Yu Dehao (L) of Xinjiang Flying Tigers competes during the 56th round match between Guangzhou Loong Lions and Xinjiang Flying Tigers at the 2020-2021 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Zhuji, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 13, 2021. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)
ZHUJI, China, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Joseph Young was heroic but unable to carry the Beijing Royal Fighters into the CBA playoffs.
The Guangzhou Loong Lions overcame the Xinjiang Flying Tigers 105-94 Tuesday in the last round of the CBA regular season. Coupled with Beijing's 106-99 loss to the Qingdao Eagles, Guangzhou scooped a last-gasp playoff berth at the expense of Beijing.
With both finishing the regular season with a 25-29 win-loss record, Guangzhou made the playoff due to their favorable head-to-head record against Beijing.
Despite resting Donatas Motiejunas, Xinjiang opened the match with a 12-4 lead, but after another Xinjiang paint player Zhou Qi was substituted, Guangzhou began to come back into contention and pulled back the first quarter at 28-23.
Isaac Haas' five points in a row going into the second quarter tied the game at 28-all, with Guangzhou outscoring Xinjiang 32-20 during the period to set up a seven-point halftime advantage.
Guangzhou never looked back from there. Ian Clark hit a three-pointer to trim Xinjiang's deficit to nine points, but Guangzhou held firm to secure their victory.
Dallas Moore led Guangzhou with 34 points and 11 assists. Haas also contributed a double-double of 20 points and 12 boards.
Guangzhou head coach Guo Shiqiang expressed his gratitude to the club management, players, and fans. "It has been half a year since I took charge. It's quite difficult for a rebuilt team. But everyone in this team has done so much, and players can gain something from today's achievement," he noted.
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.
Young continued his scoring run back from the locker room, but Wang Qingming and Zhao Tailong combined for 11 points as Qingdao came back. Johnson's second chance basket earned Qingdao a 72-71 lead heading into the final quarter.
With 4:10 remaining, Young got a chance to finish a three-point play and tie the game, but his ensuing free throw just rimmed out when Beijing trailed 88-87. On the other end, Qingdao went on a 10-0 spurt to dent Beijing's hope of reaching the playoff.
"These guys fought as hard as they could, and gave their best effort. Sometimes their best just isn't good enough," said Beijing head coach Stephon Marbury.
Young bettered the total scoring of his teammates, while four players reached double figures in points for Qingdao, led by Darius Adams' 29.
After finishing sixth in the regular season, Qingdao will face the Sichuan Blue Whales in round of 12 matches that kick off on Friday. Enditem
