Beijing upset Liaoning to take Game 1 at CBA finals

Forward Sun Yue's seven three-pointers lifted Beijing to a 103-84 victory over Liaoning in Game 1 at the finals of Chinese Basketball Assoication (CBA) league on Tuesday.

Beijing guard Stephon Marbury scratched Liaoning center Han Dejun in the right eye in the fourth quarter and forced Han to have a cure, giving Beijing a scoring run. Liaoning narrowed the gap to five points before the foul but then Beijing pulled off a 12-2 run to secure the win.

Beijing scored only three points in the first five minutes in the first quarter. After the timeout, the defending champions outscored the hosts 21-5 to close the first quarter 24-15.

Deon Thompson's nine points in the second quarter helped Liaoning to cut Beijing's lead to six points by halftime. Liaoning shooting guard Lester Hudson scored 10 of his team-high 26 points in the third quarter but Beijing had a 11-3 run in the final minutes of the quarter to see a 12-point edge into final period.

Sun Yue's four three-pointers in the final quarter brought Beijing their opening victory of the best-of-seven series and found the home-court advantage.

Sun finished with a match-high 27 points as well as eight rebounds, three blocks and five assists.

"It was not an easy game. We played good defense and it's impossible for Liaoning to win the game with only 84 points," said Sun Yue.

Five Beijing players reached double figures. Marbury had 22 and dished out nine assists. Randolph Morris contributed a double-double of 10 points and 14 rebounds. Zhu Yanxi scored 12 points, which all came from three-point shooting.

Liaoning only scored five three-pointers from their 23 attempts and was outnumbered in rebounded at 33-47. Hudson had 26 points, six rebounds and seven steals. Thompson scored only 12 while Yang Ming and Han Dejun combined for 24.

The second game will be played here on Thursday.