The Shanghai Sharks extended their winning streak to 15 games with a commanding 112-81 victory over the Guangzhou Loong Lions at home on Friday in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).
Shanghai started strong, with Li Tianrong assisting Li Hongquan for an early layup, establishing an 11-5 lead. However, Guangzhou fought back, taking the lead after a three-pointer from Yuan Zhaoyao.
The game remained tight until Kenneth Lofton Jr. converted a second-chance layup to tie the score at 63-63. Lofton then connected with Wang Zhelin, who scored a layup to put the Sharks ahead late in the second quarter.
Li Tianrong was pivotal in the Sharks’ surge, nailing a corner three-pointer to stretch the lead to 23 points. Eric Bledsoe contributed by setting up Li for another three, adding to Li’s career-high 31-point performance.
Yuan Tangwen’s long-range three extended Shanghai’s advantage to 27 points. The Sharks dominated the remainder of the game, ultimately winning by 31 points. Their 15th consecutive victory places them in 12th position in the standings.
In another matchup, the league-leading Guangsha Lions defeated the second-placed Shanxi Loongs 111-78 at home. Despite an early push from Shanxi’s Brandon Goodwin, who scored consecutive layups to give the visitors a nine-point lead in the second quarter, Guangsha rallied back.
Barry Brown Jr. spearheaded the Lions’ comeback, hitting a deep three-pointer to cut the deficit. Assisted by Sun Minghui, Brown sank another three, helping Guangsha lead 50-41 at halftime. Brown continued his stellar performance after the break, finishing with a game-high 38 points, including seven three-pointers.
Zhao Yanhao’s assist to Josh Carlton for a layup cemented the Lions’ dominant win by 33 points. Guangsha secured their sixth consecutive victory and extended their home winning streak to 16 games, solidifying their position at the top of the standings. Despite the loss, Shanxi remains in second place.
Reference(s):
CBA: Shanghai claims 15th straight win, Guangsha defeats Shanxi
cgtn.com
