Beijing Ducks closer to title following second win in Finals

DONGGUAN, South China - Steven Marbury missed out on two free throws with less than 10 seconds left, but the Beijing Ducks still managed to defeat defending champions Guangdong Dongguan Bank 109-106 here on Friday in the second game of the Chinese Basketball Association League finals.

Holding a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, the Ducks are closer to their first ever CBA title. No team could come back from 2-0 behind in the finals to win in the CBA's 17-year history.

Despite the favorable odds, Marbury remained cool.

"Guangdong is the best team in CBA, although we are enjoying a 2-0 lead now, we should be cautious in the games ahead," said the former NBA star, who contributed 23 points and nine assists.

"The game is not over, the most tough game will be the next."

Guangdong would regret for their complacency when they were enjoying an 87-77 lead before the fourth quarter, only to see Beijing turn the tables in the last 12 minutes.
"You should concentrate when trailing. We have done a great job today, but I am not speaking out any ambition, the ambition only lies inside our hearts," said Beijing's coach Min Lulei.

Aaron Brooks scored team-high 25 points for Guangdong, while Morris had 33 points for the visitors. Guangdong's MVP Wang Shipeng lost his sharpness with only seven points.
"We made too many turnovers. If you have 20 of that things on the sheet, there will be no chance to win, not at all," said Guangdong's coach Li Chunjiang.

Li insisted that it was far from the end of the story.

"It is difficult for us, but we still have chances to come back. We are the defending champions, but we are not defending the championship, actually we are striving to snatch it," said Li.