It ended 102-98 to the “hosts”, though the game was played in the CBA bubble in Zhuji. Fans have been allowed in to watch the repeat of last year’s CBA Finals.
Liaoning were led by star player Guo Ailun, who top scored with 33 points, while CBA Rookie of the Season Zhang Zhenlin added 24 points. Kyle Fogg supported with 15 points.
Last year’s Finals MVP Sonny Weems top scored for the visitors with 28 points and teammate Zhao Rui scored 27 points.
The Southern Tigers started the gam the brighter, knowing that victory would secure them an 11th CBA crown and their third in a row.
They were up nine points in the first quarter and had a six-point lead at half-time. Liaoning surged in the third quarter to a six-point lead of their own, stretching it to eight at one stage, before going bucket for bucket in the fourth.
CBA Finals: champions Guangdong Southern Tigers draw first blood against Liaoning Flying Leopards
Zhao Jiwei’s late three took it to overtime, with Zhao Rui missing a buzzer beater to win it for Guangdong, and it ended with the series levelled.
“It’s dramatic match, and it’s a pity we lost,” Southern Tigers coach Du Feng said after the defeat, as reported by Xinhua. “We put up solid defence throughout the match, but couldn’t stop Zhao’s three-pointer. But this is basketball.”
Liaoning coach Yang Ming had special praise for Guo, who was key to the Leopards’ last CBA title in 2018.
“He is the kind of player with a big heart. The more important the match is, the more he is able to keep motivated and give full play to his potential,” Yang said. “He is capable of rising to the occasion when crunch time hits.”
“Now what we need most is to calm down, because the series has not come to the end yet.”
Game three takes place on Saturday.
