In a thrilling Game Two of the best-of-three first round series in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) Playoffs, the Beikong Royal Fighters edged out the Shandong Kylins 93-84 at home in Beijing. The victory, marked by standout performances, sees Beikong advance with a 2-0 series win and sets the stage for an eagerly awaited clash with city rivals, the Beijing Ducks, in the quarterfinals.
Grant Riller led the charge with game highs of 24 points and eight assists, energizing the home crowd with his confident play. Alongside him, Liao Sanning and Shen Zijie were formidable in the paint, contributing crucial free throws—a combined total of 13 attempts with 12 successful shots. Jared Sullinger also stepped up with a double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds, proving to be the only player to break double digits on the glass.
Despite not being especially accurate from downtown, with 14 misses out of 21 three-point attempts, Zhang Fan shined by sinking four of his six shots from beyond the arc, netting 16 points. Beikong built an early lead, starting with a 22-19 advantage at the end of the first quarter and expanding their margin to 19 points in the third quarter. Although a late rally by Dallas Moore and Gao Shiyan for Shandong brought the score within five points, the Royal Fighters sealed the deal with a decisive jumper by Meng Zikai and key free throws by Riller in the final seconds.
Reflecting on the hard-fought series, Riller said, "Just a big series, man, this is kind of what you dream of, what you sign up for. Two Beijing teams get to battle it out in the playoffs, and only one can advance. So we know they're a good team, so we just gotta come out, do what we did in this series. Play tough, execute the game plan, and I always like our chances." With this win, the Shandong Kylins not only bowed out of the playoffs but also extended their postseason losing streak to eight consecutive games.
This intense playoff showdown is a must-watch for basketball fans who love dynamic plays and high-stakes rivalries. Get your game face on and enjoy the ride as Beikong gears up to take on the Beijing Ducks! 🏀🔥
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Beikong knocks out Shandong, advances to quarterfinals in CBA Playoffs
cgtn.com
