The Sichuan Blue Whales faced the Liaoning Flying Leopards in Game Five of the CBA Finals. Sichuan, having taken a 3-1 lead before the game on Sunday, would clinch the championship title on their home court.
Liaoning, bearing the hope of forcing the Finals back home, but Hamed Haddadi and his Sichuan have other plans. The Iranian takes firm control underneath with 22 points and 16 rebounds on the night.
The Blue Whales are trying to settle out the matters early. Wang Ruheng sinks the triple and gives the hosts a 14-point lead midway through the second quarter. Lester Hudson continues his good form throughout the series. His fadeaway jumper helps the visiting Liaoning stay alive, even though his efforts would be eclipsed by the Blue Whales team work.
Haddadi blocks the shot of Shavlik Randolph with Mike Harris setting up the fast break. Justin Dentmon would finish off the layup, and Sichuan would extend the lead to 23 midway through the third. Hudson, however, refuses to let the trophy slip away for a second consecutive season. He steps up by catching fire from distance.
The Liaoning shooting guard has three straight triples and cuts the deficit to 14 late in the period. The Flying Leopards see the hope of coming back. The visitors increase the pressure on both ends. Midway through the final quarter, Hudson sets up a quick break to help Liaoning draw within three.
Guo Ailun hits a crucial three late on. The Flying Leopards make it a two-point game. Guo adds 17 points on the night. Liu Zhixuan then cuts to the rack for a layup. The refs need the replay to decide the foul. But Liu misses one of two free throws, leaving the Flying Leopards no choice but to go for a three with just over 30 seconds to play.
They manage to defend the Blue Whales final attack. Hudson, with a game-high 39 points tough, couldn't hit the final three. Liaoning fall to Sichuan 94-91 to give in the series 4-1. The fans are erupted into cheers at the buzzer.
Sichuan become the fifth CBA championship team. Haddadi, the MVP for the Finals, kisses the floor. The Blue Whales players hug each other before finally lifting the CBA championship title in the award ceremony. It's the first ever national title in the franchise history.
"I'm very happy and very excited. We have spared no effort this season and proved that our hard work was worth it. We finally won the championship title," said Yang Xuezeng, Sichuan Blue Whales coach.