The Shanghai Sharks soared to a commanding 100-93 victory over the Shanxi Loongs in a thrilling Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) matchup held in Shanghai Municipality on Wednesday. This triumph marks the Sharks' fourth consecutive win, showcasing their formidable presence in the league despite the game being postponed earlier in the season.
Leading the charge were star players Li Tianrong and Wang Zhelin, each delivering an impressive 18 points. Li Tianrong was on fire from beyond the arc, sinking four three-pointers out of seven attempts, electrifying the home crowd with his sharpshooting prowess. Meanwhile, Wang Zhelin dominated the paint, notching a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds before suffering an apparent injury towards the game's closing moments.
The game kicked off with high intensity as Li Tianrong drained two three-pointers in the first quarter, helping Shanghai to establish a narrow 29-26 lead. The Shanxi Loongs rallied in the second quarter, with Brandon Goodwin and Hamidou Diallo stepping up to keep their team in contention. Goodwin's setup play led to a critical three-pointer by Zhang Ning, allowing Shanxi to edge into a 53-52 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, Wang Zhelin took control for the Sharks, making six of his seven shots in the paint and even securing a rare three-pointer, contributing 13 points in the period alone. His efforts helped Shanghai extend their lead to 81-74 heading into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter saw intense action as Diallo made a pivotal block on Wang Zhelin in transition. However, the veteran center unfortunately injured his knee in the process and had to exit the game, leaving the Sharks without their key player. Undeterred, Li Tianrong and Li Hongquan kept the momentum, hitting crucial shots from downtown to widen Shanghai's advantage to 97-82.
Ultimately, with Yuan Shuai and Zhang missing multiple outside shots, the Shanxi Loongs suffered their ninth loss of the regular season, while the Shanghai Sharks, boasting a stellar 20 wins in their last 22 games—including a 12-game home winning streak—maintain a solid position in 10th place in the CBA standings.
Reference(s):
Shanghai Sharks defeat Shanxi Loongs for fourth straight win in CBA
cgtn.com
