CBA Roundup: Beijing, Zhejiang notch comeback victories to start new campaign

BEIJING -- The Beijing Ducks started their 2023-24 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league season with a 104-96 comeback victory over the Jilin Northeast Tigers, while the Zhejiang Golden Bulls also rallied past the Shanghai Sharks 117-102 on Sunday.

Beijing outscored Jilin 37-19 in the third quarter to erase a five-point deficit at halftime, and never looked back from there.

Five Beijing players hit double figures in points, led by center Fan Ziming's 20. Ty Leaf had a double-double of 16 points and 13 rebounds.

Initiating their attack in the paint, Beijing raced into a 5-0 lead, while Jilin responded with a 10-0 run. In a quarter featuring multiple turnovers for both sides, Jilin began to take control of the game as Wu Changze scored five points in a row and Dezmine Wells hit two from far beyond the arc to lift the visitors to a 29-22 lead.

Wells' hot shooting touch stretched into the second quarter as he buried another two 3-pointers, while Beijing answered with Zhu Yanxi, Tian Yuxiang and Fang Shuo contributing to the scoresheet. But Jilin managed to regain their lead afterwards, with Li An's shot from 3-point range in the final seconds knotting the halftime score at 51-46.

With Fan taking center stage in the paint, Beijing bounced back strongly after the break, establishing a 10-point advantage midway through the third quarter after Zeng Fanbo made a 3-pointer.

Entering the last quarter ahead 83-70, Beijing extended their advantage to 17 points, but Wells spearheaded a 10-0 scoring run for Jilin. Jiang Weize's 3-pointer off the balance trimmed the deficit to five points with less than one minute to go, but Beijing held off their opponents with composure on the free throw line.

"It was hard, the first game of the season," admitted Beijing head coach Ernest Raden. "We suffered nine turnovers in the first quarter, but we played hard and aggressive until the last moment."

Wells made five 3-pointers to tally a game-high 28 points. Jiang Yuxing and Jiang Weize had 24 and 16 respectively.

"I had too many turnovers, so I take responsibility for this loss, but I think we have a great chance of doing something special this year," said Wells.

Zhejiang, who finished runners-up last season, made an early statement for the title with a triumphant start. Retaining their main roster which made last season's finals, Zhejiang raced to a 9-3 start and led 25-22 as the first quarter ran out.

But Shanghai came into the second quarter with a 14-0 spurt, with Liu Cheng leading the way with 12 points. Shanghai built a 52-46 advantage at halftime.

Zhejiang pocketed 39 points in the third quarter to race ahead 85-78 after three quarters, and another 8-2 run early in the final frame set the tone for their resounding victory.

Zhejiang put on a balanced performance in offense with six players scoring in double digits. On the Shanghai side, Kevin Ferrell and Luo Hanchen had 21 points each, and China international center Wang Zhelin scored 13 points and grabbed 10 boards.

Also on Sunday, the Shenzhen Aviators prevailed over the Sichuan Blue Whales 88-69, the Ningbo Rockets edged the Tianjin Pioneers 102-97, and the Zhejiang Lions beat the Fujian Sturgeons 111-104.

The three remaining matches of the CBA's first round take place on Monday.