Shanxi records best as CBA concludes regular season

Charles Gaines scored a game-high 41 points as Shanxi Zhongyu beat Dongguan Marco Polo 124-114 at home to record its best in franchise history with the third place when 34-round CBA regular season concluded. The last eight who enter the playoffs came out as Guangdong Hongyuan vs. Fujian SBS, runners-up Beijing Ducks vs. Zhejiang Guangsha, Shanxi Zhongyu vs. 6th-place Shanghai Sharks and Xinjiang Guanghui, the fourth vs. Dongguan Marco Polo. Charles made 20-of-25 field goals and scored 21 of his 41 points in the second quarter, followed by Marcus Williams, who also got a hot hand buried 4-of-5 three pointers with 37 points and 10 rebounds. "We did a pretty good job tonight and we have made history with the third place in the league. Offensively, we posed great pressure to Dongguan. Hereby, I would like to give my full credit to all my boys for their effort and brilliant performance throughout the season," said Shanxi Zhongyu coach Yang Xuezeng. Tim Pickett collected 42 points as Xinjiang Guanghui, going up 28-22 in the first quarter, pulled away to a 104-79 overwhelming win over Fujian SBS, who ranked 8th place, would confront league leader Guangdong Hongyuan in the first round of playoffs. In Wednesday's other games, Liaoning Hengye beat Zhejiang Chouzhou 113-90, Shanghai Sharks beat Tianjin Ronggang 89-85, Foshan Long Lions beat Qingdao Doublestars 107-101, Zhejinag Guangsha beat Beijing Ducks 114-94, Guangdong Hongyuan beat Bayi Fubang 92-91, Jiangsu Dragons beat Jilin Northeast Tigers 142-127.