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BEIJING - Their losing streak is still alive. Their previously untouched home-court advantage is dead.
Still, the Beijing Ducks remain upbeat after their young guns were honed and tested over the past week.
Relinquishing a 23-point lead and losing their third straight game to the Zhejiang Lions, 118-112, on Wednesday, the Beijing Ducks are still tied atop the standings, thanks in large part to a young roster that contributed heavily to its season-opening run of 13 wins in a row.
"I have to give credit to our young players, although we lost the battle tonight. They've done what they could as rookies and played a key role in our winning streak," Ducks coach Min Lulei said. "They have the skills and the passion, they just need more experience. That's why I used them a lot despite the ups and downs."
Beijing's duo of Zhai Xiaochuan and Zhu Yanxi - both playing their first seasons in the CBA - combined for 30 points and 11 rebounds.
The tall, thin pair were a mismatch against Zhejiang's 2.21-meter center, P.J. Ramos, who had 26 points and 14 rebounds and led the Lions' comeback run after Beijing big men Ji Zhe and Randolph Morris fouled out in the fourth quarter.
Guarding the monstrous Ramos proved too tall an order for Zhai and Zhu, whose scoring momentum was hampered by fierce body contact in the paint.
Still, star guard Stephon Marbury said he was impressed the pair stayed aggressive and mentally tough.
"Tough game tonight to lose, but we played better," said Marbury, who delivered 34 points, six rebounds, nine assists and four steals. "This is a learning curve for us as a team. We will continue to have challenges throughout the year, which will prepare us for the playoffs. Our young players played well and had great effort."
Min acknowledged the mismatch in the paint late in the game was a blow to the squad's confidence, but stressed the team won't beat itself up over the loss.
"Honestly, I started to worry that it would frustrate our young men a little bit. But actually, we have been good enough," Min said. "We are even surprised by our performance in the first half of the season. We still have to position ourselves properly. We are not as dominating as our rankings yet. We still have long way to go."
China Daily
(China Daily 12/30/2011 page24)
