The 2004-2005 CBA league begins its post season playoffs on March 9 and the playoffs proceed in three stages.
First (best of 3 series): In the southern division, regular season top-ranking Jiangsu face fourth place Yunnan, while second place Guangdong face the third Bayi Rockets. Then the two winners play a best of 3 again to decide the top and second positions of the division, while the other two compete for the third place. In the north, champions Liaoning face fourth Jilin, and second Beijing go against Xinjiang. (March 9-20)
Second (best of 3): All four teams from the South and North advance to the interdivision playoffs. The first and second teams from each division will face the fourth and third place teams from the opposite division respectively to compete for the semifinal berths. (March 23-27)
Third (semifinals and final, best of 5): Slated for March 30-April 23 and in the semifinals and finals, teams in the front rank will have one more host game.
(China.org.cn by lx March 9, 2005)
