The Beijing Ducks soared to a nail-biting 101-98 victory over the Nanjing Monkey Kings on Tuesday night in Nanjing, east China’s Jiangsu Province. This win marks their 31st of the regular season, propelling them to third place in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) standings.
The game kicked off with the Monkey Kings’ dynamic duo, Kendric Davis and Tacko Fall, aggressively attacking the paint and establishing an early lead. Sharpshooter Zhao Boqing added to Nanjing’s momentum with key three-pointers, keeping the hosts ahead by around five points for most of the first quarter. However, a clutch three-pointer by Chen Ying-Chun at the buzzer narrowed Beijing’s deficit to 28-25.
In the second quarter, Beijing found their rhythm from beyond the arc. Chen, along with Eugene German and Fang Shuo, unleashed a series of three-pointers that shifted the tide. With less than two minutes to go before halftime, their offensive surge put the Ducks ahead 51-48. Nuni Omot contributed four additional points, ensuring Beijing held a 55-52 advantage going into the break.
The third quarter saw Davis continue his scoring onslaught for Nanjing, but the Ducks responded with a balanced attack. Contributions from German, Zhou Qi, and Zeng Fanbo helped maintain Beijing’s slim lead, ending the quarter at 84-81.
As tensions mounted in the final quarter, Davis elevated his game, amassing a game-high 41 points and dishing out nine assists. A collision forced him off the court for medical attention with under three minutes remaining and the score knotted at 95-95. Seizing the opportunity, Zhou and German stepped up for Beijing, combining for six critical points. Despite a late three-pointer from Nanjing’s Zhu, it wasn’t enough to alter the outcome.
With this victory, the Beijing Ducks solidify their position as serious contenders in the CBA, showcasing resilience and teamwork in a high-pressure situation.
In other action, the Tianjin Pioneers triumphed over the Ningbo Rockets 111-104 on the road, adding more excitement to the CBA season.
