Wu Nan passed to Motiejunas who found Wu Ke for a leveler.

When Shi Hongfei hit from way back Jiangsu extended the lead to nine. As Hou Yifan cut inside for a lay-up, Jiangsu went on to win 113-105, sweeping the series 2-0. They will next face Guangdong in the quarter-finals.

Pooh Jeter (R) plays on-court action for Fujian Sturgeons during the CBA game against Jilin team in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, March 20, 2019. /VCG Photo

Meanwhile, Fujian humbled Jilin 110-95 to win series 2-0 and advanced to the quarter-finals. Earlier, just before the tip-off, host Jilin's Jiang Yuxing got the CBA's best newcomer award. Once the match game got underway, the 24-year-old was on the mark as he gave the Northeast Tigers a two-point lead.

Then, Fujian's Pooh Jeter passed back and forth with Wang Zhelin before nailing a three 21-20 Sturgeons. Pooh did it again soon on his way to a game-high 36 points.

Midway through the second quarter, domestic MVP Wang made it 49-37 Fujian before Jeter's jumper gave the Sturgeons a 14-point lead.

Dominique Jones cut Jilin's deficit to eight. Former NBA guard Jones then put the Northeast Tigers ahead at 87-86.

But Fujian regained the lead as Jeter's three made it 97-91.

Subsequently, Zhao Tailong added three from the corner before Zhao found Wang for a three-pointer to help Fujian win the game hands down. The seventh-seeded Sturgeons saw off the tenth-seeded Jilin 2-0 in the series and are inching closer to face the defending champions, the Liaoning Flying Leopards in the quarter-finals.