🏀 The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) season tipped off with a bang as the Beijing Ducks soared over the Shanghai Sharks in an epic 111-107 overtime victory on Sunday! 🔥
Despite missing key players like Fang Shuo, Zhai Xiaochuan, Zeng Fanbo, and Zhou Qi due to suspensions and injuries, the Ducks showed incredible resilience. The Sharks, flexing their full roster, took an early lead, wrapping up the first half ahead at 59-51.
Shanghai's Tremont Waters was on fire, dropping 13 points and dishing out 7 assists in the first half, while D.J. Wilson added 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. Over on the Ducks' side, Nuni Omot kept the team in the game with 12 points, but teammates Richard Solomon and Eugene German struggled to find their rhythm early on.
The third quarter saw Shanghai extend their lead to a hefty 16 points, thanks to Wang Zhelin's quick 7 points and 2 rebounds. But just when it seemed like the game was slipping away, the Ducks said, \"Not today!\" 🦆 They launched an 11-0 run, cutting the deficit and signaling a comeback was on the horizon.
Enter Chen Ying-Chun, who channeled his inner clutch performer in the fourth quarter. After nailing his first three-pointer, he sank two more, energizing the home crowd and pushing the Ducks ahead 101-99 with just 44 seconds to go! 😱 Though the Sharks managed to tie it up, a thrilling block by Li Tianrong sent the game into overtime.
Overtime was nothing short of a rollercoaster. 🎢 The Ducks missed their first five shots, but German stepped up big time! He completed a critical three-point play and drained a massive triple to put Beijing ahead 109-107. With two key steals by Zhang Cairen and German, the Sharks' hopes of a comeback sank beneath the waves. 🌊
This game had it all: drama, determination, and a display of pure heart from the shorthanded Beijing Ducks. If this is how the CBA season is starting, we can't wait to see what's next! 🎉
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
