Eric Moreland (R) of Liaoning Flying Leopards competes during the semifinal match between Liaoning Flying Leopards and Zhejiang Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league 2022-2023 season playoffs, in Shenyang of northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

The Liaoning Flying Leopards edged the Zhejiang Lions 95-84 on Friday, winning 3-2 in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league semifinals.

Defending champions Liaoning will meet another Zhejiang team in this season's CBA final - the Zhejiang Golden Bulls. Game 1 of the best-of-seven Finals is set to be played in Hangzhou on Monday.

This is the fourth consecutive season and the 11th time in history for Liaoning to compete in the CBA Finals, but the Golden Bulls will be making their first appearance at this stage.

Tied at 2-2 in the semifinal, both Liaoning and the Zhejiang Lions had to win to progress, making Friday's Game 5 a nailbiter.

The defending champions took the lead quickly in the first quarter, but were still tested by Zhejiang.

Zhejiang erased a 12-point deficit soon after the second quarter began, and led the home side by six points when the second half started.

Although Liaoning fought back to regain the advantage, the suspense continued to exist even in the last two minutes.

Liaoning finally secured the victory when Han Dejun added two points, and Li Xiaoxu hit a three-pointer and a lay-up.

Liaoning's Zhang Zhenlin and Zhejiang's Sun Minghui both scored a game-high 21 points. Six players in Liaoning's squad contributed double digits.

"All five games between ourselves and the Zhejiang Lions were all of high quality. I would say thanks to our opponents who inspired the best Liaoning side," said Yang Ming, head coach of the Liaoning Flying Leopards.

"For the next step, the CBA final, our core task is to adjust our players well," he added.

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