Liaoning overwhelm Guangdong in CBA semifinal decider

BEIJING - The Liaoning Flying Leopards smashed the Guangdong Southern Tigers 116-95 to clinch a 3-2 victory in the best-of-five Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) semifinals on Saturday.

Liaoning had a 9-2 run at the end of the first quarter before extending their advantage to 58-43 at the break.

Guangdong narrowed the deficit to 11 points entering the fourth period, while Zhao Jiwei buried two 3-pointers as Liaoning started the final quarter with a 9-0 sprint and expanded their lead to 20 points, putting the game beyond reach.

Zhao led Liaoning with 31 points and 13 rebounds, followed by 19 points from Kyle Fogg. Fu Hao added 18 points.

"All our guys are heroes today. We tried our best in these five games against Guangdong. Now we will have a good rest and get prepared for the final against Xinjiang," Liaoning head coach Yang Ming said after the game.

Guangdong's Tremont Waters had a team-high 24 points and seven assists. Hu Mingxuan contributed 21 points, and Xu Jie added 15.

The best-of-seven CBA finals between Liaoning and the Xinjiang Flying Tigers will commence on Liaoning's home court next Wednesday.