2018 CBA Playoffs Quarter Final Review - Beijing Ducks vs Liaoning Flying Leopards
- TTN
- Mar 23, 2018
- 3 min read
Lester Hudson of the Liaoning Flying Leopards vs Beijing Ducks
The Beijing Ducks had already come through a playoff series to earn a place in the quarter finals, now they faced a bigger challenge in taking on one of the CBA's most successful teams this season, the second-seed Liaoning Flying Leopards.
Beijing led Liaoning by seven after the first quarter in game one, but Liaoning stepped up their offence after a stilted start. Making big strides in the Flying Leopards’ comeback was Lester Hudson had six threes as part of his game-high 29 points. For Beijing, Aaron Jackson and Shuo Fang led all their team’s scorers with 25 and 23 points respectively, and Justin Hamilton recorded a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. The score was tied ahead of a tense final quarter and, unable to keep up their scoring momentum, Beijing dropped game one by a single point to Liaoning.
Game two began stiltedly, with both teams playing tentative and conservatively, but as the first half went on the Ducks emerged as the stronger of the two sides. Playing consistently in the field, collecting loose balls and working hard on the defensive end, the Ducks led by eight at the end of two quarters. Beijing’s star Justin Hamilton had 28 points and 8 rebounds, while Zhai Xiaochuan had a good showing off the bench with 19 points.
Meanwhile, Lester Hudson and Guo Ailun duo were lighting it up for Liaoning. Both shot the ball well from close range and three-point territory, while Guo also displayed great ball movement and teamwork. Liaoning left it too late to stage a comeback, though, as Beijing contained a late surge from their opponents, ensuring they end the game as winners, 95-87.
Tied at one apiece, it looked like it would be an easy game three win for Liaoning after a powerhouse first half offensive show. They were buoyed by an amazing performance from Lester Hudson, who had 41 points. Though five other players for the Flying Leopards scored in double figures, no one on the team would come to close to Hudson’s performance. Beijing were down 60-37 as the second half began, but they did not let the scoreboard bother them.
Aaron Jackson had an incredible performance off the bench for Beijing, scoring 38 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, while Shuo Feng had six threes on his way to 24 points and Justin Hamilton had 21 points to go with 12 rebounds. The Ducks saved their best offence for the second half, where they scored 66 points, and with nothing to separate the teams overtime was needed. Beijing had played so well to stay in the game, but in the end it would be a fruitless effort. A last gasp of excellence from Liaoning saw them ahead 123-119 at the end of the extra period.
Beijing had the best start to what would be a low-scoring fourth game, leading by as much as seven. The Ducks played well in the field and shared the ball, with Shou Fang leading the team in assists. Shou had 16 points in the contest while team mate Aaron Jackson had a good game off the bench, leading Beijing’s scoring with 22 points.
Liaoning, meanwhile, were not firing on all cylinders. They were scrappy on offence but they put up points, and their defence wasn’t first rate but they did well to contain the Ducks as the game went on. Brandon Bass was magnificent off the Flying Leopards’ bench with 22 points and 15 rebounds, a big help for Liaoning as they sought the win. They out-scored Beijing for the first time in third quarter, and in the fourth they limited the Ducks to a game-low 13 points while putting up the points they needed for the win. Ahead 75-72 at the final buzzer, Liaoning sent Beijing packing and look ahead to greater things.
They were challenged, but Liaoning managed to secure their place in the semi finals with a 3-1 series win over Beijing, where they will face the winner of the Guangdong-Xinjiang series.
Stick and stay with us for regular updates on the CBA Playoffs.
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