In a thrilling CBA matchup on Friday, the Shanghai Sharks triumphed over the Guangsha Lions with a final score of 92-88, marking the Lions' first losing streak of the season.
The game kicked off with Li Tianrong and Kenneth Lofton Jr. leading the Sharks to an early 8-0 advantage. Despite missing their star point guard Sun Minghui, the Guangsha Lions responded with strong offensive plays, tying the game at 16-16. Shanghai's Wang Zhelin sealed the first quarter with a four-point lead of 20-16.
Both teams struggled with three-point shooting in the first quarter, missing 13 of 16 attempts. Determined to dominate near the basket, Wang and Lofton Jr. helped Shanghai execute a 9-2 run, pushing their lead to eight points at halftime with a score of 45-37.
The second half saw Lofton Jr. and Li Hongquan continue their offensive prowess, while Wang and Bledsoe's defensive steals facilitated easy transition baskets for Shanghai, expanding their lead to 63-41 in the third quarter. Although Guangsha's Hu Jinqiu and Zhao Jiaren mounted an 11-0 run, the Sharks maintained a comfortable lead of 73-59.
In the final quarter, Zhao and Barry Brown led Guangsha's comeback attempt, narrowing the gap to just four points with 15 seconds remaining. However, the Sharks held firm, securing a hard-fought victory and handing Guangsha their first loss of the season.
Other notable results from the night include:
- Ningbo Rockets 110-101 Fujian Sturgeons
- Nanjing Monkey Kings 115-93 Jilin Northeast Tigers
- Liaoning Flying Leopards 121-93 Qingdao Eagles
- Shanxi Loongs 117-115 Guangdong Southern Tigers
- Beijing Ducks 99-83 Sichuan Blue Whales
Reference(s):
Shanghai give CBA leaders Guangsha first losing streak of season
cgtn.com
