The Shanghai Sharks extended their impressive 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).
Li Tianrong set the pace early, assisting Li Hongquan for a layup that put the Sharks ahead 11-5. Guangzhou responded swiftly, with Yuan Zhaoyao’s three-pointer giving the visitors a five-point lead. The game remained tightly contested, with Kenneth Lofton Jr. tying the score at 63-63 with a second-chance layup. Lofton then connected with Wang Zhelin, whose layup edged Shanghai ahead before halftime.
In the second half, Li Tianrong was instrumental, nailing a corner three-pointer to extend Shanghai’s lead to 23 points. Eric Bledsoe contributed by setting up Li for more points, aiding his career-high 31-point performance. Yuan Tangwen’s long-range three-pointer further increased the advantage to 27 points. The Sharks maintained their dominance, closing out the game with a decisive 31-point margin and securing 12th place in the standings.
Meanwhile, the top-ranked Guangsha Lions showcased their strength with a 111-78 triumph over the second-placed Shanxi Loongs. Shanxi started strong, with Brandon Goodwin’s pair of layups giving them a nine-point lead in the second quarter. However, Guangsha’s Barry Brown Jr. responded with a long-distance three-pointer, narrowing the gap. Assisted by Sun Minghui, Brown hit another triple, leading the Lions to a 50-41 advantage at halftime.
Brown continued his outstanding form after the break, scoring a game-high 38 points, including seven three-pointers. Zhao Yanhao’s assist to Josh Carlton for a layup sealed the Lions’ 33-point victory. The win marked Guangsha’s 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 remained in second place.
