Guangzhou surpasses Beijing to secure final CBA playoff spot (4)

Wang Qingming (Top) of Qingdao Eagles competes against Joseph Young, April 13, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

Young continued his scoring run back from the locker room, but Wang Qingming and Zhao Tailong combined for 11 points as Qingdao came back. Johnson's second chance basket earned Qingdao a 72-71 lead heading into the final quarter.

With 4:10 remaining, Young got a chance to finish a three-point play and tie the game, but his ensuing free throw just rimmed out when Beijing trailed 88-87. On the other end, Qingdao went on a 10-0 spurt to dent Beijing's hope of reaching the playoff.

"These guys fought as hard as they could, and gave their best effort. Sometimes their best just isn't good enough," said Beijing head coach Stephon Marbury.

Young bettered the total scoring of his teammates, while four players reached double figures in points for Qingdao, led by Darius Adams' 29.

After finishing sixth in the regular season, Qingdao will face the Sichuan Blue Whales in the round of 12 matches that kick off on Friday.