Liaoning Flying Leopards power forward Shavlik Randolph posts up against Sichuan Blue Whales' Mike Harris. (Photo : Getty Images)
Underdog team Sichuan Blue Whales defeated the favorite Liaoning Flying Leopards for the third straight game, 96-87 in Game 4 of their best-of-seven 2016 Chinese Basketball Association Finals series held at the Sichuan Provincial Stadium in Chengdu, Sichuan, China on Friday.
The game took place after a controversial brawling incident involving three Liaoning players scuffling with Sichuan fans in the teams' hotel lobby after the Blue Whales' 109-104 victory on Wednesday.
Yang Xuezeng's team is now leading the series at 3-1 and has the chance to close out the series in Game 5 at their home court on Sunday.
Small forward Mike Harris led the Blue Whales in Game 4 with 34 points and 10 rebounds plus two assists coming off the bench while Hamed Haddadi continued to dominate inside the paint, scoring 13 points and hauling down 20 rebounds, to help Sichuan win their first two games at home in the Finals, as per BW Live.
Sichuan's third import, Justin Dentmon, had 11 points, eight rebounds, and five assists while local players Meng Da and Zhang Chunjun contributed 15 and 14 points respectively.
The Flying Leopards were again led by two-time CBA MVP Lester Hudson with 31 points and 10 rebounds with shooting guard Guo Ailun backing him up with 18 points, five boards, and six assists.
Former NBA player Shavlik Randolph continued to struggle for Guo Shiqiang's squad, settling for a lackluster 11 points and six rebounds in almost 29 minutes of playing time during the game.
Liaoning, who hosted the first two games of the finals at their home stadium of Benxi Gymnasium, will have the series shift back to their home court in Games 6 and 7 if necessary as the middle three matches is set to be held at the Sichuan Provincial Stadium.
The Blue Whales beat the Flying Leopards in Game 2, 96-88, to gain home court advantage in the series.
Meanwhile, the Shanghai Daily reported that Sichuan was fined 150,000 yuan (US$23,160) by the CBA "for failing to provide adequate security" for the visiting Liaoning team last Wednesday that resulted to six people, including the Flying Leopards' Li Zhixuan, He Tianju, and Guo, getting hurt in a mass brawl.
It was said that local Sichuan fans started attacking a Liaoning contingent after one member from the latter made "insulting gestures" to the former.
It instigated a free-for-all that forced the Flying Tigers' players to defend their family and relatives during the incident.
