The Beijing Ducks triumphed over the Shanghai Sharks with a decisive 108-98 victory on Thursday night, halting the Sharks' impressive four-game winning streak in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) and marking Beijing's third consecutive win.
Shanghai faced challenges with back-to-back games and the absence of their starting center, two-time CBA Most Valuable Player Wang Zhelin. In contrast, Beijing showcased strong performances, particularly from their newly-signed American guard Zachary Nutall, who debuted for the team by contributing 20 points and eight assists.
Beijing's home center Zhou Qi displayed exceptional aggression on offense from the start, drawing two fouls from Kenneth Lofton Jr. Despite initial setbacks, with Eric Bledsoe and Li Hongquan hitting three-pointers to give Shanghai a 24-19 lead, Nutall responded with six consecutive points, narrowing Beijing's deficit to just one point, 29-28, by the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Eugene German and Richard Solomon energized Beijing with three-pointers, sparking an 11-0 run that prompted Shanghai to call a timeout. While Li Hongquan and Li Tianrong attempted to rally Shanghai, Beijing outscored them 33-23 in the quarter, leading 61-52 at halftime.
The third quarter saw Solomon and German extend Beijing's lead to 75-61. However, Shanghai mounted a comeback with a 13-2 run led by Bledsoe, Liu Zheng, and Li Hongquan, closing the quarter with a narrow 78-76 margin.
Entering the fourth quarter, Bledsoe and Li Tianrong continued to score from behind the arc for Shanghai. Meanwhile, Zhou Qi, along with Zeng Fanbo and Zhai Xiaochuan, dominated the paint for Beijing, establishing a defensive stronghold that thwarted Lofton Jr. and Bledsoe's attempts. Nutall sealed the game with a final layup, ensuring the Ducks' 108-98 victory.
Reference(s):
Beijing Ducks ends Shanghai Sharks' four-game winning streak in CBA
cgtn.com
