Beijing defeats Xinjiang in 1st game of CBA finals

Stephon Marbury of Beijing Ducks breaks through during their Game 1 of the Chinese Association league (CBA) finals against Xinjiang Guanghui in Urumqi, Xinjiang, March 19, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

URUMCHI - Former NBA player Stephon Marbury grabbed 21 points and 5 assists to lead Beijing Ducks defeated Xinjiang Guanghui 95-75 in Game 1 of the Chinese Association league (CBA) finals on Wednesday.

Shirelijan started the game with a 3-pointer, then Lester Hudson and Su Wei hit 2 free-throws respectively, helped Xinjiang to make a 7-1 start at the beginning of the game. Zhang Songtao scored 7 points in a row to lead Beijing cut the deficit to only 1 point. Later this quarter, another 2 points of him helped Beijing overtake Xinjiang for the first time and then ended this quarter with 29-28.

Ji Zhe of Beijing Ducks hit a 3-pointer, the first field goal of both teams with 10 minutes remaining in the second quarter. Both team played with a strong defensive mode, Beijing did well in offence also while Xinjiang failed to attack in an orderly form. With scoring only 11 points in this quarter, Xinjiang trailed by 7 at the end of the first half.

Beijing established a 2-digit advantage with a 3 pointer from former NBA player Sun Yue at the beginning of the third quarter. Morris played a productive role behind the free-throw line, hitting 6 of the next 8 free throws. Beijing led by 15 with 62-47.

Xinjian then scored 7 straight points to make it a close game again before former NBA player Marbury led Beijing regain a 12-point margin with 12 minutes remaining.

Morris again dominated the beginning of the last quarter with a pair of free throws, several shots as well as an impressive block on Su Wei' s dunk. With Sun Yue adding a layup and the following free throw, Beijing led Xinjiang by 20 points and they were able to keep that margin to the end of the game, 95-75. Beijing led 1-0 in the best-of-7 series.

Randolph Morris grabbed a game-high 23 points and 13 rebounds for Beijing. Sun Yue and Zhang Songtao contributed 15 points respectively. Hudson and James Singleton scored 21 and 18 points for Xinjiang.