Liaoning Flying Leopards visited the Shenzhen Leopards on Wednesday. Runners-up last season, Liaoning were behoping to bounce back from a defeat to Guangdong on Sunday, but coach Guo Shiqiang's team would be without the services of key guard Guo Ailun, who was feeling under the weather.
The hosts take advantage of Liaoning's depleted line-up early. Jeremy Pargo finds Gu Quan for three and Shenzhen jump out to a 7-0 lead.
But the visitors soon are able to trim the deficit, Shavlik Randolph spinning inside the lane and chucks this off the glass, and the deficit is two.
Liaonign 113 - Shenzhen 109
Shenzhen would continue to play from in front, Pargo working the pick and roll with, Dai Huaibo, who nails the triple to put his side up 9.
Pargo would dish out seven assists in the first half -- the last of those to Meng Duo, who beats the buzzer, giving Shenzhen an 8-point lead at recess.
But Liaoning take control after the break. Some slick passing sees Han Dejun feed Zhao Jiwei, who finds a cutting Randolph, and his flush gives the Flying Leopards their first lead.
Randolph would be a beast in the third Q, nailing this triple -- as he pours in 25 points in the quarter. He finished with 39 on the night as Liaoning take a six point edge.
But the Flying Leopards big man gets into foul trouble, pleading his innocence on this play, he would spend the final quarter on the bench.
Shenzhen continue to cut into Liaoning's lead, Li Muhao throws down the fast break dunk to reduce it to two, midway through the period.
And Gu Quan is able to dial long distance as the hosts trail by 1. Gu splurged for a team high 31 points.
Lester Hudson then steps up late, and hits from the land beyond, extending Liaoning's lead to 6.
Shenzhen then foul the opposition to stop the clock. The home crowd try and distract the shooter, and that includes the team's cheerleaders on the left of your screen. The referees say they are being a little too boisterous -- and tell them to move along. Liaoning seal the game from the free throw line, grabbing a 113-109 victory.
In the other games, Bayi were thrashed by Guangsha, and and have lost five straight. Shandong defeated Beikong. Defending champs Sichuan edged Jiangsu and Fujian overcame Guangzhou by five points.
