Point guard Zhang Yunsong returned from waist injury to scored 32 points, leading the Beijing Ducks to a 117-110 victory over the Bayi Rockets in the second phase of the playoffs of the Chinese Basketball Association.
Beijing took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series, which serves as the quarterfinal of the playoffs.
The second game and the third one, if necessary, will be played on Bayi's home court at Ningbo, Zhejiang Province this weekend.
Zhang, who sprained his waist last Wednesday in a match against Xinjiang Guanghui, buried 7-out-of-14 from behind arc in his first game after return.
Center Menk Bateer had 27 points and ten rebounds while Nigerian Olumide Oyedeji collected 17 points and 18 rebounds for Beijing.
Veterans Li Nan scored 31 points while Zhang Jinsong chipping in 29 for the Rockets.
In other games, Yunnan beat Liaoning 125-120.
Defending champions Guangdong defeated Jilin 102-94 while Jiangsu outclassed Xinjiang 108-97.
(CRI March 24, 2005)