The high-flying Guangsha Lions tamed the three-time defending champions, the Liaoning Flying Leopards, with a decisive 101-88 victory on the road, marking their fourth consecutive win in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Meanwhile, the Shanghai Sharks mounted an impressive comeback to defeat the Tianjin Pioneers 132-108, extending their winning streak to an astonishing 13 games.
The matchup between Guangsha and Liaoning was the highlight of the round. In the first half, both teams battled fiercely, with Liaoning trailing by just four points at halftime. However, the tide turned dramatically in the third quarter. Liaoning faltered, struggling on both offense and defense, managing to score only 14 points. In stark contrast, Guangsha unleashed a scoring barrage, racking up 36 points in the quarter and outpacing Liaoning by a remarkable 22 points. Despite a slight resurgence from Liaoning in the final quarter, it proved insufficient as they ultimately succumbed to a 13-point defeat.
In the earlier game, concerns arose for Shanghai as Tianjin’s star forward, David James, sank three three-pointers, helping the home team build a double-digit lead. However, Shanghai’s top scorer Kenneth Lofton Jr. stepped up when it mattered most. Despite facing challenges in maintaining his composure at times, the strong interior attacker delivered an extraordinary performance, scoring a season-high 43 points.
In other action, the Guangdong Southern Tigers narrowly defeated the Shenzhen Leopards 91-84. The Shandong Kylins triumphed over the Nanjing Monkey Kings 129-116, despite the absence of their core shooting guard, Lin Wei. The Beikong Royal Fighters also enjoyed a comfortable victory, cruising to a 109-92 win against the Jilin Northeast Tigers.
Reference(s):
CBA: Guangsha stun Liaoning, Shanghai rally for 13th straight win
cgtn.com
