In a stunning upset at the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) on Tuesday, the Shenzhen Leopards halted the Zhejiang Golden Bulls’ impressive 10-game winning streak with a thrilling 105-102 victory on the road.
Despite sitting near the bottom of the standings, the Leopards showcased remarkable resilience and determination against one of the league’s top teams. The first quarter set the tone for a fiercely contested match, ending in a 21-21 tie.
Zhejiang attempted to seize control in the second quarter, with Wang Zilu’s three-pointer giving the Golden Bulls a brief seven-point advantage. However, Shenzhen’s Trevor Thompson swiftly turned the tide. Thompson, along with veteran Sonny Weems, energized the Leopards’ offense. Weems executed a brilliant solo run before Thompson powered through double coverage to score under the basket. Demonstrating both strength and agility, Thompson’s nimble footwork added crucial points, allowing Shenzhen to extend their lead to 14 points by halftime.
After the break, the Golden Bulls launched a formidable comeback. Led by Gabe York, Zhejiang chipped away at the deficit. York’s decisive drives to the basket and a sensational three-pointer with just 12.3 seconds remaining narrowed Shenzhen’s lead to two points. Despite the late surge, the Leopards held firm, sealing the game and ending Zhejiang’s winning streak.
In another noteworthy matchup, the Fujian Sturgeons snapped their 15-game losing streak by defeating the Jiangsu Dragons 103-96 on home court.
Both teams have struggled this season, with Fujian entering the game with only one win out of 23 matches, and Jiangsu just one place above them in the standings at 3-21. The Sturgeons’ victory was fueled by standout performances from Zou Yang and Zeng Lingxuan, each contributing over 20 points.
Jiangsu started strong with an 11-2 run and maintained a seven-point lead after the first quarter. However, Fujian quickly closed the gap. By halftime, Jiangsu still held a slight advantage, but the momentum shifted in the third quarter. Young talents Zou and Zeng propelled the Sturgeons ahead by three points entering the final quarter. Zou continued his offensive onslaught, scoring five consecutive points to widen the gap to 11. Fujian maintained their composure down the stretch to secure their second win of the season.
These significant victories for Shenzhen and Fujian not only shake up the CBA standings but also highlight the unpredictability and competitive spirit of the league.
Reference(s):
CBA: Shenzhen end Zhejiang's winning run, Fujian beat Jiangsu
cgtn.com
