On Friday, December 19, the Guangdong Southern Tigers narrowly defeated city rivals the Guangzhou Loong Lions 97-94 in a thrilling CBA showdown that highlighted the champions' depth over individual brilliance. Despite Lindell Wigginton's 25-point performance for Guangzhou, five Southern Tigers scorers reached double digits – led by Xu Jie and Jared Sullinger with 17 apiece – and the 11-time champions pulled away in the fourth quarter with a crucial 10-point burst. A late Shao Weiyun corner three made for a tense finish, but Guangdong held on.
The Shanghai Sharks turned in a polished performance in a 101-89 victory over the Jiangsu Dragons. Brandon Goodwin paced Shanghai with 25 points, and four teammates chipped in double digits, underscoring the Sharks' balanced approach. On the other side, rookie Pang Zhenglin continues to turn heads, dropping a game-high 32 points in just his third CBA appearance – but the Dragons slipped to their third straight loss.
These matchups underscore how roster depth and team cohesion can tip the scales in high-stakes basketball. As the midseason stretch unfolds, emerging talents and established dynasties alike are setting the tone for an electrifying second half of the campaign.
Reference(s):
CBA roundup: Guangdong edges Guangzhou, Shanghai routs Jiangsu
cgtn.com
