The Shanghai Sharks secured a thrilling 100-93 victory against the Shanxi Loongs in a Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) showdown held in Shanghai Municipality on Wednesday. This win marks the Sharks' fourth consecutive triumph, reinforcing their impressive performance this season.
The home team showcased remarkable teamwork, with five players each contributing double-digit points. Li Tianrong and Wang Zhelin led the charge, scoring 18 points apiece. Li was particularly effective from beyond the arc, sinking four three-pointers out of seven attempts. Wang demonstrated his versatility by not only scoring but also grabbing 10 rebounds, achieving a double-double before an apparent injury forced him to exit the game in the final moments.
The Sharks took an early lead in the first quarter, thanks to Li's two successful triples, ending the period with a 29-26 advantage. However, the Shanxi Loongs mounted a strong comeback in the second quarter, driven by Brandon Goodwin and Hamidou Diallo. Goodwin's playmaking abilities were on full display as he set up Zhang Ning for a crucial three-pointer, giving Shanxi a slim one-point lead of 53-52 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Wang Zhelin stepped up his game, making six of his seven shots in the paint and adding a rare three-pointer to his tally. His stellar performance helped the Sharks build a significant lead of 81-74 going into the fourth quarter.
The final quarter saw intense action, including a memorable block by Diallo on Wang during a transition play. Unfortunately, the block led to Wang's injury as he fell awkwardly on his knees, prompting him to limp back to the locker room without returning to the court. Despite the setback, Li Tianrong and Li Hongquan kept the momentum alive for Shanghai with key shots from downtown, expanding the Sharks' lead to 97-82.
Missing multiple outside shots from Yuan Shuai and Zhang hindered the Shanxi Loongs' efforts, resulting in their ninth loss of the regular season. Currently holding the 10th position in the CBA standings, the Shanghai Sharks continue their impressive run, having won 20 of their past 22 games, including a remarkable 12-game winning streak at home.
