The Bayi Rockets have sailed into the semi-finals of the CBA
League for a record 11 times in a row after beating the Liaoning
Hunters for a 98-91 home win to wind up the best-of-five playoffs
first-round series 3-1.
Veteran Zhang Jinsong chipped in game-high 34 points, including
seven 3-pointers for the Rockets. Chen Ke contributed 18 points. Li
Nan, Mo Ke and Li Ke each gained 12 points in the win.
Liu Xiangtao paced the Hunters with 31 points. Butler Reggie
ended in a double-double with 26 points and 16 rebounds. No other
Liaoning players reached double figures.
The Rockets will face the Beijing Ducks, leaders of the North
Conference, in the semi-finals slated for Sunday.
Another semi-finals series will feature last year's champions
Guangdong Southern Tigers and the Jiangsu Dragons.
(Xinhua News Agency March 29, 2006)