Yi Jianlian poured in game-high 26 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the Guangdong Southern Tigers to a 86-84 home victory over the Bayi Rockets on Wednesday evening. Guangdong led a 2-0 aggregate in the best-of-seven CBA playoff finals.

The Southern Tigers won the game by dominating inside play, outrebounding the Rockets 44-22.

Du Feng netted 19 points with five rebounds for Guangdong. Zhu Fangyu scored 14 points. Wang Shipeng and Jason Dixon combined for 23 points and 17 rebounds in the win.

Li Nan paced Bayi with 21 points and 4 rebounds. Mo Ke and Chen Ke gained 16 points apiece. Mo had 7 boards and 5 assists. Li Ke also reached double figures with 10 points for the visitors.

Guangdong trailed 19-17 after the first period but Jason Dixon came off bench to push the Southern Tigers to a 47-45 lead after halftime and 67-62 after the third quarter. The Rockets could had tied the game to OT had Li Ke made the final jumper in the last minute.

Game 3 and 4 will move to Ningbo on Saturday and Sunday.

(China.org.cn April 13, 2006)