Jonathon Simmons (center) of Shanxi Loongs goes for a lay-up during the 1st round playoff match between Guangzhou Loong Lions and Shanxi Loongs at the 2021-2022 season of the Chinese Basketball Association league in Nanchang, East China's Jiangxi province, April 5, 2022. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

NANCHANG - With Jonathon Simmons' 34 points and 11 rebounds, the Shanxi Loongs eliminated the Guangzhou Loong Lions 2-1 in the best-of-three first-round series in the 2021-2022 Chinese Basketball Association playoffs on Tuesday.

The two sides kept making three-pointers at the beginning of the game to sneak up on each other. Shanxi had a five-point lead to wrap up the first half after Chen Yingjun's buzzer-beater floater for Guangzhou

The two sides kept making three-pointers at the beginning of the game to sneak up on each other. Shanxi had a five-point lead to wrap up the first half after Chen Yingjun's buzzer-beater floater for Guangzhou.

Simmons knocked 10 points off the bench in the third quarter, helping Shanxi gain a 20-point lead.

Shanxi maintained the lead in the last quarter, winning the match 114-93 to advance to the second round. Sophomore Zhang Ning pocketed 23 points and seven rebounds, Yan Pengfei contributed 17 points and nine rebounds.

TJ Leaf had 19 points and 13 rebounds for Guangzhou, while Chen scored 21 points.

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Shanxi played well in guarding rebounds; they grabbed 53 rebounds including 14 offensive rebounds for the victory, while Guangzhou only had 40.

Shanxi will play against the regular-season title holder Liaoning next round.