Beijing beat Liaoning for 3rd CBA title in four years

Players of Beijing celebrate with their trophy after beating Liaoning in Game 6 of Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) Finals series in Benxi on Sunday.  [Photo/Xinhua]

Zhai Xiaochuan was the key player in Beijing's victory by hitting five baskets beyond the arc and finished with a game-high 27 points. Randolph Morris scored 19 points.

Liaoning's top scorer Lester Hudson had 27 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. He Tianju added 21 points with four 3-pointers. Guo Ailun and Han Dejun contributed 15 and 12 points respectively.

Liaoning reached the CBA finals five times but never won the crown.

Liaoning shot out to a quick 8-point lead, but Li Gen scored seven straight points to bring Beijing back 24-23 in the first quarter. Liaoning made 10 turnovers in the quarter.

The second quarter was a tight game. Liaoning tied the score 50-50 by Li Xiaoxu's tip-in, before Zhai buried a 3-pointer to keep Beijing's lead 53-50 at the half.

Zhai kept his hot hand after the break with two straight 3-pointers, which made Beijing hold a 10-point lead for the first time in the match. And Liaoning could never catch up from this turning point.