In an exhilarating display of basketball prowess, the Shanghai Sharks soared to their 15th consecutive victory by defeating the Guangzhou Loong Lions 112-81 at home on Friday. Simultaneously, the Guangsha Lions solidified their position at the top of the standings with a commanding 111-78 win over the Shanxi Loongs.
The Shanghai Sharks showcased their dominance in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), pulling away in the second half against the Guangzhou Loong Lions. The game started with Li Tianrong assisting Li Hongquan for a layup, giving Shanghai an early 11-5 lead. However, Guangzhou fought back, with Yuan Zhaoyao sinking a three-pointer to put the visitors ahead by five points.
Kenneth Lofton Jr., a former NBA forward, played a pivotal role in shifting the momentum. He converted a second-chance layup to tie the game at 63-63 and later assisted Wang Zhelin for a layup that put the Sharks ahead by two points in the second quarter.
Li Tianrong continued to shine, drilling a corner three-pointer that increased Shanghai’s lead to 23 points. Eric Bledsoe, another key player, set up Li for three more of his career-high 31 points. Yuan Tangwen’s long-distance three-pointer extended the home side’s lead to 27 points, and the Sharks never looked back, ultimately securing a 31-point victory. This win places the Sharks 12th in the standings, emphasizing their remarkable 15-game winning streak.
In other action, the top-ranked Guangsha Lions faced off against the second-placed Shanxi Loongs in a highly anticipated matchup. Shanxi started strong, with Brandon Goodwin scoring consecutive layups that gave the visitors a nine-point lead in the second quarter.
However, the Lions responded with determination. Barry Brown Jr. sank a long-distance three-pointer, cutting the deficit to six. Shortly after, Sun Minghui assisted Brown for another triple, allowing Guangsha to lead 50-41 at halftime.
After the break, Brown continued his impressive performance, drilling another three-pointer en route to a game-high 38 points, including seven triples. Zhao Yanhao’s assist to Josh Carlton for a layup further extended the Lions’ lead. Guangsha went on to win by 33 points, securing their sixth consecutive win and extending their home winning streak to 16 games. Despite the loss, Shanxi remains in second place.
The night’s results highlight the competitive nature of the CBA, with teams like the Shanghai Sharks and Guangsha Lions demonstrating exceptional skill and determination as the season progresses.
Reference(s):
CBA: Shanghai claims 15th straight win, Guangsha defeats Shanxi
cgtn.com
