Guangdong takes 2-0 lead over Xinjiang in CBA finals

DONGGUAN, South China, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Guangdong Hongyuan defended their home court on Sunday by beating Xinjiang Guanghui 85-80, taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven final series of the Chinese Basketball Association league (CBA).

The match was sustained by an after-game brawl between Xinjiang's Charles Gaines and Guangdong's Du Feng.

The pair had body contact on the rebound contest during Xinjiang's last possession when Du seemed attacked Gaines with his head.

Charles responded with a punch on Du's face and Du fell with hands on his eyes when the game time expired.

Both teams were escorted out of the court when local audiences threw in bottles. Du was stretched out about 10 minutes after the game.

No final penalties had been taken against the pair, whom might be punished with suspensions in the following games.

Game three and four will be played in Xinjiang's home court on Wednesday and Friday.

Gaines had the team-high 19 points and 17 rebounds while Menk Bateer adding 13 points and seven rebounds.

Xinjiang took an early lead in the first quarter by 24-16, but let a 14-point lead loose in the second quarter when Guangdong led 46-38 with 1:50 minutes left in the first half.

David Harrison had 17 points, eight rebounds and seven blocks to stop Xinjiang's court-attack in the second half and guard Smush Parker had the game-high 26 points and 10 rebounds.