2018 CBA Playoffs First Round Report
- TTN
- Mar 11, 2018
- 3 min read
With the regular season concluded, and it's down to the nitty gritty in the Chinese Basketball Association as this year's playoffs get underway.
In a change to the format of previous years, the top six teams automatically earn a spot in the quarter finals. The final two places will be decided by the winners of two playoff ties between the teams that finished seventh to tenth in the final league standings.
The best-of-three first round took place across . Contesting the elimination round would be the Shenzhen Leopards and Guangzhou Long-Lions, who finished eighth and ninth respectively, while the other playoff would see two of China's best-known teams - the Beijing Ducks and the Shanghai Sharks - go head to head.
The Leopards/Long-Lions tie began in Shenzhen, and after an even-handed opening quarter, the Leopards then led by seven at half-time. Shenzhen saw big offensive firepower from Jared Sullinger and Tyrese Rice, both putting up 24 points in the contest (Sullinger also posted 16 total rebounds). The Long-Lions responded after half time, aided heavily by an exceptional performance from Kyle Fogg with 35 points.
Guangzhou kept tightening the scoreline and eventually levelled proceedings early in the fourth quarter. Shenzhen gained the upper hand here from their effectiveness in the field, best displayed by Quan Gu. The Leopards' standout player made half of all his field goal attempts and put up five threes on his way to 29 total points. Not cracking under the pressure, Shenzhen took the first leg 121 points to 113.
In the reverse fixture, after another tight opening quarter Shenzhen had the lead, but it was still a one-possession game. Kyle Fogg was doing it all for the Long-Lions in this one, scoring an amazing 41 points. Fogg’s performance, along with the team hitting more from outside, saw Guangzhou with a five-point lead at half time.
Spurred on by the home crowds, however, Shenzhen responded with a dagger third quarter. Three of Shenzhen’s players scored over twenty points in this one, with Jared Sullinger being the most spectacular player on the court. Finishing with 31 points and 23 rebounds, he was a big factor in the Leopards' taking control of the game. With superior play both on defence and from the field, Shenzhen ended the series with a second win, 116-112 - they now advance to face top-seed Zhejiang Lions in the quarter finals.
Meanwhile, Justin Hamilton’s 25 points and 18 rebounds went a long way for the Ducks, as did Shou Fang’s 27, as Beijing faced Shanghai in a tight game one. There was literally nothing between the teams throughout three quarters, with the scores tied ahead of the final period of play. With the game on the line, Shanghai stepped up the pressure down the stretch. Nick Minnerath impressed for the Sharks, coming off the bench and scoring a game-high 31 points, while Jimmer Fredette added 28 points to Shanghai’s total while also dishing 12 assists. Scoring 16 threes in the game, Shanghai outlasted Beijing and put game one to bed with a big fourth quarter.
The Sharks looked to book their quarter final place in front of home crowds in game two. Justin Hamilton of the Ducks had other ideas, though, as he put in a stunning performance of 36 points and 13 rebounds, with his team mate Aaron Jackson adding 22 points off the bench. It was a noticeably better showing from Beijing, who communicated well as a team, played well from the field and sank 14 three-pointers in this second game. Jimmer Fredette matched Hamilton on the scoresheet with 36 points of his own, as Beijing forced game three with a 101-95 win.
Back in the nation’s capital, the Ducks were flying - with great play from the field and taking better care of the defensive boards - while the Sharks floundered. Shangahi looked to their star, Jimmer Fredette, to be the hero, but 24 points and 10 rebounds from the 2017 International MVP could not change the team’s fortunes. The Ducks ran rampant in the second half, outscoring the Sharks 46 - 26. It was another good game for Justin Hamilton, who had 32 points and 13 rebounds, while Chang Lin also managed a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Ducks. Beating Shanghai 97 points to 72, Beijing won the remaining quarter final spot. Their next opponents will be the Liaoning Flying Leopards.
With the first round results in, the completed playoff picture looks like this:
Zhejiang Lions (1) vs Shenzhen Leopards (8)
Shandong Golden Stars (4) vs Jiangsu Dragons (5)
Liaoning Flying Leopards (2) vs Beijing Ducks (7)
Guangdong Southern Tigers (3) vs Xinjiang Flying Tigers (6)
The first quarter final games will be played on the 13th and 14th of March. Check back here for regular updates on what looks to be an exciting championship round.
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