Beijing edges Guangdong for 1st CBA title
- By Xiang Bin
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E-mail China.org.cn, March 31, 2012
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Beijing Ducks players celebrate their first-ever CBA title after beating defending Guangdong Hongyuan in the best-of-seven final series in Beijing on Friday. [Photo\Xinhua] |
Beijing made history in a thriller against Guangdong and clinched its first CBA championship.
Stephon Marbury capped the series with another MVP performance, with 41 points and 7 assists, to lead the Beijing Ducks to a 124-121 victory over the Guangdong Southern Tigers in Game 5 of the CBA Finals on Friday night.
Guangdong captured the crown in seven of the past eight seasons. With the win, the Ducks became the fourth CBA winners in 17 years. Bayi Rockets are eight-time winners, in addition to Shanghai Sharks (1) and Guangdong.
"This has been incredible; it has been an incredible experience," a tearful Marbury said after winning his first major title. "This shows what this team is made up of, everyone stepped up and everyone played their role. We have been blessed as a team."
Defending champion Guangdong took control of the game from in middle of the first quarter and built a 15-point lead early in the second. Trailing 25-40, Beijing launched a 15-0 run, including 8 consecutive points by Marbury to tie the game. Marbury scored 21 points in the second quarter to give Beijing a 62-57 lead into the second half.
The game remained close throughout the second half as the two teams exchanged leads multiple times. Tigers' Aaron Brooks helped the visitors regain an 8-point lead in the fourth quarter after tossing up two consecutive three-pointers.
With three minutes to go, the teams were tied at 119 and then at 121. Marbury fouled out with 1:20 left. But Randolph Morris and Chen Lei held their nerves to make three free throws in the final seconds to secure Beijing's victory.
"We believed, we are a team, Stephon carried us the whole game, but when he fouled out, everyone knew that we had to step up to win," Morris said.
Aaron Brooks led Guangdong with 33 points, while James Singleton scored 29 and grabbed 9 rebounds.
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Beijing Ducks playmaker Stephon Marbury celebrates his first-ever CBA title after beating defending champion Guangdong Hongyuan in the best-of-seven final series in Beijing on Friday. [Photo\Xinhua] |
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