Jared Sullinger scored 33 points and grabbed 20 rebounds as the Shenzhen Aviators edged the Beijing Royal Fighters 106-102 to pull ahead 1-0 in the best-of-three first round of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league playoffs on Wednesday.

Jahlil Okafor (L) of Zhejiang Lions controls the ball during the play-off first leg match between Zhejiang Lions and Shanxi Loongs at the 2023-2024 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)

Sullinger led an 8-0 run after the tip-off, before Kay Felder scored 12 points to lift Beijing to a 32-29 lead after the first quarter.

Beijing continued the momentum to increase its advantage to 11 points early in the second quarter, before Shen Zijie and Sullinger combined to cut Beijing's deficit to two points at halftime.

He Xining stood out after the break, hitting four of his five attempts as Shenzhen retook an 80-75 lead after the third quarter. The two team had a seesaw last quarter and Shenzhen led 104-102 with 28 seconds to go, while Beijing's miscue in the final seconds dashed its hope of coming back into contention.

He scored 24 points and Shen contributed 15 points for Shenzhen.

"It was an intense match, both sides were very hungry for victory. We had a good start and we showed our determination in defense. The next game will be tougher and we will make full preparations," said Shenzhen coach Zheng Yonggang.

On the Beijing side, Felder had 33 points and Liao Sanning added 23.

Also on Wednesday, six players scored in double digits as the Zhejiang Lions eased past the Shanxi Loongs 107-97. 

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