Bayi Wins CBA Title


Bayi Wins CBA Title
A two-man efforts of Wang Zhizhi and Liu Yudong handed the Bayi Rockets the sixth successive title of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) when they beat the Shanghai Sharks 3-1 overall after Wednesday's 128-118 victory in Shanghai Luwan Stadium.

Wang scored 40 points, 12 in the fourth quarter, while forward Liu chipping in 41, with 11 rebounds under each name, to held back Sharks' last-quarter comeback.

Leading by 20 points at 99-79 at the end of the third quarter, Rockets lost the control of the game when Sharks cut the deficit to 101-93 with a 14-2 run in 3:05.

Pivot Wang came back to the court to put Rockets back to the game with two three-pointers and a 15-foot jumper in row.

"I knew that is my game at that time. I should take those shots and I was confident with myself," said Wang, who will go to the National Basketball Association with the Dallas Mavericks after the finals.

Rockets drilled in 18 three-pointers in their 39 attempts, with Sharks only 8-18 beyond the arch, and also beat Sharks on rebounds, 46-44.

"We couldn't hold their fire no matter we played one-on-one or team defence," Sharks' coach Li Qiuping said.

Guard Damon Stringer scored team-high 32 points, added with eight rebounds, and Yao Ming contributed 21 and eight rebounds in his worst game in the best-of-five series.






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