The Beijing Ducks soared to a thrilling 108-98 victory over the Shanghai Sharks on Thursday night, marking their third consecutive win in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) and effectively ending Shanghai's four-game winning streak.
Despite Shanghai battling through back-to-back games and missing their star center, two-time CBA MVP Wang Zhelin, the Ducks showcased resilience and strategic gameplay. The spotlight shone brightly on Beijing's newly-signed American guard, Zachary Nutall, who made an impressive debut with 20 points and eight assists.
The game started intensely, with Shanghai's home center Zhou Qi dominating offensively, drawing two fouls from Kenneth Lofton Jr. While Eric Bledsoe and Li Hongquan contributed three triples for Shanghai, Nutall responded with six straight points, bringing the first quarter to a close at a narrow 29-28 in favor of Shanghai.
In the second quarter, Eugene German and Richard Solomon fired up Beijing with back-to-back three-pointers, initiating an 11-0 run that prompted Shanghai to call a timeout. Despite efforts from Li Hongquan and Li Tianrong, Beijing outscored Shanghai 33-23 in the quarter, leading 61-52 at halftime.
The third quarter saw Solomon and German extend Beijing's lead to 75-61, but Shanghai countered with a 13-2 run, narrowing the gap to 78-76 by the end of the period.
In the final quarter, Bledsoe and Li Tianrong hit three-pointers early on, but Zhou Qi, along with teammates Zeng Fanbo and Zhai Xiaochuan, fortified Beijing's defense, creating a no-fly zone around the rim. Their defensive prowess stifled Lofton Jr. and Bledsoe, allowing Nutall to seal the game with a decisive layup.
The Beijing Ducks' victory not only halts the Shanghai Sharks' momentum but also solidifies their standing in the CBA as they continue their winning streak.
Reference(s):
Beijing Ducks ends Shanghai Sharks' four-game winning streak in CBA
cgtn.com
