Morris scores 31 to power Beijing over Jilin

Defending champion Beijing overwhelmed Jilin 111-92 on Sunday thanks to Randolph Morris's 31 points, leading 2-0 in the best-of-five playoffs first round series at the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league.

Beijing, who won two titles out of the previous three seasons, is one win away from their fourth straight CBA semifinal appearance.

Beijing took a difficult road win in the two team's first meeting, but Morris, Stephon Marbury and Li Gen combined 73 points to make Sunday's game much easier.

"I think we played with confidence," said Marbury, who got 17 points, five assists and four steals.

Beijing converted 30 of their 52 two-point attempts to scores, while Jilin made 25 out of 60.

"We had our concentration," said Li Gen, who made 25 points, "Jilin is a strong team and we did well in defense."

Beijing had a 6-0 run to start the game, but Jilin responded with a same 6-0 to get back into the competition.

The host team had trouble in shooting three-pointers after Jilin's fighting back. Jilin held the lead only for a short time, before Beijing made another 9-2 to take back the advantage.

Both team attacked well in the rest part of the first quarter, in which Beijing edged the opponent 25-24.

Marbury and Morris found a path into the painting area, keeping Beijing the leading side. Jilin's defensive line began to get loose, and Beijing took the chance to dash out with a 20-4 run. Marbury and Li Gen each made two three-pointers in the run, helping Beijing close the second quarter with a 17-point advantage.

Jilin found back the rhythm after the half-time break. The gap was cut to ten points after six minutes into the quarter. Beijing called a timeout to came back, but Jilin's attacking remained hot. Beijing's lead went down to 10 points before the final period.

Beijing cooled down Jilin in the fourth quarter. The deficit went back to 17 points, and Jilin coach Jiang Xuyong had to call a time out. Jilin's leading scorer Dominique Jones went back to the bench after the time out, and Beijing eased to take the game with a 19-points margin.

Jones led Jilin with 32 points. Denzel Bowles contributed 27.

Beijing forward Zhai Xiaochuan added 17 points.

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