Wow, what a week it’s been for the Beijing Ducks in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA)! 🏀✨ Facing some of the league’s fiercest teams, the Ducks emerged with a commendable 2-1 record, wrapping up a challenging stretch in style.
The capital’s team kicked off the week against the Xinjiang Flying Tigers, suffering a tough 108-97 loss on the road. But hold on! They bounced back on New Year’s Day, stunning the three-time defending champions, the Liaoning Flying Leopards, with a 105-90 victory at home. Talk about a confidence booster! 🙌
Next up were the Zhejiang Golden Bulls, a team that had edged out Beijing twice last season. With memories of past defeats, the question on everyone’s mind was: Can the Ducks keep up their momentum and score another win? 🤔
Coach Xu Liming knew it wouldn’t be easy. While star center Zhou Qi was back on the court after recovering from his second injury this season, the team was missing their standout point guard Chen Ying-chun due to an ankle sprain. The stage was set for a nail-biting showdown. ⛹️♂️
From the tip-off, both teams were neck and neck, showcasing high shooting percentages and thrilling plays. Eugene German was on fire, tearing up the court and racking up 14 points in the first quarter alone! 🔥 By the end of the first period, the Ducks led 32-24, and the home crowd was buzzing.
Leveraging their inside game and sharp perimeter shooting, Beijing kept the Golden Bulls at bay. Every time Zhejiang tried to claw back, the Ducks were quick to shut them down. At halftime, they held a solid 65-50 lead. 🦆💪
The third quarter saw a slight slowdown from Beijing, but Coach Xu’s strategic substitutions kept the energy high and the offense efficient. By the end of the quarter, they extended their lead to 91-74.
In the final stretch, Zhang Cairen and Sun Yahui nailed back-to-back three-pointers, stretching the lead even further. With the game slipping into \"garbage time,\" the bench players and young talents seized their moment to shine. 🌟
When the final buzzer sounded, the Ducks secured a resounding 118-96 victory over the Golden Bulls. Not only did they set a season-high for points in a single game, but they also wrapped up their grueling week with heads held high. Two wins out of three against top-tier teams? That’s something to quack about! 🦆🎉
With this momentum, Beijing fans have plenty to look forward to as the season unfolds. Keep flying high, Ducks! 🚀
Reference(s):
Beijing ends tough CBA stretch with 2-1 record with win over Zhejiang
cgtn.com
