HANGZHOU - The Beijing Ducks edged the Zhejiang Lions 94-92 in Game 5 of the 2024-2025 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league finals on Saturday, narrowing the best-of-seven series deficit to 2-3.

Veteran Zhai Xiaochuan, 32, sank two free throws with 10.2 seconds remaining to give Beijing the lead at 94-92. The Lions had a chance for the final shot, but Barry Brown turned the ball over, sending the series back to Beijing.

The Lions opened the game with a 7-4 lead, only to see the Ducks go on a 10-0 run to surge ahead 14-7. Brown responded with eight straight points to regain the advantage for the home side, but the Ducks closed the first quarter leading 27-22.

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The two sides traded baskets until a 46-46 deadlock, after which the Lions pulled ahead with a 6-0 run and went into halftime up 52-47.

The second half featured a tightly contested battle, with the lead changing hands multiple times. The Ducks held a six-point lead late in the final quarter, but the Lions tied the game at 92-92 after star center Hu Jinqiu buried a three-pointer. Guard Sun Minghui missed two crucial free throws, and Zhai capitalized at the other end to become the hero of the night.

"They want the championship, and we want that too," said Zhai, who previously helped the Ducks win three CBA titles.

"Luckily I finished my job, and I will do everything for my team."

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Eugene German led the Ducks with 21 points. Center Zhou Qi added 11 points and 13 rebounds, while point guard Chen Ying-Chun contributed 14 points.

Brown and Hu each scored 27 points for the Lions, while Sun added 13.

Game 6 will take place in Beijing next Tuesday.