Guangzhou surpasses Beijing to secure final CBA playoff spot (3)

Guo Shiqiang, head coach of Guangzhou Loong Lions, reacts during the 56th round game, April 13, 2021. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

Guangzhou will contend for a last-eight berth against fifth-ranked Shandong Heroes, and the winner will take on Xinjiang in the quarterfinals.

Finishing with a match-best 53 points, Young almost single-handedly powered Beijing into the playoffs.

He scored 10 points to pace Beijing ahead 12-7. Qingdao center Dakari Johnson was dominant in the paint coming off the bench, and Zhang Chengyu's jumper at the buzzer helped Qingdao knot the first quarter score at 25-25.

Down 34-27 early in the second quarter, Qingdao used a 10-0 run to move ahead, but Young was unstoppable later on and scored all 11 points as Beijing led 50-41 at the intermission.