2018 CBA Playoffs Semi Final Review

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

Having secured a spot in the CBA Finals with games to spare, the Liaoning Flying Leopards awaited to see who they would be facing. It would be a long wait, though, as the semi-final tie between top-seeded Zhejiang Lions and the Shandong Golden Stars - the only unbeaten team in the playoffs so far - went down to the wire.

Zhejiang found Shandong hard-going opponents in game one, but they did control proceedings in the high-scoring series opener. Behind two thirty-point plus games, from Lin Chih-Chieh (32 points) and Courtney Fortson (34 points and 13 assists), Zhejiang led and kept it a multi-possession game. Ty Lawson had a great game for Shandong off the bench, scoring 38 points and dishing 9 assists, while MVP Ding Yanyuhang had 34 points and Donatas Motiejunas finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Despite that, and a late push, it would not be enough to overcome a great show on offence from Zhejiang, who took game one by ten points.

Shandong were down by four to Zhejiang at the end of ten minutes in game two. The Golden Stars response was to dominate the second half, outscoring the Lions from the field and taking possession from them at all opportunities. Zhejiang attempted to revive themselves late in the game, but there was no going back for them despite 24 points from Courtney Fortson and a double-double (19 points, 11 rebounds) from Jinqiu Hu. Between them, Ty Lawson, Donatas Motiejunas and Ding Yanyuhang had 85 of Shandong’s total 107 in game two, as the team levelled the series with an impressive eight-point.

Moving on to Jinan, Zhejiang had the slight edge over Shandong early in game three, but in the second quarter took complete control of the game. With a better showing from close range and making better use of possession, the Lions would lead 59-42 at halftime and were on course for the win. Shandong attempted a second half comeback behind a good show on defence and 36 points and 9 rebounds from Ding Yanyuhang, but could not do enough to contain Zhejiang where it mattered late in the game. Hu Jinqiu had a great game for the Lions, scoring 28 points and grabbing 15 rebounds, while Ioannis Bourousis and Sun Minghui put up a combined 36 points off the bench as the Lions go back in front in the series with another victory by eight points.

Zhejiang led by three points after ten minutes in game four - thanks to one of Lin Chih-Chieh’s seven threes in a great three-point showing from the team captain. A huge second quarter from Shandong saw them go from three down to seven up at half time and maintained their offensive form to hold on to the lead for the remainder of the game.

A star showing from Donatas Motiejunas with 35 points and 14 rebounds, while Ty Lawson had 32 of his own and Ding Yanyhuhang added 25 to Shandong’s total. Zhejiang were doing everything right, but could not find a way back in the game. Courtney Fortson, Jinqiu Hu and Ioannis Bourousis all had double-doubles for Zhejiang, but that would not be enough to take the team a step closer to the final. The series was tied once again with a 119-116 win for Shandong.

The teams could not be separated early on in game five, but with a greater offensive performance Shandong took control of the game. At half time they led by eight points, and in the second half they built their lead even more. Trying to fight back for Zhejiang was Bourousis, who had an amazing game with 29 points and 15 rebounds. Despite this and some good work on defence, there was nothing the Lions could do to slow down the Stars. Motiejunas had another double-double for Shandong, and Lawson and Ding continued their big scoring streak in the series in what would be a comfortable game five win for the Golden Stars, 113 to 103.

Zhejiang’s fortunes changed in game six, getting off to the best start by resisting Shandong and outscoring them thirty points to twelve in the first. The Lions made the best of their chances on offence and did well to hold on to possession in the game Courtney Fortson led everyone on court with 31 points and 13 assists, while his teammates Ioannis Bourousis and Jinqiu Hu both recorded double-doubles in the game. Ty Lawson had the best leading all his team with 26 points, while Motiejunas finished with another double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds. Shandong’s second half attempt to turn the game around fell far short, as Zhejiang continued their form in the face of pressure from the Golden Stars. Winning 117-96, Zhejiang forced a deciding game.

With the slight edge from three-point territory, Shandong had the lead early on in game seven. Zhejiang struck back in the second behind the trio of Fortson, Lin and Bourousis to go up by five. Fortson and Bourousis both made double-doubles in the game, while fifteen of Lin’s total twenty points came from outside the arc.

The Golden Stars made a big push when the game re-started, with Donatas Motiejunas on his way to yet another impressive double-double, this time of 31 points and 13 rebounds. However, they seemed to have nothing left going down the stretch. Zhejiang took advantage in their opponents drop in form, and went on to monopolise play at the decisive final stage of the game. Outscoring Shandong at the end, Zhejiang claimed victory in both the game and the series, advancing to the finals to the delight of the home fans in Hangzhou.

Zhejiang will begin their first CBA Finals against the Liaoning Flying Leopards on April 15th. Stick and stay with us for an in-depth analysis of how this year's finals unfolded.