2018 CBA Playoffs Quarter Final Review - Zhejiang Guangsha Lions vs Shenzhen Leopards

Courtney Fortson of the Zhejiang Lions. Image: court-side.com

On paper, the playoff matchup between the one and eight seeds would always seem a foregone conclusion. That was not the case in the year's CBA Playoffs when top-seeded Zhejiang Guangsha Lions took on the Shenzhen Leopards.

Zhejiang had the best start as the series got underway, but Shenzhen started to build their rhythm in game one's mid-section. Behind Shenzhen's new form was an incredible performance from Jared Sullinger with 47 points and 14 rebounds, along with 38 points from Tyrese Rice. This saw the Leopards leading by seven at the start of the fourth quarter. With time winding down, Zhejiang needed to respond to not let the game slip away from them - and respond they did. Returning to the form they've displayed all season, the Lions dominated the final period of play, leaving nothing between the two teams down the stretch. Zhejiang's starters had an amazing 91 points, 37 of which came from Courtney Fortson, while Ioannis Bourousis recorded a double-double, 10 points and 13 rebounds, off the bench. A single three-point play was what came between the two evenly-matched teams on the night, with Zhejiang the victors 122-119.

Shenzhen came charging out of the blocks in game two, and their efforts from the field and on the defensive boards saw them monopolise possession and lead 61-40 at half time. Jared Sullinger and Tyrese Rice both had great games for the Leopards, with Rice scoring 29 points and Sullinger registered 21 points and 22 rebounds. For Zheijan, meanwhile, Ioannis Bourousis was having a great game with 30 points and 12 rebounds, which went a long way in their second half attempt to not let the game fall away from them. Zheijang made a big push in the final quarter, which they mostly dominated, and their last-minutes paid off as they tied the series with a 106-102 win.

In game three, Jared Sullinger found himself locked in a duel with Zhejiang’s Courtney Fortson, the two easliy outshining everyone else on court. Sullinger posted 29 points and 16 rebounds, but with smart play and making better use of his scoring chances, Fortson would be the victor of this one-on-one matchup. With 38 points and 9 rebounds, he helped power the Lions over the Leopards, who never really recovered from a slow start. As well as Sullinger, Yang Linyi had a good show of the Leopards' bench with 17 points, but after leading by 19 at the half Zheijang cruised home to take game three, 101 points to 89.

The Leopards opened game four with a big first quarter, they led by 14 points after ten minutes. The Lions then went on to out-score Shenzhen in Q2, but where still down by six when the teams went to the locker room. Courtney Fortson had 25 points and 11 assists, while captain Lin Chih-Chieh had a highly impressive showing for the Lions, scoring 21 and grabbing 8 rebounds. All their efforts, in the end, only narrowed the gap after a slow start. Through a solid effort in the final two periods of play, Shenzhen weathered the storm and saw out the win. Sullinger again led his team in scoring with 22 while Quo Xiaopeng and Zijie Shen both had 18 points, with Zijie also recording 12 total rebounds. With the Leopards winning game four by 100 points to 95, this tie was going down to the wire.

It was another great start by the Leopards in game five, they led by six early on. The team had a good showing from three-point territory, finishing with 14 total threes. Sullinger had another double-double with 25 points and 12 rebounds, while with 32 points in the game, Tyrese Rice led Shenzhen in scoring. Their run would not last long, though, and the Lions pounced in the second quarter, outscoring Shenzhen 38 points to 11 in the period.

Every Zhejiang player scored in the game, with six in double figures. Courtney Fortson led all scorers with 32 points while Bourousis finished with another double-double of 16 points and 15 totals rebounds. The Lions slowed down on offence as the game wound down, and Shenzhen looked to take advantage. A good defensive effort from Zhejiang, working hard to box out and limit chances for their opponents, would help them see out the win.

With the final score in game five 107-98 to Zhejiang, they win the series 3-2 and advance to face the Shandong Golden Stars - who did not drop a game in their quarter final series - for a place in this year's CBA final.

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