The Shanghai Sharks continued their remarkable run in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) on Friday, securing their 15th consecutive win by defeating the Guangzhou Loong Lions 112-81 at home. Fueled by a dominant second-half performance, the Sharks solidified their position, now sitting in 12th place in the standings.
The game started with Shanghai taking an early lead, as Li Tianrong assisted Li Hongquan for a layup, bringing the score to 11-5. However, Guangzhou quickly recovered, with Yuan Zhaoyao hitting a three-pointer that put the Loong Lions ahead by five.
Kenneth Lofton Jr. played a pivotal role in turning the tide for Shanghai. His second-chance layup tied the game at 63-63. Soon after, the former NBA forward connected with Wang Zhelin, whose layup gave the Sharks a two-point advantage late in the second quarter.
In the second half, Li Tianrong showcased his shooting prowess by drilling a corner three-pointer, extending Shanghai’s lead to 23 points. Eric Bledsoe contributed by setting up Li for another three, adding to his career-high 31 points for the night.
Yuan Tangwen’s long-distance three-pointer further increased the home team’s edge to 27 points. The Sharks maintained their momentum, ultimately winning the game by a substantial 31-point margin.
In another exciting matchup, the league-leading Guangsha Lions defeated the second-placed Shanxi Loongs 111-78 at home. Despite a strong start from Shanxi’s Brandon Goodwin, who scored early layups to give the Loongs a nine-point lead in the second quarter, the Lions mounted a comeback.
Barry Brown Jr. was instrumental for Guangsha, sinking a long-distance three-pointer to cut the deficit. Assisted by Sun Minghui, Brown hit another triple, helping the hosts to a 50-41 lead at halftime. Brown continued his exceptional performance after the break, scoring a game-high 38 points, including seven three-pointers.
Zhao Yanhao’s assist to Josh Carlton for a layup further sealed the Lions’ victory. Guangsha’s dominant 33-point win marked their sixth consecutive triumph and extended their home winning streak to 16 games. Despite the defeat, Shanxi remains in second place in the standings.
Reference(s):
CBA: Shanghai claims 15th straight win, Guangsha defeats Shanxi
cgtn.com
