BEIJING, March 12 (Xinhua) -- A strong third quarter helps Xinjiang coming from behind to beat Liaoning 102-90 while Guangdong also defeated Shenzhen at 98-88 in Sunday's CBA playoffs. Both team now take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Liaoning, who suffered a 93-118 defeat on in their first game against Xinjiang on Friday, had a good start in the beginning as they led as many as 11 in the first period. After tying 22-22 in the second quarter, Xinjiang fought back in the second half and used a 10-0 run to turn the table and headed into the final period with a lead of 12 points.
Liaoning cut the gap to only eight in the middle of the fourth quarter by forcing Xinjiang to too many turnovers. But the home team then answered with straight three-pointers to secure the victory.
Andray Blatche finished with a match-high 29 points, 13 rebounds and five assists for Xinjiang while Zhou Qi took a double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds. Four Liaoning players scored in double-digits with Lester Hudson had a team-high 21. He made in only three three-pointers from 13 attempts. Liaoning was outrebounded by 36-49.
The next three matches will be played in Benxi, Liaoning.
Guangdong also took a 2-0 lead after tonight's match but a bad news for them is that their superstar Yi Jianlian got injured in a fast-break in the third quarter and failed to complete the match.
Donald Sloan saved Guangdong's night. He almost completed with a triple-double as the guard finished with 28 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists. Former NBA all-star forward Carlos Boozer helped with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Zhou Peng added 22 for Guangdong. Yi took 13 before he walked out.
Once again, Shenzhen missed too many free-throws. They were 15-of-23 at the free-throw line in Friday's game and it got worse today as the Leopard missed 15 from 35 attempts. Jeremy Pargo and Maciej Lampe combined 42 for Shenzhen while Li Muhao added 20.
The third match will be played in Shenzhen on Wednesday.