Jeremy Lin sits out as Beijing Ducks go nine in a row in CBA play-off hunt
- NBA champion rested ahead of tougher games against Fujian Sturgeons and Stephon Marbury’s Beijing Royal Fighters
- Ducks sit third in the standings as regular season nears its end ahead of shortened play-offs
Jeremy Lin sat out the Beijing Ducks game against the Sichuan Blue Whales in Qingdao but his teammates made it nine wins in a row for the championship hopefuls with an 84-73 victory.
In Lin’s absence, which was not injury-enforced, his teammates stepped up with China’s Zhai Xiaochuan scoring 23 points plus nine rebounds and Ekpe Udoh adding 20 points and 14 rebounds.
The win over the struggling Blue Whales, who have lost nine in row, strengthened the Ducks’ third-place on the standings as the regular season nears its end.
The top-four teams in the CBA get a bye to the last eight of the play-offs, which are set to begin at the end of the month. This season’s play-offs will be shortened, beginning with a one-off game to decide who joins the top-four and then best of three series.
Lin is expected to be recalled to the starting line-up for the games against the Fujian Sturgeons on Wednesday and Stephon Marbury’s Beijing Royal Fighters on Friday.