ZHOU QI contributed 23 points and 13 rebounds as the visiting Xinjiang Flying Tigers edged the Beijing Ducks for a nail-biting 88-87 victory, while Shenzhen Aviators beat Jiangsu Dragons 109-102 at home in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) games on Wednesday.

Xinjiang controlled the paint area as the visitors grabbed 17 offensive rebounds and outnumbered Beijing 12 rebounds in the tough battle.

The last 14.2 seconds witnessed the dramatic moments. After Zeng Lingxu hit a 3-pointer to give Xinjiang the lead, Zhai Xiaochuan answered with a basket from the arc for 88-87 with 7.2 seconds remaining. Then came on Zhou, who missed his two free throws, but Xinjiang still celebrated its win as Zhai failed to make a buzzer-beater.

“I planned for Jeremy Lin to execute the last shot, but I was not sure if he could get the ball,” said Beijing’s head coach Yannis Christopoulos.

Lin posted 21 points and five assists for Beijing, and Ekpe Udoh hit 12 out of 19 attempts for 27 points and 12 rebounds. Eric Mika got 20 points and 13 rebounds for Xinjiang.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Dwight Buycks posted 34 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for Shenzhen, while Li Muhao added 21 points and 11 rebounds. Miroslav Raduljica scored a game-high 40 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for the losing side.

Shenzhen had the upper hand all the way throughout the game as they boosted a 15-0 spurt in the opening quarter. With nine minutes remaining, Jiangsu cut the deficit to 91-90, before the hosts held out the challenge to seal the 109-102 victory thanks to Buycks.

”I feel proud of my players,” Shenzhen coach Wang Jianjun said. “They spared no efforts  and deserved the victory.”     (Xinhua)