CBA Playoffs to Feature Nanjing Monkey Kings for First Time in Team History
The Nanjing Monkey Kings made a remarkable comeback from a 17-point deficit to defeat the Guangdong Southern Tigers 96-93 on the road in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, on Tuesday. This victory allowed Nanjing to become the 12th and final team...
TroibNews 
The Nanjing Monkey Kings made a remarkable comeback from a 17-point deficit to defeat the Guangdong Southern Tigers 96-93 on the road in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, on Tuesday. This victory allowed Nanjing to become the 12th and final team to secure a spot in the upcoming Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) Playoffs.
This spring, Nanjing will participate in its first postseason series, having been established in 2007 and joining the CBA prior to the 2014-15 season.
Guangdong started strong, launching a 12-2 run in the first quarter and expanding their lead to 17 points at 29-12, fueled by two consecutive three-pointers from Du Runwang. However, in the closing moments of the period, T.J. Leaf and Kendric Davis made aggressive plays in the paint, helping Nanjing finish the quarter trailing 34-21.
In the second quarter, Liu Dong and Tian Yuheng hit three-pointers that helped reduce Nanjing's deficit to single digits early on. Guangdong relied on Du's three-point shooting and Darius Bazley's drives to keep a steady lead, hovering around eight points. Nevertheless, Wu Tingjia's three and Davis's transition layup trimmed the Monkey Kings' deficit to just four points by halftime, at 54-50.
The third quarter saw Guangdong fall into a scoring slump after Bazley’s three-pointer. Nanjing took advantage, going on a 7-0 run to tie the game at 57-57, before taking a 66-62 lead, propelled by six consecutive points from Davis and Leaf. Tian also contributed from long range, and by the end of the quarter, the Monkey Kings held a 10-point lead at 79-69.
As the fourth quarter began, the Southern Tigers relied on Hu Mingxuan and Du for several three-pointers, managing to tie the game at 86-86. In response, Davis demonstrated his offensive prowess, scoring six points for Nanjing in the last two minutes. Guangdong faced its 12th regular season defeat when Ren Junfei's last-second attempt at a game-tying three-pointer missed its mark.
In other action that night, the Zhejiang Golden Bulls overcame the Xinjiang Flying Tigers 116-103 at home, putting an end to the visitors' three-game winning streak.
The 12 teams that have qualified for the CBA Playoffs include the Guangsha Lions, Shanxi Loongs, Xinjiang, Beijing Ducks, Shandong Kylins, Liaoning Flying Leopards, Guangdong, Shanghai Sharks, Qingdao Eagles, Zhejiang, Beikong Royal Fighters, and Nanjing. The final standings are yet to be decided, as several regular-season games remain on the schedule for each team.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
This spring, Nanjing will participate in its first postseason series, having been established in 2007 and joining the CBA prior to the 2014-15 season.
Guangdong started strong, launching a 12-2 run in the first quarter and expanding their lead to 17 points at 29-12, fueled by two consecutive three-pointers from Du Runwang. However, in the closing moments of the period, T.J. Leaf and Kendric Davis made aggressive plays in the paint, helping Nanjing finish the quarter trailing 34-21.
In the second quarter, Liu Dong and Tian Yuheng hit three-pointers that helped reduce Nanjing's deficit to single digits early on. Guangdong relied on Du's three-point shooting and Darius Bazley's drives to keep a steady lead, hovering around eight points. Nevertheless, Wu Tingjia's three and Davis's transition layup trimmed the Monkey Kings' deficit to just four points by halftime, at 54-50.
The third quarter saw Guangdong fall into a scoring slump after Bazley’s three-pointer. Nanjing took advantage, going on a 7-0 run to tie the game at 57-57, before taking a 66-62 lead, propelled by six consecutive points from Davis and Leaf. Tian also contributed from long range, and by the end of the quarter, the Monkey Kings held a 10-point lead at 79-69.
As the fourth quarter began, the Southern Tigers relied on Hu Mingxuan and Du for several three-pointers, managing to tie the game at 86-86. In response, Davis demonstrated his offensive prowess, scoring six points for Nanjing in the last two minutes. Guangdong faced its 12th regular season defeat when Ren Junfei's last-second attempt at a game-tying three-pointer missed its mark.
In other action that night, the Zhejiang Golden Bulls overcame the Xinjiang Flying Tigers 116-103 at home, putting an end to the visitors' three-game winning streak.
The 12 teams that have qualified for the CBA Playoffs include the Guangsha Lions, Shanxi Loongs, Xinjiang, Beijing Ducks, Shandong Kylins, Liaoning Flying Leopards, Guangdong, Shanghai Sharks, Qingdao Eagles, Zhejiang, Beikong Royal Fighters, and Nanjing. The final standings are yet to be decided, as several regular-season games remain on the schedule for each team.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
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