BEIJING, April 26 (Xinhua) -- In a playoff showdown in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) on Friday night, the Xinjiang Flying Tigers soared to a commanding 93-71 win over the Guangzhou Loong Lions, securing a 3-1 series triumph to enter the semifinals.
The game kicked off with Zhao Rui showcasing stellar form for Xinjiang, delivering shots that propelled his team to an early lead. However, forward Abdusalam Abdurexit committed six turnovers in the quarter to allow Guangzhou to quickly overturn the scoreline.
During the second quarter, Lindell Wigginton, previously struggling in the series, exploded with a burst of energy. Scoring 10 points in a single quarter, the Canadian guided Xinjiang to a narrow 41-40 lead at halftime.
In the second half, Zhao continued his hot streak, sinking crucial three-pointers to extend Xinjiang's lead to double digits. With a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Yu Dehao in the corner, Xinjiang entered the final quarter with a 17-point advantage.
Unable to match Xinjiang's intensity, Guangzhou mustered only 31 points during the second half, and Xinjiang sealed the convincing win, with Zhao contributing 18 points and five assists.
In another game, the Shanghai Sharks beat the Zhejiang Golden Bulls 112-107 at home, knotting the series at 2-2. The winner of the decisive fifth game will face Xinjiang in the semifinals. ■
