CBA Finals: Guo Ailun’s Liaoning Flying Leopards beat Guangdong Southern Tigers to level series

Series will come down to Saturday’s decisive game three after Guo Ailun’s heroics for the 2018 champion Flying Leopards

Reigning champion Southern Tigers, who won opening game 88-83, pegged back as they look to make it three CBA crowns in a row

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Guo Ailun of the Liaoning Flying Leopards celebrates a three-point shot during game two of the CBA Finals against the Guangdong Southern Tigers. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 11:03am, 30 Apr 2021Updated: 11:03am, 30 Apr 2021

The Liaoning Flying Leopards beat the Chinese Basketball Association champion Guangdong Southern Tigers in overtime on Thursday to level the 2021 CBA Finals at 1-1 and take the series to a decisive game three.

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.