In an electrifying showdown on Tuesday, the Liaoning Flying Leopards triumphed over the Shanghai Sharks with a narrow 117-114 victory in Shenyang, marking the end of Shanghai's impressive 16-game winning streak in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).
The game ignited from the outset as Liaoning’s dynamic duo, Kyle Fogg and Li Xiaoxu, launched a series of three-pointers, propelling their team into an early 17-5 lead within the first five minutes. Despite relentless efforts from Shanghai’s Wang Zhelin and Eric Bledsoe, turnovers plagued the Sharks, leaving them trailing by ten points as the first quarter concluded.
The second quarter saw Liaoning’s center, Han Dejun, dominate the paint, further extending their advantage. Shanghai kept the pressure on with sharp shooting from Li Tianrong and Liu Cheng, but a buzzer-beating layup by Bledsoe narrowed the gap to seven points by halftime.
As the game progressed into the third quarter, Shanghai's improved spacing and efficient drives brought them within a single point, setting the stage for a thrilling final quarter. Despite Bledsoe's ejection for a technical foul, Liaoning capitalized on turnovers to maintain a slim lead.
In the dying moments, Fogg's clutch jumpers secured the win for Liaoning, as Shanghai's last-ditch efforts fell short. This victory not only halts Shanghai’s winning streak but also showcases Liaoning’s resilience and strategic prowess on the court.
In other action, the Xinjiang Flying Tigers defeated the Jiangsu Dragons 92-82, with Zhao Rui making a significant comeback to contribute 20 points, ensuring Xinjiang avoided a third consecutive loss.
Reference(s):
Li Xiaoxu's block helps Liaoning end Shanghai's 16-game winning streak
cgtn.com
