Hudson's triple double carries Liaoning over Beijing in CBA finals
Xinhua, March 15, 2015 Adjust font size:
Guard Lester Hudson missed all his 10 three-point attempts, but he ended up his triple-double night with a perfect layup, helping Liaoning edge Beijing 109-108 in CBA finals Game 3.
Liaoning led the series 2-1, moving within two wins from the team's first CBA title.
Former NBA player Hudson, who recorded 31 points 11 rebounds and 12 assists through the game, put the ball into the basket with 2.9 seconds left to help Liaoning lead 109-108. Beijing used up timeouts and their final attack turned out to be a turnover. Liaoning took the second straight victory in the series.
Liaoning forward Deon Thompson added 17 points. Big center Han Dejun finished with 17 points and 10 boards. He Tianju sank four three pointers to take home 16 points. Liaoning starting point guard Guo Ailun made 14 points, 10 of which came in the fourth quarter.
"Our execution was good and that's the main reason for our victory," said Liaoning head coach Guo Shiqiang. The former Chinese national team player coached Liaoning to reach 2007-2008 season CBA finals in which Liaoning lost to Guangdong 4-1.
Beijing's guard Stephon Marbury, a former NBA player, had a game-high 42 points. Randolph Morris made 22 points and seven rebounds. Forward Li Gen got 15 points.
"We did well in rebounds, but we could've done better in the final few minutes," said Beiing coach Min Lulei.
"Hudson had the ability to score," he added.
Liaoning was the only team to have beaten Beijing in the MasterCard Center in the 2014-2015 season CBA playoffs.
It was a close game. Liaoning started the match in 7-6, only to see Beijing bounced back with a 10-0 run. Hudson attacked the basket to bring Liaoning back into the game, but Beijing shooters did well beyond the arc. Beijing finished the first period 29-23.
The second quarter saw a better Liaoning team. He Tianjun made his first three pointer to cut the gap to four points. Hudson took over the game, hitting a series of free-throws to help the away team rally back. Liaoning summed up the first half with a 50-49 advantage.
Liaoning extended the lead after a 7-2 spurt in the third quarter. The advantage turned to be 61-51 before Morris and Marbury shot down seven straight points to draw Beijing back.
Thompson stood out for Liaoning after Hudson missed several shots, and Liaoning kept on leading 80-77 by the end of the third quarter.
The breath-taking final quarter saw a strong Marbury. The 38-year-old former NBA All-Star played all the 12 minutes. His free-throw moved Beijing up to 108-107 lead in the final minute, but Hudson's layup became the decider of the game.
Game 4 will take place on Tuesday on the same court. Endi