The Shenzhen Aviators and the Zhejiang Lions emerged victorious in the deciding Game 3 on their home courts to move into the last eight of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league playoffs on Monday.

Shenzhen used a big second half to prevail over the Beijing Royal Fighters 117-97, while Zhejiang cruised past the Shanxi Loongs 109-96.

Shenzhen started both Jared Sullinger and Shen Zijie, aiming to strengthen its paint, but it was Beijing rookie forward Chen Guohao who grabbed the spotlight early on, as the 2023 top draft pick nailed 12 points in the first quarter to help his side build a 33-29 advantage.

Chen continued his scoring output in the second period, and coupled with Kay Felder's consecutive baskets, helped Beijing maintain its lead, while Sullinger buried two straight 3-pointers to keep Shenzhen within striking distance. The hosts trailed 56-59 going into halftime.

Shenzhen began the second half strongly, riding on a 14-0 run in five minutes to turn a two-point deficit into a 78-66 lead. Chen and Liao Sanning's shots from beyond the arc helped snap Beijing's scoring drought in the third period, but veteran Zhou Peng hit a buzzer-beating jumper as Shenzhen carried a nine-point margin entering the final period.

Shenzhen got the ball rolling afterwards. After Beijing pulled within 88-84, Zhou had a three-point play and Feng Xin followed with a 3-pointer as Shenzhen pulled away again, and Sullinger's corner 3 extended Shenzhen's lead to 18 points with two and a half minutes remaining, effectively securing the win.

Shenzhen outscored Beijing 61-38 after the break. Sullinger posted 31 points and 15 rebounds, and Shen also registered a double-double of 23 points and 12 boards. Gu Quan added 17.

"Our players withstood huge pressure, and won this game through defense in the second half," commented Shenzhen coach Zheng Yonggang.

In his first playoffs campaign, Chen shot 10 of 17 to finish with 30 points in a losing cause. Felder and Liao had 27 and 15 points respectively.

Zhejiang gained the upper hand in the first half, leading 64-45 at halftime, and was not seriously threatened from there.

Five Zhejiang players scored in double figures, led by Hu Jinqiu's 35 points and 13 rebounds. Star guard Sun Minghui contributed 10 points and 13 assists in his first game since March 21.

On the Shanxi side, Yuan Shuai and Zhang Ning scored 23 points apiece.

Shenzhen will face the defending champion Liaoning Flying Leopards in the best-of-five quarterfinals, while Zhejiang's next opponents will be the Guangdong Southern Tigers.

The last quarterfinal spot will be decided between the Shanghai Sharks and the Beijing Ducks on Tuesday.

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