The Shanghai Sharks cruised to a commanding 112-81 victory over the Guangzhou Loong Lions at home on Friday, securing their 15th consecutive win in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).
Early in the game, Li Tianrong connected with Li Hongquan for a layup, giving Shanghai an 11-5 lead. However, Guangzhou responded strongly, taking a five-point advantage after a three-pointer from Yuan Zhaoyao.
The game remained tight until Kenneth Lofton Jr. converted a second-chance layup, tying the score at 63-63. Lofton then assisted Wang Zhelin for a layup, putting the Sharks ahead by two later in the second quarter.
Li Tianrong was instrumental, drilling a corner triple to extend Shanghai’s lead to 23 points. Eric Bledsoe then set him up for another three-pointer, contributing to Li’s career-high 31 points.
Yuan Tangwen’s long-distance three-pointer further widened the home side’s margin to 27. The Sharks ultimately clinched the game by 31 points, their 15th straight win placing them in 12th position in the standings.
In other action, the first-placed Guangsha Lions dominated the second-placed Shanxi Loongs with a 111-78 victory at home. Despite early momentum from Shanxi’s Brandon Goodwin, who scored a pair of layups to give the visitors a nine-point lead in the second quarter, the Lions roared back.
Barry Brown Jr. sank a long-distance three-pointer to cut the deficit to six. Before halftime, Sun Minghui assisted Brown for another triple, giving Guangsha a 50-41 lead at the break.
Brown continued his stellar performance after the interval, drilling another three-pointer on his way to a game-high 38 points, including seven triples.
Zhao Yanhao found Josh Carlton for a layup as the Lions extended their lead, eventually winning by 33 points. Guangsha secured their sixth consecutive win and maintained their perfect home record with 16 straight victories. Shanxi, despite the defeat, remained in second place in the standings.
Reference(s):
CBA: Shanghai claims 15th straight win, Guangsha defeats Shanxi
cgtn.com
