Shanghai Sharks, Bayi Rocket into CBA Finals

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, April 06, 2002

Shanghai Sharks, Bayi Rocket into CBA Finals

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Regular-season winner Shanghai Sharks and defending champion Bayi Rockets fought back last-second comeback of their opponents to wrap up the semi-finals series by 3-0 of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) League on Friday.

This is the third time the two teams to vie in the finals, with the Rockets winning the previous two titles in the best-of-five face-off.

The Sharks seemed sharper this time as it held off the brave Jilin Northeast Tigers at home, winning 101-96 in Shanghai.

With promising sensation Yao Ming in the center, the Sharks got rid of the first-half looseness to steal back the lead in the decisive quarter.

Yao Ming, who had 38 points, 24 rebounds and five blocks, blocked away Zhao Anan's layup with 10 seconds to go on the clock, when the Sharks led 99-96.

Zhang Wenqi chipped in 20 points while Steve Harter scoring 15 points. Former Utah Jazz forward David Benoit had eight point and eight rebounds in 24 minutes.

Sun Jun, who had only five points in the second game, scored 34 points, with teammate American Roderick Gragoire havig 32 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

In Ningbo, Zhejiang province, the Rockets overcame a 59-52 deficit at the break to win 116-101 over Shandong Flaming Bulls.

The Best Scorer Liu Yudong scored 56 points to lead the six-time CBA champion for a 35-21 run in the third quarter to take the lead for the good.

Shandong backup center Ji Minshang had 25 points with two key players, Gong Xiaobin and Liu Tie, both being injured in previous matches.

The first game of the finals will start at Ningbo on April 10.

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