The Beijing Ducks overcame a fierce fourth-quarter comeback by the Shanxi Loongs to secure a 106-99 victory on the road, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-five CBA playoff semifinals.
The second-seeded Loongs, eager to even the series after a 102-94 loss in Game One, started strong with Chen Pengyudi knocking down consecutive three-pointers to give the hosts an early edge. The Ducks faced an early setback when center Richard Solomon twisted his ankle in the first quarter, forcing him to exit the game.
Stepping up in Solomon’s absence, Zhou Qi showcased impressive skills in the paint, contributing 15 points and anchoring Beijing’s defense. His efforts helped the Ducks establish a six-point lead by halftime.
After the break, Beijing extended their advantage with Chen Ying-Chun exploding for 10 points in the third quarter. However, the Ducks suffered another blow when forward Zeng Fanbo, the CBA’s Most Improved Player this season, took a hard fall after a layup and was unable to return.
Refusing to back down, the Loongs launched a spirited rally in the final quarter. Zhang Ning sparked the comeback by hitting three clutch triples, tallying 18 points overall. Hamidou Diallo added a game-high 28 points, including a crucial three-point play that trimmed Beijing’s lead to single digits.
Despite Shanxi’s surge, Chen Ying-Chun remained composed, sinking three pivotal three-pointers in the closing minutes to finish with a team-high 23 points. His timely shooting ensured the Ducks held onto their lead until the final buzzer.
With this win, the Beijing Ducks are just one victory away from reaching the CBA Finals for the first time in a decade. They will have the opportunity to close out the series at home in Game Three on Friday.
